planning a destination wedding?
More and more people are opting for a destination these days, and I can’t blame them! From traveling to the caribbean to sipping wine in Napa Valley, what could be more fun then getting all of your closest friends and family together and traveling to some place fabulous (assuming everyone gets along)?!
Anyway, a few things to keep in mind as you start to make your plans…
Location, Location, Location.
If it’s important that the majority of your invitees attend the wedding that pick a place that is semi convenient for travel (planes, trains, and automobiles!). The more remote the location, the harder it is to get to. That’s great for a honeymoon but maybe not so great for the 30+ people you have coming with you.
Who to hire and how
If you must hire your vendors sight unseen, ask for references and a portfolio of pictures. If you’re already working with a hotel then they are a good resource for respectable companies in the area. Know somebody else that got married at that location? They are the perfect people to get in touch with!
If it’s in the budget, don’t hesitate to fly in vendors you trust from home for important aspects such as the wedding photography, hair and makeup, and decor design (lighting, flowers). At the very least you can always get in touch with someone at home and have them advise you on the right questions to ask and things to look for.
Get Help (this is my favorite one!)
If your wedding package already includes a planner then kudos to you! If not, you may want to consider taping into the mind of a planner to help you on this destination journey. Doing this will relieve a lot of the stress of sifting through the researching and meeting with/securing local vendors. A lot of time can be lost on phone tag especially if there is a time difference, all of which your planner can deal with instead of you. It’s also go to have a “runner” on-site to deal with all the behind-the-scenes details like creating and delivering the welcome bags, greeting everyone at the airport, keeping people busy with fun activities once there, dealing with special requests (babysitters, dry cleaners, etc.), and getting everyone where they need to be on time.
Your Bridal Party
When asking your friends/family to be a part of your special day make sure to include the fact that it’s going to require a bit of travel! The truth is that the destination may restrict some people from being able to attend and unfortunately that could include people you’d like to be a party of your bridal party.
Check the weather!
Things like humidity, rain, and hurricane season should be on your list to check before booking your destination. And don’t forget about the type of dress you have in mind, you’ll want to consider the climate before making such a big purchase.
Transportation
Unlike a wedding where most of the guests live in the area, your guests will most likely need some assistance along the way. Think about providing transportation to and from the airport, as well as to all the events of the weekend. If this isn’t in the budget then provide your guests with as much information as possible on how to get around town.
Thanks for the presents! Now what?
You may want to let your guests know that they should have any presents sent to your house instead of lugging them on the trip. I would think this would be a bit of common sense but you never know!
Welcome Bags
Who doesn’t love to be greeted with a box of goodies?! I have enjoyed some delicious welcome bags as a wedding guest and am always so appreciative that the bride and groom thought of it in the middle of all their wedding planning madness.