Are you dreaming of a destination wedding? A romantic ceremony on a picturesque beach, a charming European villa, or perhaps a rustic vineyard? Planning a destination wedding is an exciting adventure, turning your special day into the trip of a lifetime. Abby Garden is here to guide you through the process with our expert advice. In this blog, we'll walk you through the essential steps to plan your dream destination wedding.
What Are The Pros of a Destination Wedding?
1. Your Special Day Becomes a Dream Vacation
A destination wedding allows you to combine your wedding celebration with an unforgettable travel experience. It's a unique way to make your big day even more memorable.
2. More Intimate
Hosting a wedding away from home naturally results in a more intimate celebration. Your guest list becomes more exclusive, allowing you to spend quality time with your closest family and friends.
3. Great Way to Keep the Guest List Small
If you prefer a smaller guest list, a destination wedding is an ideal choice. Many guests may not be able to travel, making it easier to limit your attendees to those you truly want by your side.
4. More Date Flexibility
Destination weddings offer greater flexibility in choosing your wedding date. You can select a date that suits your preferences, rather than being limited to dates available at local venues.
Planning a Destination Wedding: Choose a Location
Ready to choose the perfect location for your destination wedding? Here are some factors to consider:
The Time of Year
The time of year can greatly influence your choice of destination. Research weather conditions and peak tourist seasons at your preferred locations. You want to make sure the climate is comfortable and suitable for your wedding theme. If you have your heart set on a beach wedding, you'll likely want to avoid hurricane or monsoon seasons. If a winter wonderland is your dream, you'll need to choose a location where you can count on snow.
Who Are Your Must-Have Guests?
Before finalizing your location, ensure that your essential guests can attend. Discuss your plans with them to make sure they can make the trip. Destination weddings can be more challenging for guests due to travel costs and time commitments. It's important to consider the needs and availability of your loved ones to ensure that the most important people in your life can be part of your special day.
Location Tip: If possible, visit your venue ahead of time. A pre-wedding site visit allows you to familiarize yourself with the location, discuss logistical details with the venue staff, and make any necessary adjustments to your plans. If an in-person visit isn't possible, consider scheduling a virtual tour with the venue to get a feel for the space and ask any questions you may have.
Hire a Planner
Hiring a local or experienced destination wedding planner is highly recommended. If that's not possible, at least secure a strong day-of coordinator to ensure a smooth wedding day. A wedding planner with expertise in destination weddings can be a lifesaver in helping you navigate the unique challenges of planning a wedding in a remote location. They can assist in finding the right vendors, handling legal requirements, and coordinating logistics, making your planning process much smoother and less stressful.
Work With Experienced Vendors
Working with experienced vendors is crucial, as they must know how to adapt their services for a destination vs. local wedding. They should be extremely organized and well-versed in the challenges of working in different locations, and also be able to provide references from previous destination weddings they've serviced.
Provide Detailed Communication To Guests
How to make sure your guests are well informed and prepared for your destination wedding:
Send Save-the-Dates Early
Send out save-the-date cards well in advance to give your guests ample time to plan their trip. This is especially important for destination weddings, as guests may need to make travel arrangements and take time off work.
Provide an Itinerary
Share a detailed itinerary of the wedding events and activities happening during the stay. This helps guests plan their time and know what to expect, ensuring they can fully participate in the celebration.
Share Dress Code and Special Requirements
Make sure your guests are aware of the dress code for each event and any special requirements related to the destination. Whether it's beach attire or formal evening wear, providing this information helps your guests pack appropriately.
Other Helpful Tips
Keep these other helpful tips in mind as you prepare for your big day:
Arrive Early if Possible
Arrange for a site visit before your wedding day. If you can do this before you book, even better. At the very least, schedule a virtual tour with the venue.
Ship Items Ahead of Time
Consider shipping wedding items and decor to the destination well in advance to avoid last-minute stress.
Packing The Dress
Some airlines have personal closets and will hang your wedding dress for you on the plane, but this is not always the case. We recommend having your dress packed by a professional for the trip. Keep in mind that the packing has to meet airline carry-on requirements, and of course, don’t check your wedding dress! Bags get misplaced, and it's "the dress!"
If All Else Fails, Smile!
Planning a wedding can be stressful, but remember to savor the moment. No matter how much you plan, some things will be out of your control, and that’s okay! Chances are the only person who even notices is you. Focus on enjoying the day and marrying the love of your life.
Planning Your Destination Wedding With Abby Garden
Abby Garden is a wedding and event florist specializing in high-end event styling and luxury floral design with a romantic and modern touch. With extensive experience in planning and executing our services at destination weddings all over the world, we are your trusted partner in helping to create the event of your dreams. Contact us today to begin planning your unforgettable destination wedding!