So what is a destination wedding and is it too complicated to bother? If you have been lured by the thought of having a destination wedding but don’t know what it entails, we have put together some factors you will want to consider when trying to decide if this is what you want for your special day.
There is some extra planning but this is a wonderful way to step away from the more traditional type of wedding and turn it into an experience you will cherish forever.
What Is A Destination Wedding?
A destination wedding is one that you and your guests are going to have to travel to get to. Very often, it’s a popular tourist destination. This could be in the same state you live in or it could be another country. These weddings are usually smaller and more intimate because only your closest family and friends will be able to attend.
Where Are You Going?
The very first thing you need to decide is where it is going to be. This decision will impact every other decision about your wedding plans. This will determine the cost, the theme of your wedding, and who will be able to attend.
If you are planning on going to another country to be wed, make sure you understand the wedding laws in that area. The easiest thing to do is to get your marriage license in your own country and just have the wedding at your destination be a symbolic wedding. This will eliminate many of the hassles that you might face when trying to get married in another country.
Find A Package Deal
If you are looking for a popular destination to hold you ceremony, many of these hot spots offer package deals. Although this is a more affordable option, there will also be a few limitations and it’s up to you to decide which is most important to you. You may have to use the vendors and caterers that they use.
These packages also come with hotel accommodations for guests so they won’t get to choose where they want to stay. If you don’t want to stay in that particular hotel, you can choose a different one but that will add considerably to the cost.
You might want to consider hiring a wedding planner that lives near the area or resort that offers the package deal. It can be very difficult to orchestrate your plans from abroad, so hiring a wedding coordinator to take care of everything can take away much of the stress from the unknown.
Be sure that you thoroughly inspect and read all the fine details about the wedding package so you don’t have any surprises when you arrive at your destination.
Be Sure There Are No Other Big Events Going On
Many people get married in the spring and summer which is the busiest time for vacationing tourists. Be sure that there are no other big events at the resort or in the area that might interfere with your plans. If you feel like a particular holiday or event might clash with your plans, find a different hotel or go at a different time.
Plan For A Weekend With Your Guests
If this is a long trip, no one wants to travel far for an event that lasts only a few hours. Be sure that you make plans for you and your guest for a few days. Very often, this will be over a weekend.
Find some fun things for you and your guests to do together. For instance, if you go to the Bahamas, schedule a snorkeling trip for everyone. If it’s near a popular tourist attraction, arrange for a local tour guide to take you all to see the sights. After the weekend, you and your new partner can enjoy the rest of your honeymoon in leisure without having to entertain.
Although you will have to plan for other people, this is still your special day. Now that you understand what a destination wedding is and what to consider, you can have a wedding that will forever be etched into your memory as well as the memories of your guests.