How to Plan a Destination Wedding
Planning a destination wedding can be exciting and challenging. Giving yourself a head start on planning will increase the chances the day will go as smoothly as possible. Choosing the location, selecting the right cuisine and ensuring all the important people in your life will be present will take some thought and coordination.
1. Do your research on destination weddings. Read up on exciting locations where weddings are commonly held. Talk to friends who have had destination weddings for ideas and to understand the logistics involved.
2. Choose a destination that feels right for both bride and groom. This may involve making a compromise. If you're in love with a beachfront location, be sure that your future spouse is also in love with the idea. They may be turned off by excessive heat or feel seasick when on a boat for too long. Find a spot in which you both feel content.
3. Contact the local hotels and wedding venues. Some hotels have an established process for weddings whereby they provide or connect you with everything you need, from the food to the flowers. Choose a venue that handles as much of the logistics as possible. This is especially important in a far-flung destination.
4. Make decisions about the food. Your friends and family will be traveling a far distance to attend your wedding, so you want to make their stomachs happy. Choose cuisines that will be palatable to the majority of your wedding guests.
5. Research travel options for your guests. One of the reasons that relatives, friends or coworkers may not be able to attend your destination wedding is for lack of funds. Make this issue less prominent by researching affordable travel and accommodation packages ahead of time.
6. Consider the legal aspects of being married in a far away location. Contact the local authorities to inquire about the marriage requirements there.
7. Relax and enjoy yourself. A destination wedding may not go completely smoothly, simply by virtue of managing the logistics from a distance. Chances are that you will be so happy that the little details will not matter.