27 Sep Planning The Destination Wedding You’ve Always Dreamed Of
Saying “I do” during the ongoing pandemic can make things challenging. But, we’re not going to let it rob us of the joy of making big plans for the big day. If a destination wedding has always been your dream, then by all means keep dreaming. Now more than ever, planning for a getaway event is the escape many of us need from everyday life.
If you have a bucket list of places you’ve always wanted to visit, this is the time to pull it out and start planning — even if it’s a fanciful endeavor. As you ponder the best options for your destination wedding, keep the following tips in mind:
Choose a Meaningful Location
Keep in mind that your destination must have all of the resources you need. That charming beach town where you spent your childhood summers won’t work if it only has one hotel that can’t accommodate all your guests.Notify Guests Well in Advance
This is one of the most important destination wedding tips. It’s important to give your nearest and dearest plenty of time to calculate if they can afford the cost of traveling to your ceremony and reception. Read more at Brides…
Remember, destination weddings have extra logistics to be considered in terms of transportion and accommodation. Have your guests confirm their attendance early enough to coordinate these details. Despite the need for such added planning, one upside is taking advantage of the natural beauty of your destination will help to lower decor costs.
Another important consideration is the weather conditions of your chosen location. This is especially critical for an outdoor ceremony.
Unfortunately, the best weather in popular vacation destinations tends to correlate with tourist season, when there are typically more crowds, fewer hotel and venue availabilities, and higher rates all around. If you’re planning a destination wedding during this peak time, book your venue and reserve your room blocks through an online booking service like Hotel Planner as soon as possible. If you opt for the shoulder season, you may be able to save yourself and your guests some money and still enjoy great weather. While the off-season will mean fewer crowds, the weather can be a gamble (consider the Caribbean’s hurricane season and the summer heat waves that occur in parts of Europe), and you may find that many stores, venues and vendors close up shop. Read more at The Knot…
Choosing a destination you can visit before the wedding day is extremely helpful. If it’s a place where a close friend or relative lives, all the better. Their advice will prove invaluable for your planning since they know the location well.
Ultimately, all these plans need money; getting your math right from the outset is super-important.
Budgeting can very tricky with a destination wedding. Not only do you need to worry about local currency exchanges if it’s outside of your country, but you also need to consider travel and lodging for yourself and for non-local vendors. For example, if you’re using a preferred photographer from your town, then you’ll most likely be expected to pay for their airfare and their lodging during the wedding.
As for vendors who are local to the destination, they will need to be paid in the local currency. Take time to research the exchange rate ahead of time so that you aren’t caught off guard when it’s time to make payments. And don’t forget that those exchange rates can change from day-to-day. Read more at Living Wedding…
A budget will help you prioritize your wedding needs and wants. With good planning, you may be surprised by how far you can stretch every dollar at your intended location.
Wherever you ultimately decide to have your wedding, one thing for certain is you’ll want to look your best. If you visit New York Bride & Groom of Columbia first, your search for the ideal gown will begin and end at the same place. In addition to affordable designer gowns, we are the place for plus-size wedding dresses, wedding tuxedo rentals, custom-made suits, and a superb collection of wedding accessories. Visit New York Bride & Groom of Columbia today — no appointment needed — and let’s find your dress.