When the world went into lockdown during the pandemic, one of the many things people missed was international travel. Now that borders have reopened you may be considering combining getting married with that long overdue overseas trip. And we don’t blame you as here at Evenio we love planning destination weddings.
But it has to be said that whilst a destination wedding in an exotic location is a wonderful way to say I do, planning one can be a little more complicated than you first might think. But that shouldn’t stop you if you have your heart set on a wedding in Bali, Tuscany, Paris, New York or another exotic location.
Simply read on for our top four tips for planning your ultimate destination wedding.
Choose your destination wedding location
For some of couples, choosing where to host your destination wedding may be obvious. Perhaps you have a family or sentimental connection to your dream wedding spot. Or it may be somewhere you’ve always wanted to travel to. These are all good reasons to plan a destination wedding.
But there are some other factors to consider. First and foremost, you should make yourself familiar with any travel warnings or political issues in the location. And if you would like to invite guests, you will also want to consider how guests will get to the destination, the length of time it will take them to travel there and the availability of accommodation within everyone’s budget. Weather should also be factored into your decision so you choose the right time of year for your wedding.
Pro Tip: If you can, visit your destination wedding location 6-8 months ahead of your wedding date. This will enable you to visit the venue/s and meet with the local suppliers you’ll be using. If you can’t do this, aim to arrive at the destination about a week prior to your wedding so you can finalise details and feel confident about how your day will run.
Confirm the local marriage laws
Marriage laws and regulations vary from country to country and state to state in some cases. This makes it extra important to confirm local requirements before you commit to your wedding destination. If getting legally married in your destination is not possible or more difficult than you expected, you may choose to get married at home and celebrate your marriage abroad. If you decide to do this, you should still make yourself aware of any local customs or traditions that could impact the style of wedding you’re planning.
Give guests advance warning
If you’re planning a destination wedding for just the two of you, you can skip this step. However, if you have guests you want to be there, give them as much notice as you can so they can budget for the travel and apply for time off work if required. You should also consider what, if anything, you’re prepared to pay for on their behalf as this may influence their decision to attend or not.
For example, if you’re paying for guest accommodation, share this information with them in your save the date. Likewise, if your expectation is that they are there for a specific number of days either before or after your wedding day, make this clear to them. Checking off this step will ensure that the people you want at your destination wedding can be there and that it’s not stressful in any way for them.
Pro Tip: Create a wedding website and share the details with everyone you invite. Your wedding website is the ideal place to share important travel and accommodation information and keep everyone updated.
Hire a destination wedding planner
I’d argue that a wedding planner is a great investment for every wedding, but it’s particularly important when planning a destination wedding. A wedding planner who is based in the location you’re getting married in, or who makes regular trips there or is very familiar with the destination, will be able to provide you with valuable information about the destination and connect you with the local suppliers you need. They’ll also be there on your wedding day to ensure everything runs smoothly – this is especially helpful if there are any language barriers between you and your suppliers.
As a wedding planner and designer who has lived and worked in many countries around the world, I’d love to help you plan your destination wedding. For an obligation free consultation, contact me.
Planning a destination wedding in Victoria? Here’s six tips to help you.
