Destination weddings have the potential to be unforgettably amazing, but every bride or groom should know they are hard work too. All weddings have an expected level of stress attached, but destination weddings add more planning factors into the mix than a stay-at-home event. Therefore, they require an extra degree of organizational ability which doesn’t come naturally to some people. With that in mind, the following guide is filled with useful advice for having a successful destination wedding.
Hire a Planner
The most common piece of advice for planning a wedding abroad is to outsource that planning to external professional services. A credible example of such a service is this destination wedding planning branch of the wider events company, MTI.
The advantages of using this type of service are multiple. For example, they can relieve the stress level on what is already a highly demanding event and free up more time for the fun part of things. They are better connected with travel agents to get accurate information about flights, hotels, etc. Similarly, a professional planner will be better able to negotiate with external wedding suppliers in the chosen destination country. They can handle the communication aspects of collaborating guests and those with an integral role in the wedding party. Additionally, their job is to ultimately solve problems. So, if a problem comes up, chances are high that the planner will have a quick and credible solution to fix it.
Stay on Budget
It is very easy to overspend when planning any event, never mind a wedding. No matter how hard you plan, something always comes up which costs more in some aspect. Some things cannot be planned for, and that is what emergency expense funds are for. Stay in your budget wherever possible. Debt as a result of a party is not a stress-free way to start life as a married couple.
Make a Website
One way to keep everyone in the loop and update all those in attendance is by creating a wedding website. This way, essential updates can be put forward on one universally accessible platform. If there is any news, or a problem arises, this is also a good place to ask for help. A wedding website can be as simple or as cheesy as you like, it is down to personal style and taste.
Usual information to include is firstly the venue and a map of the venue. Some people even go as far as to include directions from the airport. Next, include all the details or a scan of the invite. Then, add who the wedding party is and a small snippet around the couple getting wed. You may also want to include dress code information – such as what is expected for the reception and whether or not there is a theme to adhere to. And lastly, a refresher of the menu and food arrangements on the day for people to refer back to is a nice addition.
Guests enjoy having as much information as possible, so a website really is the best point of consistent, but updatable, reference.
Have a Shared Diary with Key Players
When talking about key players, this is about the matron/maid of honor, the best man, groomsmen, bridesmaids, mother and father of the bride, and mother and father of the groom. Now, not every wedding party has a full bill, but even the smallest weddings have to have witnesses. A destination wedding will have at least a handful of guests that have a role in the day. These people need to be kept in the loop as much as possible about time management and varying expectations in the run up to the wedding and for the wedding day itinerary.
That is where a shared calendar or diary is extremely useful! These can be easily set up online or through a variety of apps and shared through email or similar. Anyone with access can add events and reminders, and the bride or groom can keep people up to date with current events more easily all around.
Do Everything Well in Advance
The advantages of using this type of service are multiple. For example, they can relieve the stress level on what is already a highly demanding event and free up more time for the fun part of things. They are better connected with travel agents to get accurate information about flights, hotels, etc. Similarly, a professional planner of weddings in mexico, and other popular destination wedding locations, will be better able to negotiate with external wedding suppliers in the chosen destination country. They can handle the communication aspects of collaborating guests and those with an integral role in the wedding party. Additionally, their job is to ultimately solve problems. So, if a problem comes up, chances are high that the planner will have a quick and credible solution to fix it.
Give as Much Information as Possible
There are naturally a few people that you are closer to and bound to be in constant contact with around wedding plans, for example, a maid of honor. However, this means that sometimes other guests can be forgotten about. It is especially important for a destination wedding that as many people as possible are given as much information as possible. This is not only the proper etiquette for such events, but it is just a considerate thing to do given the expectation associated with people traveling to another country to see you tie the knot.
You can use the sending invitations stage to send out additional details and information. Details that you should include are things like:
- Hotel information near the venue
- Dress code expectations
- Travel information (flights, local taxis once landed, shuttle buses, car hire)
- Food options for the day
- Date, time, and exact location of the ceremony and reception
- Information about anything extra that has been planned outside of the wedding day
- Local culture to observe and weather expectations
- Don’t ask for gifts!
A destination wedding, just like a non-destination wedding, will be a special day regardless. If there is a place close to your heart, maybe where you both met, and you both dream of making it a focal point in your ceremony, there is nothing stopping you! People love to attend a celebration such as this and will move mountains to be there.
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