When you were dreaming of your wedding, where did you picture yourself? In the sanctuary of the rural church, you grew up in or at a chapel on the boulevards of Las Vegas? In the county courthouse or at the historic site of a romantic manor? If you are someone who has dreamt of a fabulous destination wedding, you may have ruled it out reasoning that the cost would be too great. However, it is more of a possibility that you may realize. We have compiled some tips to help you make your special day a memorable one.
Location. Before you can work out the details, it is important to narrow down your choice of location. Say, for example, that your wish is to be married on an exotic beach. You can then work on a cost comparison between Tahiti, Jamaica, and Cancun. If the money is no object, you may then wish to take into consideration the recreational activities, restaurant choices and hotel accommodations that will be available to your guests.
Date. After you have chosen the locale, how do you go about setting a date? The most important thing to keep in mind is that the tourist seasons, having the most desirable weather and the greatest variety of entertainment, also bring larger crowds to contend with and heftier price tags. However, if you try to save money and travel in the off-season, you may encounter a different set of problems: scarce travel options and poor weather. With these facts in mind, experts recommend that you plan your wedding just as the major travel seasons are winding down. This results in late summer or winter.
Availability. Now that you have chosen the date you prefer, how will this work for the guests you intend to invite? No matter how well you plan your big day, if your friends and family cannot attend it is hardly a celebration! Therefore, before writing any checks for deposits, check with your friends and family members to see if they will be able to share the event with you. An added courtesy would be for you to add up the expected cost for travel and accommodations that your guests will be responsible for.
Details. Arranging for the wedding is difficult enough if you are marrying in your hometown, but the idea of planning for dresses, food, flowers, photography, and other “essentials” may seem daunting when trying to arrange for these things overseas. These are where two options (not unique to destination weddings) come into play. Some resorts, which are used to accommodating weddings, have created special “packages” that include the necessities. This can alleviate some of the stresses you will face. A second option is to hire a professional wedding planner from the area who will be able to reserve reputable venues and vendors at reasonable prices that fit your budget.
Legalities. One of the most common questions couples have about destination weddings is in regards to the legal requirements. The fact is that there is no blanket answer. In the United States, it is generally accepted that a birth certificate and simple blood test are all that is needed to apply for a marriage license. However, cross the border in any direction and these requirements can change drastically. Contact the consulate of the country you are planning to travel to, and there you will find all the details about needed paperwork.
