Tips for Planning a Destination Wedding
Our exclusive guide to planning a destination wedding in your dream locale, ensuring you have everything you need for an effortless celebration.
A destination wedding is more than an event; it's a curated experience, an artfully composed collection of moments that blend seamlessly into a lifetime of memories. While exciting, many decisions and details need to fall into place. We’ve curated essential tips to help make your dream wedding in a far-off locale a reality. We’ll help you infuse every detail with intention, ensuring your destination wedding is a true reflection of your refined style.
Start the Planning Process Early
As destination weddings require more lead time than traditional weddings due to the added complexities of travel, accommodations, and coordinating from afar, it’s recommended to begin planning at least a year in advance. As popular destinations can book out 18-24 months in advance, this extended timeline gives you the opportunity to research and visit potential locations. It also provides guests the time to make travel arrangements and save for the trip, negotiate better rates with vendors and accommodations, and navigate any legal requirements for getting married in your chosen destination. Remember, the earlier you start, the more options you'll have and the less stress you'll face as your special day approaches.
Embrace a Local Presence
When selecting your destination, consider locations that resonate with your story as a couple. It should complement your style while offering a canvas for personal expression. It’s also important to consider factors like climate and weather patterns, accessibility for guests, local marriage requirements, and budget implications of your dream destination.
Once you’ve chosen your locale, immerse yourself in its culture. If possible, plan a pre-wedding trip to your chosen destination, allowing yourself to sample the local cuisine, meet with local vendors, and discover hidden gems that will make your celebration uniquely yours. Seeing venues with your own eyes helps you make informed decisions and may reveal options you hadn't considered. If possible, visit during the same season your wedding will take place to get an accurate idea of weather conditions.
If this is not realistic for your timeline, hiring a local wedding planner can be an invaluable option. Their expertise and on-the-ground presence can make the difference between a stressful planning process and a smooth, enjoyable one. They have established relationships with reputable local vendors, often securing better rates and ensuring quality service. Their cultural knowledge allows them to navigate local customs, handle logistics, and navigate the local language.
Be Mindful of Your Wedding Guest List
In curating your guest list, embrace the intimacy that a destination wedding provides. Typically, you’ll find that 50-60% of invited guests will attend, compared to the 75-85% who might attend a local celebration. Begin with your closest friends and family, aiming to give 8-12 months’ notice to ensure they can attend before extending invitations to a wider circle. Understand that some invitees may decline due to travel costs or scheduling conflicts. For those closest to you, such as parents and siblings, you might consider helping with costs; however, it is not often expected.
Remember, too, that a destination wedding is more than a day; it's a curated experience spanning several days. Consider how your guests will interact during this extended stay and the atmosphere you wish to create. Decide early if you want a child-free wedding or if you’ll provide childcare options—a thoughtful touch that allows parents to fully immerse themselves in the celebration.
In your planning, be mindful of diverse needs. Whether it's accessibility for those with mobility concerns or special dietary considerations, these thoughtful touches elevate the experience for all. As you extend invitations, consider the delicate balance of coupled and single guests. The choice to offer plus-ones is personal; let your vision for the event guide you. Remember, in the intimate setting of a destination wedding, new connections often blossom organically.
Additional Factors to Consider
There are some legal requirements and other additional factors to consider when marrying overseas. Navigating the legal aspects of getting married abroad is a crucial part of destination wedding planning. Start investigating legal requirements at least six months before your wedding date. Common documents you might need include valid passports, birth certificates, divorce or death certificates if previously married, and an affidavit of eligibility to marry. It’s important to check the regulations and be aware that some countries require you to be in the country for a certain period before you can legally marry. Also, consider wedding insurance to protect against any unforeseen circumstances.
Finally, when planning a destination wedding, it’s important to budget for additional destination-specific expenses and set aside an amount for any unexpected expenses. Be upfront with vendors about your total budget to avoid surprises, and remember, while these extras can add up, they often contribute significantly to the overall experience for you and your guests.
Bride @bobbiaston in MARTINI
Travelling with a Wedding Dress
As you journey to your destination, you may be wondering how to best care for your wedding dress, so we have listed some of our top tips. Before leaving for your destination, make sure to try on your gown after any alterations to ensure everything is perfect before packing. It's best to take the gown as a carry-on and pack it in its dress bag. Ideally, speak to the airline staff to see if they can hang it in the coat closet—arriving early and asking at the gate desk increases your chances. If hanging isn’t an option, you can fold the dress in its bag and remove the hanger to save space. You can then place it in a small suitcase in the overhead compartment or a bag under the seat. Once you’ve arrived, promptly unfold the gown, air it out, and check for any issues like spills or leaks. Hang the gown a few days before the wedding and follow your care instructions as usual.
Ensure your accommodation is equipped with an iron, or bring your own, and always pack a clean white pressing cloth to safeguard both sides of your gown, particularly if using the accommodation’s iron. Be mindful of environmental factors such as humidity and weather that could affect your dress during transit. Additionally, hotel closet floors may not be as clean as they appear, so it’s wise to either clean the space or lay down a sheet before hanging your gown.
Find the Perfect Destination Wedding Dress
Explore our range of stunning wedding dresses, ready to be whisked away for your dream day. From our beach wedding dresses to our boho wedding dresses, our comfortable designs are perfect for travelling with and dancing the night away in your chosen paradise. Book your personalised bridal appointment today at one of our 26 bridal boutiques or book a virtual styling session to let our bridal stylists guide you in finding ‘The One’.
