12 Steps to a Successful Destination Wedding
Destination weddings are a wonderful way to make one of the most memorable days of your life even more amazing. Do you dream of a wedding on the beaches of a country or a distant African island? Or maybe in the city where you and your future spouse fell in love? But you don’t know where to start to bring your special day to life? Planning a wedding can be quite challenging, especially for a destination wedding. The good news is that destination weddings are more mainstream and accessible these days, and bringing your dream wedding to life won’t be as difficult as you think. Destination weddings also come with many benefits that can streamline the wedding planning process. With a clear vision and a Wedding Planner to help you, you can achieve all of your wedding goals.
When you choose to have a destination wedding, you should know that your special day becomes the trip of a lifetime. It turns into something more than a great week of memories with your family, friends, and future spouse that will last a lifetime. Then it gives date flexibility! Do you want to plan a tropical wedding in February? A destination in the southern hemisphere is made for you! The same is true if you live in a tropical area but want a dream wedding on top of a mountain. However, it can be harder to personalize your day. Some couples choose to hold their ceremony and reception at a resort when opting for a destination wedding. This can help streamline your big day planning tremendously, but the all-inclusive nature of these venues isn’t for you if you want to add details that will make the wedding uniquely yours. Hiring a wedding planner and asking potential venues for customization options is the best way to avoid this hurdle if they’re important to you.
Destination weddings can help you trim down your guest list without the guilt. They’re a great way to justify inviting only your loved ones, since extended family you’re not as close with aren’t as likely to travel for your ceremony. There’s one thing you need to think about when deciding on a destination wedding: legality. Each country has its own set of laws governing marriage. Be sure to thoroughly research the legal considerations of your chosen destination as soon as possible with your wedding planner. Many of my clients prefer to officially get married in their locality before flying out for their ceremony in order to have peace of mind. So we’ve now dived right in, let’s walk you through everything you need to get started in 12 steps, planning a destination wedding.
STEP 1: CHOOSE YOUR DESTINATION
Obviously, the first step in planning a destination wedding is choosing a venue! Think back to your favorite vacation as a couple or a destination you’ve always dreamed of doing together. What do you like about the location? Does the weather play an important role? Do you like people and culture? Has architecture inspired you? Is there a dream destination on your bucket list? The answers to all of these questions will help guide you to a wedding venue.
STEP 2: SET A BUDGET
Once you’ve decided on the perfect venue for your destination wedding, it’s time to set your budget. It is very important to do this before you start evaluating the locations and choosing the decor so that you do not get involved in the planning process too early. Once you’ve established your budget, you can start making planning decisions. Your first major decision will be whether to take on the weight of the planning yourself or opt to work with a wedding planner. Working with a wedding planner who specializes in the destination, local or not, but who knows how to work in that destination will take the stress out of planning an event in an unfamiliar location and be one of your best investments. The wedding planner will recommend reliable and experienced venues, florists, photographers and other service providers. They will most likely end up saving you money in the long run, which will cover the cost of hiring them.
STEP 3: ANTICIPATE YOUR WEDDING SIZE
At this point, it’s also important that you put together a preliminary guest list to understand the size of the wedding you’re going to need to budget for. Asking guests to book travel, accommodations, and possibly take a few extra days off or away from their children will usually reduce the number of people who actually attend your destination wedding. It is estimated that approximately 40% to 60% of guests at a destination wedding will respond and attend. Knowing that your guest list will likely be smaller than if you’re having your wedding in your hometown means you can pamper your guests with entertainment and thoughtful touches, which will further enhance the experience.
STEP 4: FIND AN EXPERT WEDDING PLANNER
Your Wedding Planner will be your main contact throughout this process. As I mentioned before, a Wedding Planner who knows your wedding destination will make the planning process easier and help you better manage your budget. This is essential to ensure that the entire planning process runs as smoothly as possible. Choosing the right venue, the right caterer, and the right customer experiences can be overwhelming if you don’t know your location. Do your research and find a Wedding Planner who has developed business relationships with vendors, local activities. Finding a Wedding Planner with in-depth knowledge of your destination is even more crucial if you don’t speak the local language, as they will also act as a translator and liaison between you and all of your vendors.
STEP 5: RESEARCH HOW TO MAKE IT LEGAL
Be sure to research the legal requirements for legal weddings in your destination country well before your big day. Ask yourself if your marriage will be a symbolic celebration or a legal union? Do you want your marriage to be legally recognized in the country where you are getting married? Your answers to the questions above will help determine your next steps. If you and your partner want your marriage to be legally recognized in your destination country, additional steps may be required. Many countries, for example, require a certain period of residency before you can apply for a marriage license. (France, for example, requires proof of living at a French address for at least 30 days before submitting a civil claim.) Many couples choose to have a legal ceremony in their city before their destination wedding. If this is your choice, be sure to complete the necessary wedding paperwork and make an appointment in your city if necessary (requirements vary from country to country). Note that many countries are still facing processing delays due to COVID-19 closures, so I recommend that you do it as soon as possible! When it comes to getting married abroad, it’s best to expect the unexpected. Investing in wedding insurance will help protect your financial investment and provide you with some emotional assurance. Also, some places require it. subscribe well in advance of your wedding day (although some companies may adapt to a tight deadline, it’s best to settle it early) and be perfectly clear about the policies in place and the type of coverage you accept.
STEP 6: SEND SAVE THE DATE EARLY AND KEEP GUESTS INFORMED
Be sure to send save the dates to guests as soon as you have confirmed your wedding location and date. It is advisable to send it 9 months to a year before your wedding to give your friends and family plenty of time to plan. It’s a good idea to list your wedding website on your save the date, so guests can keep up to date with accommodation recommendations, travel checklists, and tips. Remember that while traveling is always exciting, it can come with its own demands. Your wedding website should remind your guests that they may need to update their legal documents, such as IDs and passports, before booking their tickets. International travel may also require additional documentation that differs from domestic travel guidelines, so be sure to brief your guests. Your invitations can be sent 3-4 months before your wedding date, and be sure to use your wording to reiterate travel requirements and considerations at this time!
STEP 7: CHOOSE YOUR VENDORS
Researching and booking your vendors as far in advance as possible is key, no matter what type of wedding you’ve decided to plan. Typically, you’ll begin this process as soon as your venue is confirmed, and it’s always a good idea to speak to your venue to understand if it has any preferred vendors.
STEP 8: PROPOSE AND RECOMMEND ACCOMMODATIONS
Accommodation is one of the top concerns for clients when planning a destination wedding. Guests will feel much more comfortable sleeping in a facility that hosts other wedding guests. (It will also be much more fun for everyone!)
STEP 9: PLAN THE MOOD OF YOUR WEDDING
The location, setting, food, flowers, and surrounding culture will help create an unforgettable ambiance for your destination wedding, but subtle decorations can also help drive a theme forward. Think about how you can present wedding signs, menus, table favors to amplify the theme of your destination wedding. A hashtag that guests can use when posting photos on social media can also reinforce the theme of your wedding. Think of a clever way to link your wedding location to the phrase you choose. For example #partnersinparadise or #happilyeverbordeaux — have fun with it!
STEP 10: PLAN EVENTS AROUND THE WEDDING
Extend your celebration by planning additional events outside of the big day. Guests will always enjoy additional activities. Although you don’t have to plan the entire wedding weekend, a welcome party to greet everyone is a popular choice. You can combine it with your rehearsal dinner or have a more informal get-together for a larger group afterwards. A nice welcome reception and get-together would be a great experience for the two families to bond and get to know each other. Some couples also include interactive activities that highlight the locations, such as group tours or tastings. You can even end the wedding weekend in style and bid farewell at a post-wedding brunch or lunch.
STEP 11: PAMPER YOUR GUESTS
Show hospitality by offering welcome bags once guests arrive. Fill them with objects that speak of the place or that will provide some comfort during their stay. Things like water bottles, snacks, maps, and aspirin are great additions. For hot destinations consider sunscreen or aloe vera, while alpine environments are conducive to hot chocolate mixes or mittens. Your wedding will be the highlight of this trip for everyone, but creating memories during your stay is also important. It is rare to meet up with family and friends in a distant destination, so take advantage of it! Planning short day trips, spa treatments or exploring the city together will make your wedding unforgettable. Be sure to list some of the getaways you have planned on your wedding website so guests can decide.
STEP 12: PLAN YOUR HONEYMOON
Consider extending your trip as part of your honeymoon. You can stay a few extra days at your wedding venue or plan to travel to neighboring cities and countries. Traveling from one destination to another can be quite affordable since you’ve probably already traveled the longest route.
You now have all the keys to take the plunge and choose the destination wedding. If you find this article relevant, tell me in the comments and even more! contact-me I would be happy to help you start this journey by starting with the planning. commençant par la planification.
