How to get started planning your destination wedding
Good Question!
Aside from the dress selection, bridesmaids' dresses, tuxedos for the guys, and normal wedding requirements. A destination wedding has some additional requirements and decisions. Here are a few decisions you will need to make when considering a destination wedding. It is just a start . The best part of a destination wedding is that it can actually save you money!
Start with a Vision
Ask yourself a few questions: What does your childhood dream wedding look like? Has that changed to something new now? What makes you happy? Are you a photographer, scuba diver, relax and decompress kind of person?
Choose a Date
Dates have meaning for many couples; the day they met, their first date, a first kiss, the day he proposed, and so on. Weekend weddings are harder so you must plan far enough in advance so you are able to get the date. Now, if you want a specific date at sunset.....get that date locked in! It is not unheard of to plan a destination wedding 12-24 months in advance to get that perfect date and time. If you are flexible, all the better.
The Ceremony
Where would you like the ceremony to take place?
Toes in Sand on the Beach
Near the beach
A Flower Garden (think about bees)
A Tropical Rainforest
A Volcano in the Background
By a Pool
On the Lawn
In a Church
All of these factors will help to choose a resort or venue.
Think About Budgets
Yes, plural. First, consider what do you want to spend on the wedding events, your stay, and your honeymoon. Next, think about what you want your guests to spend for their stay in the tropical paradise you have chosen and for how long. One shout-out to All Inclusive resorts is that meals and drinks are covered. This is usually a great option for both you and your guests.
Get Help!
Destination weddings or any wedding for that matter are a lot of work! There are details upon details, deadlines to meet, payments to make, family squabbles, linens, seating charts, save-the-dates, invitations, ocean view or suite, and so many decisions. Let's not forget the hair, makeup, dress, and tuxes. Head spinning yet? A travel consultant trained in destination weddings can help you. For the all-inclusive mentioned above, your travel consultant will seek out the ones that offer included events, promotions, and savings. Their job is to be your advocate. Meet with a few until you find one that fits your personality, you feel comfortable with, and one that understands what you want.
Symbolic Ceremony or Legal Ceremony
This question is important! Symbolic ceremonies are the easiest because there are little if any legal requirements. Legal ceremonies can involve, translators will be performed in the native language of the location chosen, blood tests, affidavits, government officiants, extended stays, and so on. This means extra costs as well. So, if you want a legal ceremony to understand what will be required.
Guest Count
How many people will you invite? How many will come? How long will they stay? Are children invited and at what ages? This will be important in selecting the resort to ensure everyone is happy.
The guest count also determines perks that you might be able to receive from the hotel. Your consultant will help you here because you will be required to block rooms and place a deposit to block them and lock in the price. Blocking the right number of rooms is critical to ensure there are enough rooms but not too many so that you don't lose deposits.
Pick a Destination
Sometimes choosing a destination and choosing a resort come hand in hand. Maybe you were engaged in Mexico and want to return for your wedding. Or you and your husband-to-be have always wanted to go to Costa Rica. If you know where you want to go, first mystery solved! One to the next one.
Pick a Resort
There are so many to choose from and this can be a daunting task. When working with a travel consultant, unless one resort is just perfect and checks all the boxes for you, your consultant will likely provide a few options based on your needs, budget, guest count, and type of wedding to name a few to help you decide where.
Tieing it all Together
Yes, there is a lot to do for your special day. This is only a small list. The sooner you involve the help of a destination wedding specialist, the sooner you can get rid of the stress and start pulling everything together with their help. The resort coordinator will be the person at the resort that will work with you and get the final details of events, dinners, etc, but by then, usually, 90 days before the wedding, you will have spent the last year working with your travel consultant to be ready.
Visit our destination wedding page at www.wheretosayido.com
At Vibrant Travel we research, plan, and book destination weddings, honeymoons, and travel for curious travelers, couples, busy professionals, and groups looking for authentic experiences. We save our clients hours of searching the internet and precious time trying to pull together all the details needed to create memorable, hassle-free trips. We would love to help you too.
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