Top Tips and Best Advice for Destination Weddings

Just like the search for an ideal home, many destination weddings begin with the search for an ideal location. However, before the perfect destination wedding can happen, there are often many items on a bride’s to-do list to be completed. For brides who trust their wedding wishes to a professional planner, as well as for brides who plan their own weddings, successful tips and helpful advice from former brides go a long way towards creating the perfect wedding day.

Among the most important advice for any bride-to-be is to start planning early. This allows time to reserve top choices for location, flowers, photographer, etc. It also affords time to secure plan B options, often without disruption to the wedding date chosen. Early planning ensures reservations and deposits are made well in advance of the wedding, which removes last-minute stress and anxiety for the couple.

When planning any destination wedding, an important concern is the weather. The typical temperature of the wedding month may affect both the comfort of wedding guests, and a couple’s decision about the ceremony being held outdoors or inside. Wedding statistics show that June is no longer the favored month for weddings, with brides citing summer heat as the primary reason. Instead, September and October have replaced June, offering more favorable weather for outdoor ceremonies in full autumn colors.

Once the wedding location is decided, couples should consider the ease of travel for invited guests. Among travel considerations, cost and mobility issues can become primary concerns for some guests. This can lead to a reconsideration of location if financial or medical concerns prevent loved ones from traveling to the wedding location. In the event that travel has no affect, hotel accommodations should be made as soon as possible so wedding guests can stay at the same location.

If a wedding is being held at a hotel, all wedding-related event costs may be included as part of a wedding package. However, for guests who chose not to stay at the wedding hotel, there may be additional fees for them to attend the events. When working with the hotel, be sure to get all cost details, and ask for recommendations about local attractions for guests who plan to arrive before, or stay after, the wedding.

The most important tips for engaged couples include:
– Do as much research and planning as early as possible, including vetting vendors
– For the best photos, bring your own photographer, or hire one local to your destination
– Consider cost, travel, and accessibility issues for invited guests
– Choose bridesmaids and groomsmen wisely, and have back-up choices available

Ultimately, many successful brides agree on this important tip: Don’t stress about the little things. When all is said and done, no one is going to remember if the bride walked too quickly down the aisle, or if the groom’s tie wasn’t perfect. All that the guests will remember is how happy the couple looked, and how much fun they had sharing their special day.

Feature Photo courtesy of Captured Memories by JFV Photography

Photo courtesy of the Ocean Isle Inn

Photo courtesy of Vangelis Photography