Destination Weddings
Top 10 Destination Wedding Tips
Run Thru Wedding at the Las Vegas Rock and Roll Marathon
A destination wedding can be a special way to celebrate your love. Destination weddings can be found in popular wedding locales such as Jamaica and Las Vegas, but a destination wedding can happen anywhere in the world. Destination weddings happen on cruise ships, islands, in home towns, or favorite places. Planning a destination wedding is slightly different than planning a wedding close to home. Below are several things to consider when planning a destination wedding.
1. Get a wedding coordinator
Whether you hire your own wedding coordinator or work with the site’s wedding planner on location, your life will be better for having some assistance planning your big day. The more complex, expensive, and exotic your destination wedding will be, the more important it is to have a talented wedding coordinator. Some destinations and venues include a wedding or event planner in the wedding or reception package price.
2. Select your location in the world
If you are considering several possible wedding locations, carefully weigh these factors before committing to the destination:
--What are the marriage license requirements in that locale?
--Will the destination provide the type of ceremony/reception venue you want?
--Will you be traveling there during the prime season?
--Will it be problematic for guests to travel there?
3. Negotiate deals and package prices
Negotiate a package price when possible and don’t hesitate to ask for a few “extras” to be thrown in for the bride and groom during the stay. It is critical that you are realistic about the total cost and stick to your wedding budget, no matter how tempting it may be to add on all the features and activities available at the destination. Set a reasonable budget and remember that those nickels and dimes for add-ons really add up quickly. To keep costs down for your guests, consider negotiating a block of rooms (without a minimum number commitment) in several price ranges around the area.
4. Consider the guests you invite
Of course, it is important to review the guest list to ensure you keep tight control on the budget. But, it is also important that you consider who you will spend time with during your stay. It may seem like a good idea to invite all your extended family, but remember that those same individuals may want to spend time with you before, during, and after the wedding (especially if they have traveled great distances to see you or are not independent travelers). Do you want to have breakfast with Great Aunt Helen each morning of your wedding getaway?
5. Plan and schedule carefully
Carefully plan your ceremony and reception. Logistics like transportation issues can make it challenging to coordinate a destination wedding. Plan all your activities for the full duration to ensure you are prepared for the length of time you will be traveling. Also, consider your dining plans for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Are there multiple dining choices nearby? Most importantly, do not over-schedule yourself. Be sure to leave plenty of down time throughout your wedding travels and block out time to spend privately with your beloved. When making your final wedding and travel schedules, remember that everything will take longer than expected. Develop a backup plan for all foreseeable situations, then don’t worry about those situations. Power goes out? Embrace a candle-lit ceremony and meal. Planes are delayed? Hold an impromptu party in the lounge.
6. Select vendors wisely
When selecting vendors for photographs, music, cake, or transportation, consider which ones are truly critical to your big day. Only pay for those that will add to your enjoyment. Don’t hire a DJ just because you think you should. To keep costs low, consider asking family or friends to take on vendor tasks. Perhaps a family member will agree to pick up a local sweet treat to serve at the wedding, rather than serving a traditional wedding cake. Or you may have a friend who will set up the music or serve as the master of ceremony. If you do choose to hire vendors, use the venue’s preferred vendors to simplify things. They are more likely to have set up in that particular location before.
7. Include travel details in the invitations
To simplify travel plans for your guests, provide them with as many details as possible. Include helpful information with the wedding invitations. Consider starting a wedding website to provide guests with destination and travel details as early as possible. But, be careful not to become the family travel agent on top of everything else you must do for the wedding. Simply provide the information to potential guests, tell them that you hope they can make the wedding, and do not get drawn in to any dramatics over each traveler’s particular situation. Accept now that some will be able to make the wedding and some may not.
8. Decide what you can really bring with you
Because you should always pack light when traveling, consider how everything will be transported there and back. Consider bringing only small items that can be packed in a suitcase or ship items to the destination (although there can be a fee for the checked bag or to receive packages at the venue). You may also want to request that no gifts be brought to the wedding to avoid having to get them back home. Instead, ask guests to buy gifts on your wedding registry that you can pick up at the local store once you return home. Finally, don’t plan to “buy it when you get there” for any items that are critical to the event. If it is important to you, bring it with you in your carryon bag.
9. Make assignments to your bridal party members
Have your bridal party members assist you when possible. Make it very clear what you need them to do to help you and when they can help. Then, just go with the flow—accept that things will change, fall through, or be missed.
10. Enjoy your time together!
No matter what, this is your wedding. Don’t let it pass you by while you are distracted by other things. Plan in advance, then slow down and let go of expectations. Enjoy each other and your time together as a couple.
1. Get a wedding coordinator
Whether you hire your own wedding coordinator or work with the site’s wedding planner on location, your life will be better for having some assistance planning your big day. The more complex, expensive, and exotic your destination wedding will be, the more important it is to have a talented wedding coordinator. Some destinations and venues include a wedding or event planner in the wedding or reception package price.
2. Select your location in the world
If you are considering several possible wedding locations, carefully weigh these factors before committing to the destination:
--What are the marriage license requirements in that locale?
--Will the destination provide the type of ceremony/reception venue you want?
--Will you be traveling there during the prime season?
--Will it be problematic for guests to travel there?
3. Negotiate deals and package prices
Negotiate a package price when possible and don’t hesitate to ask for a few “extras” to be thrown in for the bride and groom during the stay. It is critical that you are realistic about the total cost and stick to your wedding budget, no matter how tempting it may be to add on all the features and activities available at the destination. Set a reasonable budget and remember that those nickels and dimes for add-ons really add up quickly. To keep costs down for your guests, consider negotiating a block of rooms (without a minimum number commitment) in several price ranges around the area.
4. Consider the guests you invite
Of course, it is important to review the guest list to ensure you keep tight control on the budget. But, it is also important that you consider who you will spend time with during your stay. It may seem like a good idea to invite all your extended family, but remember that those same individuals may want to spend time with you before, during, and after the wedding (especially if they have traveled great distances to see you or are not independent travelers). Do you want to have breakfast with Great Aunt Helen each morning of your wedding getaway?
5. Plan and schedule carefully
Carefully plan your ceremony and reception. Logistics like transportation issues can make it challenging to coordinate a destination wedding. Plan all your activities for the full duration to ensure you are prepared for the length of time you will be traveling. Also, consider your dining plans for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Are there multiple dining choices nearby? Most importantly, do not over-schedule yourself. Be sure to leave plenty of down time throughout your wedding travels and block out time to spend privately with your beloved. When making your final wedding and travel schedules, remember that everything will take longer than expected. Develop a backup plan for all foreseeable situations, then don’t worry about those situations. Power goes out? Embrace a candle-lit ceremony and meal. Planes are delayed? Hold an impromptu party in the lounge.
6. Select vendors wisely
When selecting vendors for photographs, music, cake, or transportation, consider which ones are truly critical to your big day. Only pay for those that will add to your enjoyment. Don’t hire a DJ just because you think you should. To keep costs low, consider asking family or friends to take on vendor tasks. Perhaps a family member will agree to pick up a local sweet treat to serve at the wedding, rather than serving a traditional wedding cake. Or you may have a friend who will set up the music or serve as the master of ceremony. If you do choose to hire vendors, use the venue’s preferred vendors to simplify things. They are more likely to have set up in that particular location before.
7. Include travel details in the invitations
To simplify travel plans for your guests, provide them with as many details as possible. Include helpful information with the wedding invitations. Consider starting a wedding website to provide guests with destination and travel details as early as possible. But, be careful not to become the family travel agent on top of everything else you must do for the wedding. Simply provide the information to potential guests, tell them that you hope they can make the wedding, and do not get drawn in to any dramatics over each traveler’s particular situation. Accept now that some will be able to make the wedding and some may not.
8. Decide what you can really bring with you
Because you should always pack light when traveling, consider how everything will be transported there and back. Consider bringing only small items that can be packed in a suitcase or ship items to the destination (although there can be a fee for the checked bag or to receive packages at the venue). You may also want to request that no gifts be brought to the wedding to avoid having to get them back home. Instead, ask guests to buy gifts on your wedding registry that you can pick up at the local store once you return home. Finally, don’t plan to “buy it when you get there” for any items that are critical to the event. If it is important to you, bring it with you in your carryon bag.
9. Make assignments to your bridal party members
Have your bridal party members assist you when possible. Make it very clear what you need them to do to help you and when they can help. Then, just go with the flow—accept that things will change, fall through, or be missed.
10. Enjoy your time together!
No matter what, this is your wedding. Don’t let it pass you by while you are distracted by other things. Plan in advance, then slow down and let go of expectations. Enjoy each other and your time together as a couple.
A Helpful Checklist of Items to Bring:
- Guide books of the destination
- Directions and maps of the area
- Healthy food, drinks, and snacks for travel
- Cameras and other tech gadgets
- Medications and other personal necessities
- Decorations and flowers (that travel well)
- Sentimental items (small items only)
- Wedding license and other critical documents and tickets
- Passports and other forms of Identification
- Credit cards
- Gift cards/coupons/discounts to use at the destination
- Wedding dress and/or suit
- Shoes, underthings, and socks to wear with dress/suit
- Bride and Groom emergency kits
- Packable clothes steamer or local dry cleaning service (if needed)
- List of assignments for each person in bridal party
- Copies of the wedding schedule
- Phone numbers of bridal party members and wedding coordinator
- Appropriate clothes for all weather conditions, locations, settings, and activities
