You’re getting married! Now the fun can begin. It’s time to plan your wedding, and the first decision that needs to be made is the location. Where will you tie the knot? Destination weddings have grown in popularity over the past decade, fueling the growth of a $70 billion industry. If you have been dreaming of a destination wedding, there are a lot of things to consider. Follow this simple guide to plan your destination wedding like a pro.
Choose the Right Spot
Image from Flickr by JW Marriott Guanacaste
When you’re choosing the perfect destination for your destination wedding, there are several factors to consider. The first, of course, is the weather. While weather can be unpredictable, even for local weddings, do your research and make sure you’re not planning to exchange vows in the middle of monsoon or hurricane season at your chosen locale.
Secondly, do your guests a favor, and try not to plan your vacation during peak traveling seasons when fares are high. Airline and hotel costs are significantly higher during spring breaks and summer vacations, so by planning your wedding during the off-season, you can save your guests (and yourself!) quite a bit of money on travel expenses.
Make sure that you visit the venue before planning to celebrate one of your most important moments there. Pictures that you see online don’t really let you know how a place will feel when you are there, and visiting in person can help you avoid choosing a location that is extremely difficult to find or access.
Double Check the Marriage Laws
If you plan on getting married overseas, you will definitely want to check the marriage laws in the destination you choose before making any firm plans. Marriage laws vary from country to country, and even between different states in the US. Check the marriage laws in the destination of your choice well in advance of your planned nuptials.
Enlist Local Help
While wedding packages offered by resorts and hotels can often come off as a bit bland, a wedding planner or event planning professional in the location of your choice can really be an effective choice to help make your day special.
Hire someone local to your destination who can be there even when you can’t. A seasoned wedding planner can potentially recommend local photographers, florists, and caterers for your big day. It may also be helpful to enlist a travel agent, who can arrange travel plans and accommodations for you and your guests, as well as help with information about attractions in the area that you may want to visit while you are there.
Be Flexible
Planning a wedding is difficult on its own, but planning a destination wedding adds an extra layer of challenge to your big day. Remember that not everything has to go perfectly to make your day a memorable one. Try to relax and enjoy your day. Understand that even when things aren’t exactly “right”, they will still give you and your significant other a great story to share later.
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