Destination Weddings: Long Distance Planning
Most couples would like to celebrate their wedding in the most perfect place possible or on the beach of their dreams away from the city. For the sake of practicality, a destination wedding would be the ultimate solution if you want to have an intimate wedding but leave each guest pampered in an event you’ll never forget. If you’re still in doubt about how much preparation the wedding would need or what exactly you should expect, here’s the rundown on how to plan from miles away.
King and queen for a day. Are you tired of the traditional wedding that you have been to a dozen times? Getting married is a great opportunity for your wedding to be original and personalized. Make your own revisions based on the theme and turn it into a dream wedding. You can play with the elements, incorporate special details and create the most ideal setting; you call all shots at everything.
map it. The venues available for destination weddings are endless – you don’t have to settle for the idea of a beach wedding if you don’t like it. Disneyland, Napa Valley, Paris, Santorini, and even a scuba wedding under the sea – it’s all about you and your fiancé. When choosing, consider the venue’s peak season, affordability, accessibility, and whether any previous weddings have taken place there before.
It’s a family thing. Face it: if most of the guests who come are family, it will turn out to be a gathering. Will there be children accompanying us? Are you expecting grandparents too? Plan the location properly so that everyone ends up having a good time and you too end up stress free. Always explain the details of the trip and confirm with the guests if they are suitable for long flights or continuous transfers on the way.
Be extra prepared. Although reservations for hotels, restaurants, and nearly all vendors associated with destination weddings can be made online, you’ll still need to hire a local on-site wedding planner or a professional destination wedding planner. They get a better idea of all the supplies available and where to get cheaper prices to help you save on decorations. Plus, they can give great suggestions on group activities in the local area for post-wedding bonding. Extra help can be both a plus and a minus at the same time, ensure open lines of communication and always get everything in writing if possible.
How much? Don’t be afraid to ask or call and ask. You can choose to splurge or be practical at a destination wedding, similar to a home wedding. Reduce the guest list, shorten the number of days, stay at a cheaper hotel, or choose a more affordable location to reduce airfare. Do-it-yourself invitations or escort cards, or better yet, convince your uncle to take over the day after brunch as a wedding present. Research every detail and always have options for everything to maximize the budget.
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