What is a Destination Wedding?
To put it in simple terms, it is a wedding that takes place someplace other than where you or your immediate family lives. It could be a resort in the Caribbean, a Las Vegas Chapel or onboard a cruise ship. Any place where the Wedding can be combined with the Honeymoon qualifies as a 'Destination Wedding'.
The most popular honeymoon destinations are also the most popular for weddings, with the trend moving more towards 'active and exotic.' That said, mainstay locales like the Caribbean, Hawaii, Mexico, California and Florida are still the most popular choice for the honeymoons.
If you aren't sure that a destination wedding is right for you ... read on!!
The Do's and Don'ts of a Destination Wedding
Over the years I have compiled what I like the call the Do's and Don'ts of planning your destination wedding. There isn't a situation that hasn't crossed my desk in one form or another in the last 17 years. So let me share my knowledge with you, if you are looking at perhaps trying a destination wedding.
This is your wedding... but regardless of whether your wedding is at the church around the corner... or on a tropical island thousands of miles away... family is family and they will always give you their opinions. Sit down, just the two of you and honestly discuss with each other how important those opinions are to you. Many times I have had a wedding planned, deposits paid and the bride and groom have ended up cancelling and getting married at home because pressures from outside family just became too much. (One good thing.... You can always use the same dates and make it a honeymoon instead of a wedding).
So, you have discussed it and both of you have decided that your families are fine with this arrangement, (they might even want to join you) and you are ready to proceed.
Picking the island of your dreams
There are many Caribbean islands to choose from many have resorts that offer free weddings. Each island has a different legal requirement for "residency" paperwork needed and the time frame needed to get all this taken care of. Since requirements change frequently, call our office to find out the legalities for the island of your choice.
Book your package soon
Your wedding and honeymoon can be booked as far as one year in advance. Land portion can be done even sooner. Airfare can always be added into your package afterwards. Your wedding date and ceremony time need to be set up prior to your package to insure that you get the date you would like. Remember, this is your wedding first... vacation second!
A common mistake made by prospective Brides and Grooms is wanting to set up everything for their guests at the same time. Unless you are paying for your guests... don't worry about them. Set up your package first, and then inform them where you are staying, when you are arriving and departing and what resorts they would have to chose from either yours or a Sandals and Beaches Resort nearby. Many times you want to get the lowest price for your guests, but as you well know... everyone is different. You will have those people that want to come early or stay longer. They want a basic room or maybe a suite. They want to book now or they don't know if they can go or not and don't want to book until just before it is time to go.
The best thing to do is send out "Save the Date Cards" once your wedding and package is set up. These cards are sent out one year - nine months prior and only to those people that you would like to join you for your celebration. They are not a wedding invitation. These cards can be purchased at stationery shops or many times are created by the Brides and Grooms themselves informing people "When and Where" and sometimes a very basic "How Much". Always put the number of the travel agency so that they can call for more information... do not give yourself as the first point of contact. This will take the planning of this joyous occasion and turn it into a nightmare for you! Enjoy yourself; leave the stress and aggravation to me... I am used to it!!
Keep it simple
This is the most important of all! Isn't that why you have chosen to have a destination wedding anyways? If you wanted 300 people and a $40,000 wedding you would have had it at home. Open your plans up to your closest family and friends. Many times couples limit it to immediate family and friends and upon their arrival back home they throw a reception where the pictures and video will be available for everyone to join in the celebration all over again! The more people you have coming, the more you will worry that everyone will be happy... and remember, they are there for quite a few days perhaps... that is a lot of worry!
A Wedding at Sea, the Perfect Destination Wedding!
Another popular option is the cruise ship wedding! Most major cruise lines now have wedding coordinators on board ready to help you plan that special day. From the license to your bouquet.....everything is available through the cruise line. Whether you want to be married prior to the ship leaving port, while out to sea or on one of the exotic Caribbean islands you visit... there is an available option for you.
Celebrate your day with just the two of you, or invite your whole families! What better way to start a new beginning.
The Wedding Planner
Want to get married while on a cruise but not use the cruise ship's wedding department? Or are you interested in getting married on a Caribbean island but don't want to stay at one of the resorts that has an on-site wedding department? A critical element to planning a 'Destination Wedding' is a wedding planner. Usually this is someone at the destination who is coordinating everything for you and this is generally included in the wedding fee. Keep in mind that if a resort does not have a wedding planner, its likely they do not do that many Destination Weddings - something to consider when you're relying on a resort to make arrangements with photographers, videographers, etc.
So in deciding whether a 'Destination Wedding' might be in your best interest, remember value is key... combining the wedding and honeymoon. Reputable resorts that cater to weddings (many offer them free with minimum stay requirements) are very important to insure that your wedding goes smoothly. And most of all have fun, it is really what a wedding should be!