21 Nov Planning Your Destination Wedding? Here’s What to Know
Many dream of their wedding day, and for many, having a destination wedding is a part of that vision. Destination weddings are often more intimate, and in many cases, it can make the celebration feel much more meaningful and authentic, especially if the location plays an important role. Plus, having a destination wedding means you can go 2 for one since you can have your wedding and then your honeymoon in the same vicinity, and it allows your guests to use the opportunity to also get a vacation out of it. However, while having a destination wedding sounds exciting (and it is!), it does require extra planning and foresight. There can be language difficulties, and let’s face it, if you aren’t a local, it can make it harder to know who to use and where to go for certain things. But with the proper know-how, planning your destination wedding doesn’t have to be complicated or overwhelming.
Tips for Planning Your Destination Wedding
1. Unless you have a destination in mind that holds significant weight to you and your spouse, choose one with your guests in mind. You don’t want to choose a location that’s difficult to get to or overly expensive. Otherwise, you risk shortening your guest list. Unless you want a tiny, intimate wedding or are willing to pay for certain guests to attend, don’t make the trip to your wedding destination too expensive, long, and stressful. Instead, choose a destination that works for both you and your guests.
2. If you have never experienced your desired wedding destination location firsthand, do so. Don’t wait until your wedding day to visit. It’s important to know from experience what it is like to travel to your projected location and what it’s like being there. You can’t rely on photos and videos from the Internet to get a feel for the place; this must be done in person. Plus, doing this allows you to check out wedding venues and meet local vendors face-to-face rather than through the Internet.
3. Planning a wedding has many moving parts, and when you aren’t a local, this can make it more difficult, so be sure to hire help. Hiring a wedding planner who’s local to your wedding location can help immensely when planning your destination wedding. They can help you with the legal side of things while helping you successfully plan out the details of your wedding since they will be familiar with the local vendors and venues. Also, hiring a travel agent is recommended, as they can help arrange transportation to your wedding. Some of your guests may not be Internet savvy and might have difficulty making travel arrangements otherwise.
4. When you are securing your date for a destination wedding, be sure to consider the season and the climate before you book. For instance, for a destination wedding held on the beach, getting married during hurricane season is not ideal. Also, if you get married during peak season, the location can be crowded, and things are often more expensive. So if you want fewer people for a more intimate wedding, getting married during the off-season might be the ideal choice. However, sometimes, certain amenities may not be available during the off-season, so make sure you research before settling on a date.