There’s a reason why so many people opt for a destination wedding. It’s a unique experience that you get to share with your closest family members and friends, while also combining the joy of a vacation! Yet make no mistake about it— planning a destination wedding is not for the faint of heart. It can be downright stressful if you don’t have the right tools in place. To help you plan your ultimate destination wedding, here are some of the best tips to see you through.
Choose The Right Venue
As they say in show business, “location is everything.” You want to make sure that you have the perfect venue locked down before you start inviting your guests. If possible, you should visit ahead of time to see the space that you’re working with. Although photos can be helpful, they don’t always show every detail of a location.
When choosing a venue, consider choosing somewhere that celebrates the culture of wherever you’re going. This will make the experience that much more authentic and fun for you and your guests.
Get A Photographer
Even though you might be convinced that skipping on a photographer will be a practical way to save money on your wedding costs, it’s one of the biggest mistakes you can make when opting for a destination wedding. You’ll want to make sure that you have someone who can capture every moment of your special day, in a way that your smartphone simply can’t.
Make no mistake about it— hiring a professional wedding photographer can be a significant investment, but it’s well worth it when you look back on your photos and see the memories you created.
Although friends and family may take pictures, they’re also guests enjoying the party. A photographer is there with one job to do, and that’s to capture every moment. To save money, consider hiring someone local so you don’t have to cover their transportation fees.
Choose The Right Season
Remember—even the most beautiful destinations in the world still come with seasons. Don’t make the mistake of choosing a place during the rainy season. Many people choose the date based on price alone, however, if you notice that your destination of choice is much more affordable during a certain time of year, then it may have to do with the weather.
Always make sure that you look up the weather conditions throughout the year to ensure that you don’t find yourself in the middle of a hurricane on your wedding day.
Send Out Invites Early
When you’re asking people to reserve their own flight and hotel accommodations, you need to give them as much time as possible. Send out invites as early as you can so that people can start saving and reserving as soon as possible.
Ideally, you should initially send out a “save the date,” followed by an official invitation. If possible, consider offering all-inclusive options so that your guests have the least amount of reserving to do.
