If you haven’t already noticed, destination weddings are the newest trend to hit travel. Planning a wedding can be stressful as it is without even thinking about the honeymoon. However, planning your wedding and honeymoon in the same destination can take out a lot of the stress, as well as creating an unforgettable experience. Today we share some tips for planning a destination wedding.
1. Plan your wedding around the people that support your vision. Not everyone of your friends or family is going to understand why you choose to get married in Barbados. Trying to convince and accommodate them can be a frustrating predicament. However, if there’s a must-have guest and the problem is money, then consider paying for all or a portion of those guests’ travel to make their attendance possible.
2. Communicate your intentions. In line with the first tip, let your guests know why you have chosen the venue or destination. Does it have a special meaning to you and your fiancé? Do you want to keep your wedding small and intimate? Communicating these intentions, as tough as it may seem, will keep everyone on the same page.
3. Make it a convenient destination. If you want to have as many guests as possible attend, then make it easy by choosing a destination that is within four hours flying time. For further convenience, schedule a Saturday ceremony and choose an all-inclusive resort.
4. Give advance notice. Whether you are having a small or large wedding, give your guests plenty of notice – at the very least, nine months. Save-the-date cards are very helpful in this situation, as they are quick to distribute and let your guests know what to expect. Set up a wedding website with all the details to avoid frequent phone calls.
5. Hire a wedding consultant. If you don’t have time or you just want help with the planning process, then consider hiring a destination-wedding consultant either stateside or in the destination you plan on having your ceremony. This can save time and reduce planning fatigue.
6. Keep things as simple as possible. It’s easy to get caught up in all the logistics and hurdles of planning a wedding, but take time to remember why you are doing this. Is it to keep things simple and drama-free? Many of the small decisions you make can help make for a wedding that is both beautiful and stress-free.
7. Find a resort that matches your interests. Know your style and find the resort or venue to match your vision. Don’t look at prices first, as the price may be right but everything else wrong. The destination can often make or break your wedding.
8. Be nice. This may seem so simple, but can often be the first thing to go when planning gets stressful. Remember to be kind to your guests throughout the planning process from the beginning to the end. Go as far as to include a welcome gift upon their arrival. Most resorts will coordinate an in-room gift or you can bring your own gifts for a more personalized thank you.
[youtube=6PNWb7fLDZE][/youtube]Do you want to learn more about planning your dream destination wedding? Visit the Inspired Destination Weddings website, a branch of Travelex International.
