Planning a Destination Wedding

You want your wedding  to be different.  You want it to be comfortable, yet sophisticated.  You want a beautiful setting, without the tacky decorations.   And you want fun, but always with class.  A destination wedding unites not only your bond, but your wedding ideals.

A destination wedding  is a wedding held in a location away from the couple's home town.  This type of ceremony  requires a lot of organized preparation  and is a great way to bring together the families  and friends  of the bride  and groom.   Destination weddings also provide a unique and personalized experience for everyone involved.  Use this holiday  as a time to relax and celebrate  a new union!  The choices are endless and the memories are sure to be brilliant if the proper preparations  are complete.

Is a Destination Wedding Right For Us?

When thinking about a destination wedding, you need to consider both the pros and cons.  Discuss the possibilities with your significant other and first figure out if this is actually the type of celebration  that the two of you had in mind.

Pros:

• The Complete Package
• Resorts  see destination weddings as an up and coming trend, and often work hard to make the planning  as stress-free as possible. There is often an on-site wedding coordinator  who will work to perfect all of the small details for you.
• This wedding planner can also help in organizing destination activities  such as sightseeing,  spa treatments,  or shopping  locales for your guests to partake in during their stay.
• Avoids Stressful Family Situations
• With a much smaller invitation list,  you don't have to feel pressured or forced into inviting that cousin that loves to argue or that in-law that nobody likes.
• Your guest list  will be tailored to only include your closest friends and family to partake in this intimate festivity.
• You Can Actually Save Money
• Surprisingly, spending a romantic weekend  in a luxurious location can cost less than having a sit-down dinner for 200 people at a nice location! Check with a travel agent  to save even more with a group discount. 
• If money is tight, consider a domestic location or go with a foreign country that has an affordable exchange rate. 
• Combine Wedding and Honeymoon
• By having your wedding at a dramatic location, you get the fabulous honeymoon  that you have always dreamed of... all at the same time.

Cons:

• Planning the Long Distance Wedding
• If your chosen location is not in a resort, you may have to do all of the planning yourself. Consider hiring a wedding planner  who specializes in destination weddings to help you smooth out any bumps along the way.
• Travel arrangements,  local venues, local photographers,  and local florists  are just a few of the important components that will need to be researched. Local tourist boards can sometimes provide helpful tips on the area.
• Foreign marriage license  laws can also cause complications. Thoroughly research the necessary paperwork and any stipulations for marriage  in the region that you have chosen to hold your wedding.
• Family Members and Friends May Not Be There
• When it comes to far-away locations, some guests may not be able to attend due to the expenses involved or conflicting work schedules. Older guests may not be able to make a trip  that requires travelling a long distance.
• Talk to those who's presence is truly essential before booking tickets or sending invitations.
• Will You Really Get To Honeymoon?
• With family around and planning to implement, you may be worried about your romantic time alone. To get around this, make sure you have a set schedule  and stick to it. Find interesting things for your guests to do while you two have couple time.
• As an alternative, consider arriving a few days earlier than your guests, or take a honeymoon  nearby the wedding location. 

Destination Wedding Etiquette

When it comes to inviting your guests, you may be overwhelmed with what is appropriate etiquette  and what is not.  Use these tips to help you sort it out.

• The wedding guests  pay for their own airfare  and accommodations.  The bride and groom often pick up the tab for food, beverages, and any invited activity during the trip.
• If guests are offered a list of local activities to explore on their own during in-between times, that should be paid for by them.
• A general rule to follow is that anything in which guests are invited to do, they should not have to pay for.

• It is appropriate to create a gift registry,  however, don't make it seem demanding. Do not print registry information on your invitations.

• You should not invite anyone to your bridal shower  that is not on your guest list.  It may seem like you are just looking for a wedding gift,  and it may seem rude to guests who did not make the cut.
• It is acceptable to have a post-destination wedding party. Invite everyone who was not able to make it to the destination spot  and celebrate again.

• If you choose to have a post-destination reception  back at home, keep your guest list open to only those who could not be at the destination wedding. This will keep things organized for you, as well as keeping costs down.

• If you want your destination wedding to be adults-only, simply do not invite the children. By omitting children's names from invitations,  it makes it clear that the invite should only go to the names listed.
• Consider that by only inviting adults, some of your guests with children may send their regrets. Finding reliable childcare for an extended period of time can be difficult for parents, and they may end up staying home.

Choosing the Destination

When deciding on a destination for your special day, ponder what type of setting most appeals to you.

• Exotic?  Countryside?  Historic?  Seaside?  The planning associated with each location is dramatically different. It helps you to narrow it down as soon as possible.
• What type of experience  would you like your guests to have? A destination in the sun will certainly hold different expectations than one full of history  and culture. 
• Think about what season  you would like your wedding to take place in. What is the weather like in your chosen destination during that time? Be sure to research the climate! 
• Know your budget  and understand what it will cost to get married in your chosen destination. There may be legal and residential requirements  and fees to consider.
• How far will your guests have to travel?  Will this affect how many people can attend?

Browse through these top wedding destinations  to inspire your own unique ideas!  Once you have a destination in mind, you can then play with themes for invitations,  flowers, dresses,  etc.

Top Wedding Destinations
Australia  For cosmopolitan chic, check out Sydney.  If you prefer beautiful beaches  and outback  adventure, look into areas on the coast and the Great Barrier Reef.	Austria  The Austrian Alps  provide many venues for a gorgeous mountain-top  wedding ceremony, or seek out the lush forests and lakes of the region. Look into Vienna  for historical and quaint sophistication.	Caribbean  With so many islands to choose from, think about going to soak up the sun on the serene turquoise waters of Antigua  or go play on the festive beaches of Mexico.	Cyprus  Exchange vows on the "island of love" with the warm breezes of the Mediterranean  and breathtaking views of the coastline.	France  Any region of the country will provide you with stunning views, great history, and fine cuisine  and wine.  Go for old-fashioned glamour in Paris,  or enjoy the romance  of a provincial town.

Italy  History buffs will enjoy the culture of Rome  or Florence,  while romantics may want to look into Venice  or a more Tuscan  setting. Italy also has a gorgeous coastline.   Islands like Capri  are always popular for their beaches.	South Africa  For the adventurous at heart, South Africa  offers some of the world's most pristine wildlife parks.  Gardens,  wineries,  and beautiful venues appeal to almost anyone in Cape Town.	Spain  Southern Spain offers miles of stunning coastline and activity on its pristine beaches of Costa del Sol.  Take in the architecture of Barcelona  or the historic culture of Madrid.	Sri Lanka  For the cultural and adventurous couple, Sri Lanka offers friendly locale and warm hospitality on the emerald beaches of the Indian Ocean.	United States  Explore the cosmopolitan cities of New York  or Las Vegas,  or enjoy nature with a backdrop of spectacular canyons,  parks,  or Californian wine  regions.

Important Questions To Ask

Once you have narrowed down a few locations in which to host your wedding, there are a number of questions to consider and pursue.

About the Venue
	Begin by phoning some of the hotels,  resorts,  or venues that you have chosen. Ask to speak with a General Manager in order to get the most accurate and up-to-date details possible. Ask if there is a wedding planner  on site. If so, find out what services this planner can offer and how he/she can be reached. Find out how much time in advance you are allowed to plan your wedding.

About the Ceremony/Reception
	Are there private indoor  or outdoor  settings for the wedding? Is the inside air-conditioned?  How many people can the area accommodate? Ask for an email showing the layout of the space. Ask for photos or virtual tours  as well. Inquire about what time of day weddings  typically occur. Why is this? If you want the wedding on the beach,  what will the set up be like?

About the Cost
	Get an estimate of how much the wedding will cost in this location. Is there a set wedding package  to select or will elements need to be compiled individually? Does the resort offer discounted group rates?  Remember you will need a block of rooms for family and friends. Does the location require a down payment? When will this need to be in by? Inquire about cancellation fees.

About the Wedding Details

Find out who performs the ceremony. If you are honouring a particular religion,  ask if someone of faith can be provided. What would happen if you scheduled an outside ceremony and it rains? Is live music  available? Ask for an MP3 file to be sent to you of the musicians. You will want to preview this. Ask for a preview of the menus  available for the reception. Will photography services  be provided? If so, what is the cost and what is included? What type of flowers  are found locally?

About Legalities
	What are the requirements to obtain a marriage license  in this destination? Will you need proof of any medical tests? Will you need to travel off-site to get the license? If so, will transportation be provided?

About the Folks Back Home
	For those who can't make it, is there a way to set up a web cam?  How long will it take for photos to be developed? Will they be posted on line for others to view?

About the Destination Area
	Is there a special honeymoon suite?  If so, find out what it looks like. Find out if there is a nice terrace or private area to hold your rehearsal dinner.  What charges will guests have to pay for? What is included in the pricing? Can the resort or venue arrange a special tour or activity for the group?

Destination Wedding Checklist

• Schedule a Test Drive
• Bear in mind that once your guests arrive, they are completely dependent on you for direction. Make sure that travel  arrangements are clear and well planned out.
• Insist that any bus drivers do a dry run of the route from the guest lodging  to the ceremony. You will not want anyone getting lost and missing it.

• Take a Trip
• You will want to see and secure every venue needed - church,  reception,  hotel lodging,  and rehearsal dinner venue. 
• Also have in place florists,  caterers,  and photographers. 
• Schedule tastings with your caterer, a trial session with a hair and make-up artist or salon, see sample bouquets from the florist, and organize activities for your guests.

• Vendor Check-ups
• If you must hire vendors sight unseen, request a portfolio and at least three references. Be sure that the references are from people that held an event similar to yours.

• Be Gracious
• Keep in mind that your vendors can make or break your wedding day.  Show your appreciation by writing thank you notes  or even sending a small gift of thanks  for their hard work and preparation through the process.

• Bring Your Own Pros
• Don't be afraid to bring in your own team of professionals. Bring your own photographer, make-up artist,  or florist if it makes you feel more comfortable and secure.
• These vendors can work with local vendors to assure that there are no communication mishaps.

• Forewarn Your Friends
• Be sure to tell any friends that may consider being a part of your wedding party  what your plans are. Give them time to say no in case of financial restrictions.

• Mind Mother Nature
• Don't forget what the weather climate will be like when choosing a gown.  Dress for no stress.

• Pack Right
• Remember that whatever you pack  with you, you will have to bring along throughout the trip. Allow ample room for your gown!

• Call on a Courier
• You may have a lot of gifts, and not enough storage  space to bring them back home. Figure out this plan of action before the trip!
• Ask someone who lives near your home to carry them back for you while you are on your honeymoon. 
• OR pack an extra duffel bag to store your wedding gifts  in yourself.

• Welcome Your Guests
• Be sure to place a gift basket  in each room, piled with essentials for the trip (suntan lotion,  sandals,  bug spray,  etc.).
• Place goodies to remind them of the event within the basket  -music,  regional cookbooks,  local artwork,  trinkets,  or crafts  are always a nice touch.

Related Wedding Guides

Choosing a Wedding Location	Beach Ceremony	Choosing a Wedding Date	Welcome Baskets	Save the Dates

Resources and External Links

• TheKnot.com - answers further questions to the proper details of destination weddings; gives wedding themes and ideas to consider.
• WeddingsAbroad.com - provides elaborate information on a variety of wedding destinations abroad.