Thank you to our Guest Contributor Kay Cater for this wonderful article…………
Destination weddings are becoming an increasingly popular trend among newly engaged couples.
In fact, almost one in four weddings is a destination wedding.
These types of weddings provide couples with scenic ceremonies, unique receptions, and a vacation full of memories with friends and family.
A wedding outside the bride’s and groom’s hometowns also provides the option to combine the ceremony and honeymoon into one trip.
If you’re serious about planning a destination wedding, here are several factors to consider.
Where you want the wedding to be…
Many couples are intrigued by picturesque mountains and castles, or resorts offering luxurious ocean views and warm weather on their special day.
When it comes to planning a destination wedding, couples may choose a location they find nostalgic, like the site of their first vacation or proposal.
What you want the wedding to look like…
Wedding planner Fiona Deans-Dundas told Ideal Bride it’s crucial to have a style guide for wedding planning conversations.
For destination weddings, a Pinterest board or old-fashioned collage will help prevent miscommunication between the bridal party and the venue.
With the long-distance planning necessary for these types of events, it may be too late to make changes when the couple arrives onsite, so be sure to have as much planned and secured ahead of time.
Your budget…
Many couples make their marriage ceremonies unique with customized favors and social media hashtags, but a customized destination comes with a higher price tag.
According to House Method, destination weddings can cost more than traditional events.
When considering these types of ceremonies, it’s important to create a budget to determine the cost of holding your wedding in a dreamy locale.
Standard items such as chairs, tables, lights, and a dance floor may need to be brought in for an additional charge.
Note that there can be less options in remote locations when it comes to choosing vendors, entertainment, and caterers, so be sure to plan ahead and make room in your budget for these items.
Additionally, there are some standard uncertainties (think: the weather, an unexpected illness, or lost luggage) that come with taking a trip like this.
Because of this, consider researching and investing in a wedding insurance policy.
The size of your wedding…
The size of a destination wedding may be more intimate than a traditional ceremony. But this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t think about the guests you’re inviting.
Invited guests may feel overwhelmed due to the large expense of hotels and flights, in addition to taking time off to attend the nuptials.
If you’re planning a destination wedding, send the save the date information at least six months before your big day — this will help guests prepare and save up to attend the wedding.
Couples should prepare themselves that not all invited guests will be able to travel for the occasion.
For the guests that make the effort to travel, local attractions and sightseeing opportunities should be presented in advance of the trip in the invitation or wedding website.
It’s also helpful to offer transportation options if the majority of guests will be flying in for the wedding.
Brides and grooms should take it upon themselves to organize a welcome event to introduce guests in advance of the exchange of vows.
Legal issues…
Getting married in another country can also be a legal challenge.
According to USA Today, some nations may have residency or citizenship restrictions for couples looking to get married.
There can also be high administrative fees to transfer the marriage certificate back to your home city. Some couples choose to get legally married before embarking to their dream venue.