Planning a Destination Wedding

Destination weddings may seem like they’re hard to plan, but they can actually be easy AND save you money. If you’re still freaking out about planning from afar, don’t fret. We’re giving you some tips to help ease the stress and make the process as enjoyable as it should be!

Location

Location is the most important factor when planning a destination wedding because the destination should be meaningful to the couple. However, it is important to keep in mind the destination needs to have all the resources you’ll need for guests and the actual wedding. Location will also help determine how many guests might end up coming; very remote destinations are likely to discourage fringe guests from attending (which can be a good thing if you want a smaller crowd but don’t want to offend anyone by not offering up an invite).

Research

This is important because you want to make sure you’re looking at all the possible locations, hotels, vendors, etc. since you want to know what you’re actually getting. If possible, visit your destination to see everything in person and make your final choices. If traveling to the locale is not possible, you may want to look into hiring a wedding planner that is local to the area of your wedding, so that you have a man-on-the-ground contact.  Nowadays, though, most destinations have such extensive websites and video tours that you should be able to get a good sense of a location even if you don’t have a point person to visit it for you.  It’s always a good idea to read reviews, too, as you are surely not the first bride to plan a wedding from afar.   

Another important note: look at local marriage requirements since some countries require you be there for a certain number of days before the ceremony. We also have known couples who opt to legally marry in their home state either before or after their destination wedding in order to cut down on the red tape of marrying in another country.  They still have a ceremony and reception at the location of their choice, and their guests are none the wiser.  

Let guests know in advance

Guests need to know well in advance of the wedding, so they can plan accordingly for transportation and lodging (around 10-12 months, especially if you’re getting married at a popular destination and/or during peak season). To help your guests save money, arrange group rates for airfare and hotels.

Hire a planner

Hiring a planner will save you a lot of time, especially one who is specialized in destination weddings. You won’t have to worry about language barriers or trying to make decisions from far away. If a planner isn’t in your budget, consider a resort that has a good event coordinator.

Keep weather in mind

When choosing the date, make sure to know what’s going on at your destination at that time. Things like hurricane season or sweltering temperatures are important to keep in mind. Weather is also an important factor in choosing a dress and deciding on what the groom and groomsmen should wear. You don’t want to be drenched in sweat or rained out on your perfect day!

Saving money

Who would’ve thought a destination wedding could actually save you money? It’s true! If you’re from a big city like New York City or Los Angeles, weddings can typically be very expensive since venues and vendors are in high demand. Having a destination wedding can cut those costs. You can also save money by utilizing local food and flowers. We know many brides feel that beach weddings require much less decor (read: fewer flowers, lower floral bill) than a wedding in a banquet hall or church.  With outdoor destination weddings, you can allow nature to be your (FREE!) decoration.

Wedit works wonderfully for destination weddings as it allows you to control the videography (and not hassle with finding the right vendor for the job).  Plus, you won’t miss a single second of action as you have the cameras for the entirety of your trip!  We make sure your cameras arrive before your departure, and we make it simple to send them back when you return to the States.