Many newly engaged couples don’t know what they’re getting into when trying to plan their destination wedding. Most couples have this idea, that they will just find a place somewhere in a beautiful location, get married, then live happily ever after. But there is a lot of planning that comes into play to make this all come together and most couples eventually find out the hard way that it’s not so easy. There's so much to consider, from where to stay and how to get there to what gifts to bring and how to keep everyone organized. I wish I had this destination wedding survival guide back when I first started planning destination weddings!
Ok, so let’s jump into these six destination wedding essentials!
1. Get Started Right Away
In today’s post-COVID environment, dates & availability are booking up faster than ever before! Many couples are eager to finally say “I DO!” in an amazing location, just as they had hoped before the pandemic! Now dates are booking up fast, so don’t procrastinate, start researching resort wedding venues & availability now! If you are completely lost on how to narrow down a location, you may find this blog post helpful on4 Steps to Decide Your Perfect Destination Wedding Location.
2. You Don’t Have To Know It All
You may think you have to know everything about planning a destination wedding before you begin, but that’s simply not true! You don’t need to have it all figured out to get started. The two most important things you need to start working on is making a list of potential destinations you would like to get married, and then, a list of potential resort wedding venues to hold your wedding & wedding group at. Refer to our Complete Essential Guide To Planning Your Destination Wedding for more details.
3. Consider Doing a Pre-Wedding Planning Trip
Hey, Who doesn’t like the samples at Costco, before you buy a 12-pack of hot chocolate bombs? Right?
Once you have a destination wedding location chosen, then it’s time to figure out which wedding venue & resort to have your ceremony and host your group. One of the most effective ways to choose a wedding resort & venue is to visit it first before you decide. In fact, many resorts offer special “wedding visit” packages to encourage you to visit their resort, hoping you will choose them for your destination wedding. You may enjoy reading my article on The Top Destinations For a Dream Destination Wedding.
4. Get a New Email For Only Wedding Related Conversations
In order to have a successful destination wedding, you have to be organized. I always suggest that you create a special email address exclusively for your wedding & honeymoon. This way all of your wedding correspondence & conversations will be in one spot! Believe me, this will save you so much time and probably money in the end. The last thing you want is a confirmation email requesting you to verify your wedding date & time at the resort, and you miss it in a crowded inbox sandwiched between emails from work and your friends' birthday party.
5. Consider Getting a New Credit Card That Earns Miles
If you are going to be charging your wedding expenses, you might as well earn some reward miles to help you pay for your travel. This is a great time to open a new credit card that will earn you miles or points for future or even current travel. You could actually get your airfare paid for if you play your credit cards right!
6. Consider Working With a Destination Wedding Planner
If you want to ensure that your destination wedding will be planned correctly, and reduce the stress and frustration you may feel when trying to plan this all on your own, it may be worth it to invest in a destination wedding planner. A destination wedding planner or designer knows the ins and outs of a destination wedding and has plenty of experience setting up wedding groups, negotiating contracts, and managing all of the logistics for you and your guests. They will also make sure that you receive ALL the amenities & perks you will qualify for as well. They will look out for you and the things that many resorts won’t tell you unless you ask.
At the end of the day, you want your destination wedding to be a celebration that everyone will remember! (In a good way) By taking this survival guide to the heart and putting these 6 steps in place, you can ensure that your destination wedding experience will be everything you hoped for, as well as one of your fondest memories as a couple.
If you feel like you need a little help planning your destination wedding and want the weight lifted off of your shoulders, then I encourage you to use this link, to schedule a free 30-minute strategy session with me! I would be honored to help you figure out everything you need for your dream wedding to come true!
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