Dreaming of a Destination Wedding? 7 Tips for the Perfect Destination Wedding

A destination wedding is a dream come true for many brides.  While jetting to a foreign country to marry your true love is exciting, there is a lot to consider to make your big day truly special.  Here are 7 things to keep in mind as you start planning:

1. Choose your destination wisely.  While that quaint out-of-the-way town in Italy may seem idyllic, it may not have all the amenities to accommodate your guests or your plans.  Think of all the things you need – from caterers and florists to hotel accommodations – before you choose your destination.
2. Give your guest plenty of advanced notice.  Destination weddings are fun, but they also mean a higher cost for your guests to attend.  As soon as you have chosen your date and location, let your friends and family know so they can start planning how they will pay for it (and also get the time off from work).
3. Check out the venue in advance.  It might sound economical to choose your venue and your various vendors from home, in the long run it is best to check everything out in person.  That way, you can be confident that, barring any disaster, your day will be as you envision.  If the extra travel is not feasible, your travel planner will be able to help you decide on the right venue.
4. Research local marriage requirements.  While getting married overseas sounds like a good idea, you will want to make sure that your marriage is legal.  Many countries have a residency requirement before getting married.  In most cases, it isn’t more than a few days or a week (although in France it’s 40 days!).  You can avoid the headache altogether by tying the knot before you leave in a civil ceremony.  That way, you can be sure you are officially married when you say “I do” in front of your guests.
5. Hire a planner.  A destination wedding is no time to go DIY.  There are too may moving parts and you are most likely not familiar enough with the venue and surrounding area to properly plan your special day.  Consider hiring an expert in travel and destination wedding planning to take care of all the details.
6. Be flexible.  There are bound to be a few hiccups along the way.  Take a deep breath and problem solve as these situations arise.  If you hired a good destination wedding planner, chances are they will know exactly what to do and will have a Plan B already in place.
7. Don’t forget the fun.  Since this is a destination wedding, chances are that your guests will arrive a few days before the wedding and stay a few days after.  Make sure that you plan some fun activities for your family and friends to take advantage of everything your destination has to offer.

Destination weddings are a great way to celebrate your big day.  Whether your destination is Hawaii, Mexico or some exotic locale, let Luxury Destinations concierge help you with your destination wedding or honeymoon plans.  Give us a call at (805) 236-4437.