Weddings are always a special occasion. But there’s something truly magical about celebrating a wedding at a special place away from home, whether it’s an exotic beach or where you and your soon-to-be spouse met.
However, planning a destination wedding is no easy feat. There are many things to consider, and everything becomes harder to plan when more distance is involved. With that said, there have been so many amazing destination weddings – just look at the average celebrity wedding, and there is no reason why yours shouldn’t be just as glamorous.
Choosing the perfect location
If you’re dead set on having a destination wedding, you might already have a top destination in mind or at least a few strong candidates. Whether you do or don’t, here are a few key factors to consider when choosing the location for your wedding:
Size of the venue
Unless you plan to hold a very small wedding, the size of the venue has to support your expected guest count. Destination weddings typically have fewer guests than hometown weddings. However, you still must leave some room for comfort. Sure, having the wedding at the small university town you met is cute, but does it have a venue to support a wedding?
Is it accessible?
The location should also be realistic for the average guest to reach. Very remote locations sound good on paper, but they could be a nightmare to organize, especially if there’s a lack of service providers in the area. Don’t think everyone will be able to afford to get to your destination either. However, there is a useful tip you and your loved ones can benefit from: you can use a travel VPN to potentially find cheaper rates. This way, you ensure a less expensive destination wedding, making it accessible to guests.
In addition to securing better travel deals, having a secure and reliable network connection is crucial when planning a wedding remotely. From handling vendor contracts to managing digital RSVPs, ensuring protected access to critical data can prevent cyber threats and connectivity issues. A well-implemented, secure SD-WAN solution allows couples and planners to coordinate efficiently, keeping sensitive information safeguarded while organizing the perfect destination wedding.
Climate
When thinking about your ideal wedding day, consider the climate. Is it a hot summer day, or are spring flowers blossoming in the background? Weather can greatly impact your wedding experience, so research the typical weather patterns for your chosen date and location. If you’re dreaming of an outdoor ceremony, you’ll want to avoid regions prone to extreme weather or rain during that time of year.
Coordinating with vendors
Dealing with vendors can be a nightmare, as it is, but doing so remotely makes things much more complicated. Essential vendors include venue organizers, caterers, photographers, musicians, and florists.
The best way to select vendors is through referrals from other couples. Look for vendors with a strong portfolio that matches your desired style. You could also collaborate with local wedding planners who can find and coordinate with reliable vendors on your behalf.
Contacting vendors is very important, but don’t neglect your data privacy along the way. You will likely contact many agencies, caterers, and vendors, and often, businesses keep your contact information. This data can then be sold to third-party databases, leading to those annoying marketing emails you receive without knowing why. Thankfully, you can use data removal services right after your big day.
Managing guest accommodations
A wedding would be nothing without its guests. It’s what makes the celebration worthwhile – the presence of loved ones sharing in your joy and creating lifelong memories. To make that possible, you must find comfortable and convenient accommodation for the guests, which includes a place to sleep and transportation from and to the wedding.
Here are some tips for providing the best possible accommodation for your guests:
- Book early: Start researching accommodations as soon as you decide on your wedding destination. Booking early will give you more options and often at better rates than doing it at the last minute.
- Negotiate group rates: Many hotels and resorts offer discounts for booking a block of rooms. Contact several options to negotiate the best group rates for your guests. Don’t forget to consider the location of these hotels, as you don’t want them to be too far from the wedding venue.
- Coordinate transportation: Arrange transportation options to and from the wedding venue, especially if it’s not within walking distance from the accommodations. Shuttle services or carpooling can help guests arrive on time and reduce stress.
Conclusion
While all weddings are special in their own right, signifying a life-long union of two people, a destination wedding adds an extra layer of magic and adventure. As good as that sounds, planning such an event is a lengthy process that requires strong coordination and attention to detail.
However, the effort is undoubtedly worth it. Remember to savor each moment of the journey, from the initial planning stages to the final “I do.”
Written by: Catherine Weitzman
