How to Organize a Stress-Free Destination Wedding
How can I organize a destination wedding?
With the world becoming a global village, more and more couples are choosing to have destination weddings each year. This is because destination weddings are cute, intimate and the memories they create last a lifetime. Destination weddings are also relatively cheap compared to the local ones: this because most tropical destinations offer cheap wedding packages and guests caters for their own accommodation and travel cost. However, all is not glitz and glamour. Destination weddings can truly be a pain in the neck for many couples, especially when it comes to making decisions.
Below are some tips you can use to organize a stress-free wedding as you start your marriage journey.
1. Choose a destination you are comfortable with
Choose a wedding destination that matches your taste and preference. It is important that it’s fun, exciting and romantic. It should also have all the essential resources and amenities you and your guests need. Remember, a wedding is a once in a lifetime event: you should make it as beautiful and exciting as possible.
2. Choose the perfect weather
Do your research and pick a month where the weather is friendly to avoid surprises that can seriously dim your colorful day.
Perfect weather will help you enjoy your wedding without worrying about your guests freezing.
3. Find out the legal requirements
Different countries have different marriage requirements. Other countries do not even recognize marriages from other countries. Make sure that you research the laws of your country and the destination countries such that you organize all the necessary paperwork to make your marriage valid. Find out all the required documents you need to take with you to avoid obnoxious surprises in the future.
4. Visit your wedding destination
It is very important to visit the destination of your choice before the real wedding day. This will help you to get in touch with the local wedding planner, service providers, and the destination crew. This is the perfect opportunity to secure key venues like the reception and hotel for your guests. It is also the time for you to make inquiries and find out all that the needs before the big day. Alternatively, if visiting your wedding destination before is costly, make sure that you arrive at the destination 6 days before the D-day to make the last touches
5. Notify your guests ahead of time
The best part of a destination wedding is that guests pay for their travel and accommodation. The worst part of it is that you are putting a big financial burden to your guests let alone disorganizing their normal routine like work and other obligations. Be kind enough to invite your friends and family 7 months to the wedding such that they can prepare themselves both financially and physiologically. This will give them ample time to select good wedding presents for you, secure good deals on flights and accommodation.
6. Hire a local wedding local planner in advance
A local wedding planner will help you solve the problems of:
- Language barrier
- Making endless calls to the florists, makeup artists, photographers etc.
- Screening through vendors
Additionally, local wedding planners will do everything possible to make your destination wedding a warm and colorful event. Thankfully, many resorts offer a wedding package with a wedding planner. However, if the resort you have booked does not include this in their package, consider getting a hotel staff to guide you.
7. Book a reasonable hotel for your guests
Much as they are going to pay for their own accommodation, consider getting them a less expensive hotel which is near the wedding venue. Consult with your wedding planner on where you can find a cheap hotel
8. Pick the vendors wisely
There are many vendors online. It is advisable that you use a fine tooth comb to go through them thoroughly. That is why it is very important for you to do a pilot study such that you get the chance to meet and interact with these vendors face to face. If you cannot afford a pilot study, then you can opt for a video call with a particular vendor for more instructions and details. Alternatively, you can use your local wedding planner and ask them to meet the vendors with specific instructions on your behalf.
9. Give your guests all the necessary information about the wedding destination.
Kindly tell them everything they need to know like where to book the cheapest flights, how to get to the airport, fun activities that they can do on their own, and events to do. In short, make them feel at home, even in a foreign country.
Conclusion
Preparing for a destination wedding needs serious organization because there is no time to waste and you are only making one or two planning trips. It is wise to make your research and organize any meetings on time so that your only focus is on decision-making while on the ground.