The Challenges of Planning a Destination Wedding

Getting married is exciting, but the process is no small undertaking… Especially when you’re planning a destination wedding.

Whether you have your sights set on Mexico, a Caribbean resort, the Italian Riviera, or any other beautiful destination wedding location, planning a big event that takes place so far from home will require some careful consideration, and the sooner you get started, the better!

Weddings of all kinds have many moving pieces, and a destination wedding is no different. Even if you’re dealing with vendors in another country or reviewing catering menus from the other side of the ocean, many of the core components of wedding planning are the same.

Considerations like budget, number of guests, and venue are the first steps in any wedding planning, and you’ll of course be thinking about color schemes, décor, entertainment, food, memory-making, and all of the little things that coalesce to make a wedding celebration truly special.

Planning a Destination Wedding – the Big Challenges

Tips for Travel and Lodging for Destination Weddings

It’s highly possible many of your guests have never travelled to a destination wedding before.

It’s generally understood that most destination wedding guests are expected to handle the costs of their own travel and lodging. But the more guidance you can provide, the more likely your guests will all be able to stay comfortably in the same location. This will make it easier for them to arrive in time for all of the festivities, and have a truly wonderful experience.

Some resorts and wedding travel agencies like Sunset Travel and Cruise offer tailored packages for this exact purpose. Be sure to ask about group rates, blocks of hotel rooms, and shuttle services as you shop around for locations, venues, and businesses to work with. The more information you can provide, the easier it will be for your guests, and the more assurance you will have that everyone involved will adhere to the itinerary.

Local Vendors for Destination Weddings

When planning a destination wedding, it’s a good idea to rely on local vendors as much as possible. From flowers to catering, chairs to photographers, sourcing local vendors often means saving money. You also get the benefit of local expertise, cultural influence, and even recommendations through the local vendors’ existing relationships. Of course, it can be more difficult to vet each of these businesses, but with some patience – and, if possible, an in-person visit – you’ll be able to find the necessary vendors for your wedding right in the destination of your choice. Many destination wedding resorts have in-house wedding planners that can help you at every step of every decision!

On the other hand, traveling to another country for your wedding can come with some unseen risks. Make sure you’re aware of any local laws that may affect your celebration, the destination country’s requirements for marriage, what documentation you’ll need, etc. Taking the time to learn about all of these local-specific regulations in advance can help save you from big headaches as you plan your special day. Here are some great Tips for Planning a Destination Wedding.

Destination Wedding Documents

Traveling requires documents, and getting married requires still more documents… be sure to put in the effort to get things right! Working with travel agencies and wedding coordinators will certainly help you understand all the various forms and paperwork you’ll need, but your diligence is just as important.

In addition to you and your spouse-to-be, make sure your guests are well aware of passport needs, any potential immunization requirements, that they have the information they need to make it to your destination with confidence.

Hire Professionals

The best way to make sure your destination wedding goes smoothly is to hire professionals! Leaning on the expertise of a wedding planner and an experienced travel agency removes much of the guesswork, and you benefit from their planning experience, as well as existing relationships with vendors, hotels, venues, and beyond.

Professional travel and wedding services will make sure no detail goes unaddressed, including wedding insurance, contingency plans, travel arrangements, lodging, activities for guests, décor, and every other component that will make your destination wedding an incredible experience for everyone involved.

As you begin planning your destination wedding, don’t let the details overwhelm you!

The further in advance you get started, the more time you’ll have to find the right vendors, guests will have more time to make their own travel arrangements, and the less stress you’ll encounter throughout the planning process. You can also weigh some Pros and Cons of Having a Destination Wedding using our blog post.

For help designing the destination wedding of your dreams, recommendations for great locations, and any questions you may have, contact Sunset Travel and Cruise today!