Planning a wedding can be stressful enough, but organizing a destination wedding abroad brings its own unique challenges. However, with some forethought and planning, you can pull off the international wedding of your dreams. Here are some tips for organizing a spectacular destination celebration.
Choose the Right Location
The most important decision will be where you want to get married. Consider the location, accessibility, weather, and legal requirements. Popular destinations include beach locales like Mexico, the Caribbean, or Hawaii. Europe offers romantic cities like Paris or Tuscany. Research locations thoroughly to find one that best fits your vision.
Hire a Wedding Planner
Working with an experienced wedding planner well-versed in the destination is highly recommended. A planner can recommend trusted vendors, handle legal paperwork, and troubleshoot any issues. Make sure you find someone who specializes in destination weddings in your chosen locale. Many resorts and hotels also have on-site wedding coordinators.
Set a Realistic Budget
Destination weddings tend to be more expensive, so set a realistic budget and get quotes early. Factor in travel/lodging costs for you and your guests, the ceremony/reception site fees, flowers, music, food/beverages, attire, and more. Be prepared for guest lists to be smaller for destination weddings due to travel costs.
Get Guests Excited
Once you’ve chosen a location, announce it creatively to your guests! Make a fun video invitation explaining why you chose this special spot. Help guests make travel plans by providing information on flights, accommodations, and local attractions. Consider organizing optional group excursions.
This is where a wedding website comes in handy. Use Riley & Grey to build a premium website, send invitations, and set up a gift registry. Wedding websites are the modern way to take care of all the details and keep your guests up to date on what’s happening.
Handle Logistics
Research visa/passport requirements to avoid last-minute issues. Book vendor contracts early – dates go quickly! For a symbolic ceremony, confirm if you’ll need to make your marriage legally official back home. Send welcome bags with helpful local info and gifts to guest rooms. Arrange transportation for guests arriving at various times.
Scout Early
If possible, take a scouting trip to tour venues months before the big day. You’ll get a feel for layouts, decor, and more. You can even do food tastings! If a trip isn’t feasible, ask your planner to Skype or FaceTime you on site tours.
Design a Unique Ceremony
Take advantage of your exotic locale and incorporate local elements. Hold the ceremony on the beach, in a historic church, garden or cliffside. Include local flowers, food, music, and attire to add flavor. Learn any special local wedding traditions you can include.
Consider the Weather
Understand average temperatures and precipitation possibilities for your date and location. Extreme heat, rain, or hurricanes could ruin an outdoor event. Have a weather backup plan just in case – move ceremonies indoors or provide shade/fans if it’s blazing hot.
Kick Back on Your Honeymoon
After all that planning, the last thing to do is sit back, relax and enjoy your first trip as newlyweds! Make sure to schedule a few days after the wedding for an incredible honeymoon. You could stay at a bungalow over the water or get adventurous with hiking, skiing or safari activities. Planning a destination wedding is major work, but if you pull it off successfully, you’ll have an unforgettable international affair!
As you can see, planning ahead, hiring a local planner, and incorporating destination elements are key to throwing a magical destination wedding abroad! Have fun!