When you are planning a destination wedding, this can provide a unique experience. A wedding and a honeymoon rolled into one! In recent years, destination weddings have boomed in popularity. But pulling them off successfully is rarely an easy feat. There are passports, hotels or resorts, and, of course, guests to consider before you say ‘I do.’
Here are some things that you need to ask when you are planning your destination wedding.
Date of the wedding
It is a key factor to consider, especially if you want your wedding in a country that you are not familiar with. Climate and season will make a huge impact on the wedding you want to have. For instance, if you want to marry in the Caribbean, you will want to avoid hurricane season!
It is also worth considering tourism in your chosen location. If you are looking at resorts in Maui, Hawaii, for your honeymoon, it is worth exploring when they are busy. If you choose a specific time of year, you might benefit from special offers. Getting married on one of the long stretches of pristine beaches and heading back to a quiet but luxurious resort after the big day is over could be divine for you.
Notifying guests
A guest list for a destination wedding should not be extensive. This is to save on costs and stress.
When planning your wedding in an exotic location, you will need to send out save-the-dates. These should be sent out at least 12 months prior to the wedding date. This allows your guests to make the appropriate arrangements and book flights.
Costs
Saving for a destination wedding is likely to be costly. However, you may also have questions about who pays for everything. Another important question to ask is how much does a wedding cost? Do you need to pay for your guest’s accommodations, for example?
When inviting people, it is best to explain what they are responsible for paying. But do so gracefully, or you may lose some friends! You can help your guests by reserving hotel rooms in blocks. But state that they are responsible for booking rooms within that block and paying for them.
That way, there will be no nasty surprises for your guests or yourself.
Travel
You may also have concerns relating to booking flights for your guests. You don’t have to, but it can be a great gesture to ease the stress that they may feel. This is a great time to consult with travel agents. Look for those who have experience planning destination weddings. They are pros at finding the best group deals and can save an enormous amount of stress.
Be sure to communicate with your guests about travel plans. Perhaps start a group chat on social media to help you all stay in regular communication?
Hire a professional
This list can seem daunting and stressful, especially if you have an excess of responsibilities already! So, it may be worth hiring a professional wedding planner.
While it can seem like an extra expense, these people can save you hours of worrying. They will work with you but will take the load off, making your wedding a beautiful day rather than being associated with calling travel agents and caterers. They will also know a lot about the industry as a whole and may be able to save you money on bookings.
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