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WHAT WILL MAKE YOUR DESTINATION WEDDING PERFECT So you have decided to give up on the traditional stay-at-home, big fancy wedding
and take the plunge and travel out of the country for your special event. This sounds
like a great idea! Whether you decided it's a private occasion with just you and your
loved one or an event in which all of the family and friends are invited, here is a list
that will aid you in having the most successful destination wedding. |
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 Find Expert Advice: Everyone knows the internet is an excellent source for
researching the destination and hotel but leave the expert advise to your travel
agent. They are easily accessible and are there if you should ever encounter
problems. They keep up-to-date and knowledgeable about the destination and
the product and can also find you travel deals that may otherwise be found. As
this may be your first time in planning a destination wedding, it may be their
hundredth time so their experience and expertise will benefit you in the end. Be
sure to ask the agency who is their designated destination wedding expert and
work with them in planning and booking your holiday. |
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Choose the right destination: Choose the right destination is key in making
your wedding dreams come true. Do you want to exchange your vows on a
beach in the tropics or a historic castle in Europe, at a world famous landmark
or in a quaint and secluded retreat? Whatever you choose, make sure that you
don't stray from that original dream that has been dancing in your mind since
the engagement. |
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Choose the right property: Choosing the right property is as important as
choosing the right destination. Many people look at the bargain hotel in the list
of hotel options but avoid the ones more up the ladder but that are probably
going to give them more of a positive lifetime memory. Aspects to look at are a
hotel's star rating. It's location (beach front, close to shopping etc.), how big of
a property it is with the facilities to suite your needs, and if it is well
experienced in planning weddings. |
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Choose the right time: Things to look out for are peak travel times, such as
holidays, when the resort is at it's busiest and the likelihood of the free upgrade
for the bride and groom are next to nil. Although the chances are slim that a
hurricane will land up on your doorstep, at your hotel, at your destination, on
your wedding date, it is still important to be aware that the hurricane season in
the Caribbean is from August to October. Even though you may seek the sun
and sand, you may want to pay attention also to the hot season of the
destination or you may melt away in your wedding dress out there on the
beach. |
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Book early: When in doubt, book as soon as the rates become available.
Anything from six to eight months in advance of your wedding date should
suffice. You also don't have to wait for everyone to get it together. Like the old
Pied Piper would say. “Lead, and they will follow.” |
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Stay on budget: Although this is your dream holiday and once-in-a-life time
special day, you don't want to be grumbling for years afterwards as you
continue to pay off the trip. Stay within means. If you're flexible and work with
the experts, you will find the perfect place and wedding package that will be
sure to please and that won't break the bank. This doesn't mean down-sizing or
giving up what's important to you, it just means changing dates, duration of the
stay, destination, or hotel that will suite your budget. |
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Stay focused on your dream: After months of planning, many people begin to
loose their main dream and focus especially given all of the steps and factors of
planning a wedding. As soon as you have decided to make your wedding a
destination wedding, you and your spouse together should write out a list of
what would make your 'dream destination wedding' come true. When you're
about to book, re-visit the list and ensure these items are still being met. |
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Go with the flow: One of the greatest aspects of planning a destination
wedding is that it's less stressful than planning a wedding at home. Keep up
with this mind set and things will flow better. Many places down South have
quite a laid-back attitude so let it rub off on you too. If the icing on the cake in
the middle layer ended up chocolate and not vanilla, let it be. If you're working
with a reputable hotel with an on-site wedding coordinator, they will ensure ALL
of your wedding dreams come true. If something does go astray that isn't
palatable, let the wedding coordinator know immediately and it will be fixed. |
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So good luck and enjoy not only the wedding itself, but also the process of planning it.
The day should be as unique and special as you are and offer you a lifetime of
memories and stories to talk about at the dinner table for years! |
