Throwing a destination wedding is akin to hitting the jackpot: You get to marry your soulmate, surrounded by loved ones in a gorgeous far-off land. Talk about a dream come true!
If you’re planning on tying the knot in an exotic location somewhere across the globe, you’re in for an incredible experience… That’s if you do your homework.
Planning a destination wedding means you’ve got some additional tasks to add to your regular wedding to-dos. We’re sharing some major destination wedding dos and don’ts to ensure nothing gets forgotten, and your destination wedding exceeds everyone’s expectations—including yours!
Destination Wedding Dos
Planning a destination wedding involves research and some slight tweaks to the traditional wedding planning timeline.
Here are some critical destination wedding dos:
Do: Research the Location
Here are some of the things you need to check:
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How easy is it to travel to?
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What venues and vendors are available?
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What is the language, currency, and political climate?
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If there’s a tourist season, is that going to make booking accommodation and other excursions more of a challenge?
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If you’re traveling internationally, what customs and norms are part of that culture?
The more prepared you are, the better.
Do: Research the Weather
When are you planning on tying the knot, and what’s the weather like that time of year? If it’s a tropical destination, do they have a rainy season? How about hurricanes?
If you’re hoping for an outdoor celebration but the weather can be iffy, choose a venue with an indoor option in case of rain.
Do: Research Accommodation
Ideally, you want to find accommodation close to the venue. Additionally, it’s nice to see if local hotels offer room block discounts so you and your guests can all be at the same place.
Do: Research Transportation
When it comes to travel, especially if it’s international, not everyone has the same comfort level navigating unfamiliar places.
If you’re having the wedding in another country, some of your guests who’ve never left the United States may feel intimidated at the prospect of trying to secure transportation and figure out the logistics of getting from the airport to the hotel.
Book modes of transportation beforehand—or at least provide your guests with a clear step-by-step picture of how to get to where they need to go.
Do: Create a detailed wedding website
Entice your invitees by including gorgeous pictures of the wedding destination. Don’t forget to include any pertinent details such as the local language, currency, and history.
This is a vacation for your guests—give them something to look forward to.
Do: Secure the wedding party attire beforehand
Whatever you do, don’t get so caught up in planning the wedding—everything you need to do when you arrive—that you forget what you need to do here and now.
You have a wedding gown and bridesmaid dresses to look for; if you’re heading somewhere tropical, look for dresses in lightweight breathable material. Bella Bridesmaids has an incredible collection featuring a wide range of styles, material, and colors.
Do: Send Out Invitations Earlier
Give your gets between a year and six months’ notice so they have ample time to plan.
Do: Understand that some loved ones may not be able to afford it
Not everyone on your list may be able to make it work. Be understanding, and don’t hold that against them.
Destination Wedding Don’ts
Now that you know all the dos, let’s take a look at the destination wedding don’ts.
Don’t: Hold an early morning wedding the day after traveling
Give your guests—and yourself—time to rest and acclimate to another region and time zone.
Don’t: Forget to include a detailed summary of necessary travel documents
Like passports, if traveling internationally.
It can take up to 8 weeks to get a passport, and that’s if your guests begin the process immediately. Make sure you give them enough time to apply and receive theirs—and let them know that it’s required.
Don’t: Assume all your guests will be able to afford it.
Again, some people simply may not be able to afford a trip, take time off work, or be able to travel. Be gracious and understanding.
Don’t: Do not forget to have fun!
Yes, there are a lot of details that need to come together—a lot of things that could potentially go wrong.
Remember there are some things you can control and some things you can’t, and one of the most important things you can control is a decision to have fun. Roll with it, don’t sweat the small stuff.
Conclusion:
Above all, relish this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to gather with your nearest and dearest to celebrate your love, in an incredible location. Lucky you!
