Destination weddings are a very popular choice for brides today. They can be a fun mini vacation. Imagine spending several days with your closest family and friends relaxing and having fun. Whether you dream of a Caribbean beach or an Italian Villa there are many options for the get-away bride.

A destination wedding can be less work than a traditional wedding. Many hotels and resorts offer wedding planning and services. Some resorts even offer free wedding packages for booking with them. They are usually very basic and do not include many frills. They can be a nice option if you are on a tight budget.

Many Resorts and hotels offer pre arranged packages. They vary in price, but can be a hassle free option. These packages can include important aspects of your wedding such as the justice of the peace, cake, decoration, and dinner for a set amount of guests. Most of these packages are for just the couple or a group less than 10. You just have to look around.

Your guest list will determine the budget. You need to decide if you want a small intimate gathering or a large bash. Be realistic though there may be some close friends and family who will decline you invitation because of the expense. There are many ways to cut your costs and theirs. I will give you more information latter on.

Start your planning as soon as possible. With destination, weddings there may be unexpected requirement you would not face with a typical wedding. You may have to have blood tests, immunization records, or a doctors certificate to legally marry. You might also have to establish residency, and have permission to marry at your location, or fulfill a specific waiting period before you marry. You will need a local mirage license and a passport if you choose an international location.

Obtaining a marriage license in a foreign country can be tricky call the local city hall. If you do not speak the language, get an interpreter. To find out more information about marrying in a different country visit the US State Department at www.state.gov.

Ok you are dreaming of a destination wedding, but take a reality check. Some of your closest family and friends may not attend. Do not get upset, though you are footing the bill for the wedding costs. Your guest will be responsible for travel, hotel, and car rental fees. Not to mention the other cost guest incur for a normal wedding. This can really add up especially for families. So be gracious if they choose to decline. On this note let your friends, whom you plan to ask be part of your wedding party, know the location of you destination. Do this before you ask them to be a part of you wedding. This way they can decline gracefully if finances are tight.

Guests should pay all their own expenses, with the exception of the wedding party. Traditionally the bride and her family cover the lodgings cost for the bridal party. The groom and his family cover the cost for the groomsmen. With this in mind if your heart is set on having as many or your friends and relatives attend there are ways to cut costs for your guests.

Choose a less expensive destination or one that offers a wide variety of lodging and dinning options. Consider an off-season date. All age and all-inclusive resorts are another way to save. If you are choosing a cruise, low season is May through November to the Caribbean or Mexico.

Contact your travel agent and hotel to see about group deals. Consider reserving a block of rooms at two different hotels in different price ranges. Provide plenty of built in activates for you guests. You may also want to provide transportation to and from the airport and the event.

You may want to set at least 10% of your budget aside for a wedding planer. Some hotels and resorts will have a wedding coordinator. You may even have a close family member or friend who lives in the area you choose. This will save you some of the stress of planning a wedding that is not in your area. You need someone on location to talk with vendors and take care of details involved in wedding preparation. Make sure they are reliable, they know what you want, and keep to your budget.

They will be responsible for researching, auditioning, and securing local vendors. This will help if the vendors speak English as a second language.

You may want to take a trip to the location before the wedding to take care of some of the details in person. Schedule a test run with your transportation provider. Your guests are dependant upon you once they arrive. Provide transportation from the airport as well as all the events. Make sure your transportation provider knows the route for the ceremony to the reception. You do not want to be lost on your wedding day.

You will want to check out your venues, vendors and suppliers. Make sure you schedule tastings. Visit you florist to see sample bouquets and centerpieces. Do not forget to find a local hair and make up artist and pre view your wedding look. You may want to bring some of your own vendors. They can supervise the local vendors and make sure you wishes are carried out. This of course will be more costly.

Be gracious with you local vendors. Send handwritten thank you notes and possibly small gifts when you book their services. Keep small bills in local currency on hand during the wedding. This will help out when small problems arrise and expedite service with your vendors.

Pack wisely when you travel you will have to lug all of this stuff with you. Leave plenty of room for your dress. You may want to arrange to have many of the things such as guest books, unity candles, and ring bearer pillow shipped before hand. Make plans for these things to be stored until the wedding.

You may receive many gifts, both physical and monetary. You will want to arrange for these before the wedding. It will be one less thing to worry about. You can either ship your gifts or ask a friend or family member to take them home with them. They can keep them until you return from your honeymoon or drop them off at your home. You will also likely receive money as a gift. Set up a bank account in you destination city before the wedding. After the wedding deposit the money in your account to be wired to the account in you home town.

Mostly remember to relax and enjoy your day. Do not stress the small stuff. Things are bound to go wrong at any wedding in any location. If you just let yourself go, you will not remember those tiny mishaps ten years down the road. This is your day enjoy it.