How to Plan A Destination Wedding
Weddings boring? No way! Modern couples more and more are opting to make their weddings the experience of a lifetime ... and not just for the happy couple but for all their guests! Destination weddings have been on the rise for years, and they've never been more popular. They're one of the biggest wedding trends going, and for good reason. For too many people, weddings used to be an obligation. They were something you had to go to in order to show your support for the bride and groom. But a destination wedding is not just for the couple starting life out together. A destination wedding is a great adventure for every single guest. And that's why destination weddings are so popular these days. If you plan a destination wedding, every single one of your guests will be nearly as excited as you are about your wedding! Here are some tips to planning the perfect destination wedding that folks in your circle will be talking about for years to come.
Destination
Of course, they don't call it a destination wedding for nothing. The idea is to choose a place that will make you, the happy couple, even happier. Don't worry right now about your guests. Family and friends undoubtedly will be trying to sway you into choosing their destination choices. But it's not their wedding. Put your two heads together and come up with your top three or four faves. Maybe there's a country that has a special meaning in both of your lives, or perhaps there's a place you both want to go on your honeymoon. Combining your honeymoon with your destination wedding is such a no-brainer, you often can't go wrong.
Budget
Naturally, a destination wedding is probably going to cost more than a more traditional wedding. You can pull parts of your budget from here and there, but more than likely you're still going to be spending more on a destination wedding. Be realistic about how much it's going to cost. Kidding yourself about incidentals, food, and souvenirs can cause trouble and ultimately arguments, and you certainly don't need to start off your new life together arguing. Decide how many people you want at your wedding, cost of travel, and don't forget about how much money you'll need when the wedding is just a wonderful memory and you're back home starting out your new life together.
Do your research
Whatever you do, don't forget this step. You must know enough about the marriage laws of your destination as well as the marriage laws back home in order to avoid any problems. If you're traveling overseas, you need to familiarize yourself with everything you need to know regarding getting married in that destination. It also doesn't hurt to learn a little about the local customs. Be sure you know about, and are equipped with, all necessary documents and translations. Staff at wedding venues, travel agents, and even law professionals may be able to help with these types of things.
Shop around
Shop around for the best travel packages you can find. Many of your guests will likely be looking to you for information regarding travel packages and costs. You don't have to play travel agent, but if you want a peaceful wedding with the emphasis on love and romance, you should probably help guests by finding out as much as you can about travel packages as well as your destination.
Information
Once you've made all the decisions regarding your destination wedding, you should update your guests on a regular basis with any new information, as well as reminders about past information you've already given them. True, there is more follow-up throughout all stages of planning a destination wedding, but the experience can be well worth the effort.
This is the most important day of your life. It's the day around which all other milestone days will be built. The births of your children, buying a house, even retiring and heading off into the sunset together ... every single one of the most important subsequent days of your life will be based upon your wedding day. There is not another person on Earth to whom this day will be as important than to you and your spouse. Remember ... you can't plan a destination wedding without 'destiny.' It's your destiny. Make it the destination wedding of your dreams.
Destination
Of course, they don't call it a destination wedding for nothing. The idea is to choose a place that will make you, the happy couple, even happier. Don't worry right now about your guests. Family and friends undoubtedly will be trying to sway you into choosing their destination choices. But it's not their wedding. Put your two heads together and come up with your top three or four faves. Maybe there's a country that has a special meaning in both of your lives, or perhaps there's a place you both want to go on your honeymoon. Combining your honeymoon with your destination wedding is such a no-brainer, you often can't go wrong.
Budget
Naturally, a destination wedding is probably going to cost more than a more traditional wedding. You can pull parts of your budget from here and there, but more than likely you're still going to be spending more on a destination wedding. Be realistic about how much it's going to cost. Kidding yourself about incidentals, food, and souvenirs can cause trouble and ultimately arguments, and you certainly don't need to start off your new life together arguing. Decide how many people you want at your wedding, cost of travel, and don't forget about how much money you'll need when the wedding is just a wonderful memory and you're back home starting out your new life together.
Do your research
Whatever you do, don't forget this step. You must know enough about the marriage laws of your destination as well as the marriage laws back home in order to avoid any problems. If you're traveling overseas, you need to familiarize yourself with everything you need to know regarding getting married in that destination. It also doesn't hurt to learn a little about the local customs. Be sure you know about, and are equipped with, all necessary documents and translations. Staff at wedding venues, travel agents, and even law professionals may be able to help with these types of things.
Shop around
Shop around for the best travel packages you can find. Many of your guests will likely be looking to you for information regarding travel packages and costs. You don't have to play travel agent, but if you want a peaceful wedding with the emphasis on love and romance, you should probably help guests by finding out as much as you can about travel packages as well as your destination.
Information
Once you've made all the decisions regarding your destination wedding, you should update your guests on a regular basis with any new information, as well as reminders about past information you've already given them. True, there is more follow-up throughout all stages of planning a destination wedding, but the experience can be well worth the effort.
This is the most important day of your life. It's the day around which all other milestone days will be built. The births of your children, buying a house, even retiring and heading off into the sunset together ... every single one of the most important subsequent days of your life will be based upon your wedding day. There is not another person on Earth to whom this day will be as important than to you and your spouse. Remember ... you can't plan a destination wedding without 'destiny.' It's your destiny. Make it the destination wedding of your dreams.