Think of your destination wedding as a perfect getaway with your beloved, friends, and family. Of course, being away from the home base also means not having complete control of every aspect, which makes advance planning even more essential. The most Amazing destination weddings are the ones that are planned and executed well, and if you are ready for your big day, here are ten pertinent suggestions to consider.
- Understand the cost: A destination wedding involves a few add-on expenses. That includes travel costs, stay, and arrangements. While decor and catering are non-negotiable for any wedding, you may spend a tad more in a distant offshore location.
- Meet a planner first: Many couples think of a budget straight away without having a comprehensive overview of what the wedding may cost. Your first step should be to find a planner specializing in destination weddings. A team that knows how to deal with such arrangements can give you a more realistic idea of the costs.
- Shortlist at least a few destinations: Whether you are keen on a beach wedding or want to take your vows in the rainforest, there are endless choices for venues and locations. You may have a specific place in mind, but it’s best to have alternatives. Seasonal changes and logistics could affect your initial plan.
- Consider your musts: Couples usually have a few things in mind that they don’t want to negotiate, and that gives the planning team a good idea of how to proceed with arrangements. Consider aspects that matter to you the most. Is it the backdrop or decor? Are you keen on getting married close to the shoreline?
- Create a tentative guest list: You should know the headcount before you discuss travel plans with the planner. Some people will agree, and others might initially give a nod but ditch it later. Offshore destination weddings need a solid itinerary, and therefore, a guest list is always useful. Also, make sure to contact everyone and ask for confirmation.
- Get visual ideas: Wedding planners must show pictures and videos of their recent events, and if they don’t, you have every right to ask. Make sure you know whether their arrangements and themes align with your ideas, and if there is a mismatch, ask for detailed plans so that everything is in sync.
- Check local laws: You want to be sure that getting married at the destination of your choice is a legal thing to do. There are also requirements and local laws that you must adhere to. If your planner has already handled weddings in the same location, they should be able to give you a complete overview of the documentation required.
- Consider local culture: Cultural aspects are just as important. You don’t want to do anything that is likely to offend the local people. Make sure you check whether there are religious or other considerations that may affect your customs. The last thing you would want is chaos.
- Go through food options: While adding local cuisine to your wedding menu is a good idea, you want to be sure your guests have options. Destination weddings allow you to explore beyond the usual catering choices but make sure you check every detail and consider the general preferences of the attendants.
- Don’t micromanage: Once you get a reliable and reputed wedding planner, the last thing you should do is micromanage their work. Yes, you have to call and get updates from time to time, but that’s it. Get a concrete plan and ensure they are sticking to the approved aspects. You don’t have to chase the team each day.
Your wedding should be fun and memorable, and when flying to an offbeat or distant destination, you don’t want to spend time worrying about minute details. Let the wedding experts take care of your expectations.
