Having a destination wedding miles away from home means you're in for a much more intimate ceremony and can basically enjoy a two-for-one wedding and honeymoon. But planning such an event is no easy feat. Before jetting off to a foreign land to marry your love, there are some important details to consider. We sat down with planner Laurie Arons, who knows a thing or two about throwing a fantastic wedding. Whether you've decided on a tropical celebration in the Bahamas, an island fete in Bali, or a romantic getaway in Tuscany, we've got all of the bases covered, from choosing the perfect venue to coordinating every last detail on the big day. Destination Wedding EtiquetteWhen should I have my destination wedding? This depends on your schedules and availability, but seasonal changes make a major impact. If you want to take advantage of the local environment with outdoor festivities, check the average rainfall by month and ensure that you're not positioning your event right in the middle of hurricane or monsoon season. Be aware of fluctuations in tourism; high season translates to expensive booking rates and congested sights, but low season can mean empty streets and closed hotspots. When do I notify guests of my destination wedding? Save-the-dates should be mailed eight to 12 months before the wedding. "The official invites should go out no later than three to four months before," notes Arons. An extra-long lead time will allow guests to make arrangements but can be a bit laxer for domestic destinations. Who pays for guest accommodations? Guests are traditionally expected to cover their personal lodging and transportation expenses, but it's important that you make this as gracefully clear as possible. Tactfully lay out expectations by providing recommendations to accommodations or booking websites. If you've booked a hotel room block, emphasize that each guest needs to reserve their own room within it. Your weddings on beach website and save-the-dates will be your best tools in getting the word out. Do I need to help guests book travel? You don't need to book anyone's travel, but it's a nice gesture to make the process easier. Enlisting a travel agent can help lighten the load by taking over group reservations, inputting everyone's travel info, and scoring the best deals. They may also be able to snag upgrades and luxury treatments. Start a Facebook group or group chat so everyone can share flight deals or make plans to travel together. Providing a wedding itinerary will keep everyone on schedule and fully informed. Do I need a registry for a destination wedding? Given the increased costs of guests attending the wedding, you may want to consider scrapping gifts. Utilize the invitations or wedding website to let everyone know that their presence is the best gift. If you prefer to have a registry, be sure to have gifts shipped to your home rather than brought to the venue or opt for virtual gifts like gift cards or donations to a honeymoon fund. Some resorts even have their own honeymoon registries for on-site experiences. Destination Wedding Planning Tips When deciding on a weddings on beach, keep in mind that it must be safe and have all of the resources you need. That charming beach town where you spent your childhood summers won't work if its one hotel can't accommodate all your guests or any of their accessibility or childcare requirements. Also, ensure there are no recent travel warnings, political issues, or health concerns in the region--if there are and you remain undeterred, make sure your guests are fully informed--and none of your guests will feel uncomfortable due to their religion, gender, or sexual preference.
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AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
July 2022
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