Destination Weddings
The decision to have a destination wedding can be a big one. Not only will you be looking at your planning tasks from an entirely different perspective, you also must dedicate extra effort to the financial side of things. There are additional costs attached to hosting your nuptials away from home, so it is wise to plan ahead and create a strategy for covering all expenses. Review these points and formulate a plan that will help you feel excited and prepared for your big day.
Location: Selecting the Destination
Perhaps the biggest factor that will influence the total cost of your destination event is the location you select. The world is a big place, and there are some areas that command a higher price than others. Before you can determine your exact budget for other services, decide where you’d like to hold your wedding. After you’ve picked out a country and venue, you can begin looking at expenses like airline fare, vendors, accommodations, and other details.
Lodging
Before you dive into the costs related to the wedding itself, you’ll find it useful to research your options with lodging. When you’re asking friends and family to travel far from home, it is practical to offer them a decent place to stay. If your wedding is going to take place in or near a popular tourist destination, you’ll find certain venues offer packages and deals for larger groups. While it isn’t necessary for you to cover the expenses for guests, working with the hotel or resort to reserve blocks at a discount is a good idea.
Destination and Vendors
Hiring businesses to cover services like catering, entertainment, and photography for your wedding can be difficult under normal circumstances. With destination events, the challenge becomes a bit more complicated. Since you’re likely not as familiar with the area as you are with your home community, you won’t have an immediate knowledge of your options. Some couples find it useful to work with professional planners or venue managers to arrange certain services. This can save you a good amount of time and a lot of effort, though it may cost you a bit more in some areas for the convenience.
Decorations
One small problem you may encounter when planning a destination event is decor. If you have to board a plane, the last thing you want is to travel with extra luggage containing decorations. What’s more, you may not have the luxury of being able to rush out to the store to grab whatever supplies you need after you arrive. Again, this is a situation where you’ll find it is best to work with your venue manager. Usually, the representative of the venue can coordinate this side of the event for you and make the space look however you’d like.
Unique Experiences
If you’re traveling with a very small group for your nuptials, you may want to go above and beyond with the experience. There is no need to adhere to tradition when you’re abroad, especially when you’re in a new location that offers lots of possibilities. When there are a few days to work with on your itinerary, consider some extra events for your guests. A trip to the local beach, a dinner at a fancy restaurant, or an opportunity to soak up some culture via a museum or theatrical performance can all be fun activities to explore.
Though a destination wedding provides the chance to see a different side of the world during a milestone event in your life, there are some details to work out early on. Focus on the financial side of your event and structure your planning process around the most pressing expenses. With a little research, you’ll have the insight needed to make your nuptials come to life in a way that aligns with your budget.
