Every year, millions of people take the matrimonial pledge to love, honor, and cherish their beloved. As one of life’s truly monumental occasions, a wedding deserves a well-organized celebration that’s certain to provide loving memories for a lifetime.
But planning all the fine details can, at times, be overwhelming — and that’s why more and more people are opting for destination weddings, which tend to be more cost-effective and hassle-free. With more than 300,000 destination weddings taking place each year, there’s good reason to consider this as an option versus a traditional wedding.
This experienced marriage celebrant in Melbourne strongly recommends proactive planning to secure the best prices for your arrangements. Here are a few important tips to keep in mind when planning a destination wedding:
1. Decide on a Date and Location
To kick things off on the right foot, make a list of your top wedding locations and narrow down your list to roughly three options. When deciding on a date and location, consider your schedule, the time of year, and any seasonal changes that these locations tend to experience. Of course, you’ll need to do your research on the weather, costs of the event versus an off-season wedding event, and ease of travel.
You should also try to consider hotel accommodations and packages with special offers for the bride and groom. Some destinations offer all-inclusive packages that cover everything from flowers to champagne and everything else in-between. You can also find wedding combo packages in honeymoon getaway deals.
2. Pick Out Save-the-Date Announcements
Once you’ve decided on a date and location, you’ll want to let your friends and family in on all the fine details of your big day. In fact, the earlier the better to ensure your invited guests are able to attend. Case in point: Save-the-date cards should be mailed up to 10-12 months in advance, which should give your guests plenty of time to request vacation days, book travel and accommodations, and take care of any other travel or wedding-related requirements.
Although what to include on a save-the-date announcement might seem like a no-brainer, always include the following:
- Your names
- The date and location
- Wedding website link
- A note about a formal invitation to follow
Of course, when it comes to style and design, it’s all about customizing your announcements with the perfect fonts, lettering, and colorful palettes.
3. Consider Hiring a Wedding Planner
If you’re not the super-organized type and feel overwhelmed when planning events (big or small), you might want to consider hiring a wedding planner to ensure your big day runs as smoothly as possible. In particular, make sure this hired professional is also able to coordinate travel for you and your guests. Schedule meetings with him or her every few weeks for updates and to confirm bookings. Your wedding planner should also be able to recommend entertainment options for you and your guests. Indeed, hiring a professional to handle all the fine details will help decrease your stress levels and allow you to better enjoy this treasured day.
4. Prepare for the Unexpected
Sometimes, no matter your intentions and how well things have been strategically planned, something is bound to go awry. However, you can head off any potential worries by keeping a detailed list of things you need to review. Are your passports ready? Did you purchase wedding insurance to cover any losses you might experience? Like travel insurance that insures a vacation cancellation, wedding insurance is a good idea for destination weddings. Did you confirm that the marriage laws at your destination are in accordance with your plans? And don’t forget to review contracts!
A Toast to You and Your Betrothed!
Destination weddings can be a great source of joy for engaged couples seeking a non-traditional option. Popular for being a low-cost alternative, destination weddings are also a great way to spend more time celebrating with close friends and family. And with thoughtful planning and consideration of these tips, you’ll spend your dream vacation honeymooning with the people you love most. Cheers!
