The Destination Wedding Mistakes Most Couples Make Before They’ve Even Booked
There is no denying that destination weddings have a certain appeal. You can choose a beautiful location, a place with meaning, and rather than it just being a ceremony you get to make it into something more personal.
If that’s not something you want for your big day then you’re doing it all wrong. However there are many different things that can go wrong when you’re planning a destination wedding. This article is going to look at exactly what some of these are so you can avoid them if you chose this option for your wedding.
Location Before Guest List
This seems like the obvious place to start right? You know some place, you’ve been there or you’ve seen pictures online that captured your heart. After all, it’s your wedding you get to choose. However weddings also come with guests for the most part. If this isn’t applicable then you don’t need to worry. But, if you are wanting specific people to be in attendance then your destination needs to be picked carefully. Can those you want to join you get there? Is it affordable and do you really want to be dragging your 80 year old grandparents to a remote island? The harder it is to access or the more expensive it is the fewer people might decide to make the trip with you
Not Researching Local Marriage Laws
Not every country is going to have the same marriage laws. Getting married in another state or even country won’t always be as straightforward as booking a venue at home. Some countries require residency periods before the ceremony, or you might need specific documents. Some US states have waiting periods before the licence application and the ceremony, meaning quick trips are off the cards. You can get around this by having a legal ceremony at home before a symbolic one at a destination. However, it’s best to research before you book so you know exactly what to expect when you arrive.
Ignoring the Shoulder Season
Sure, you want to take advantage of the best times of the year for your wedding. But peak season at your destination also means peak pricing, peak guests, peak crowds, and more importantly, peak competition for dates. The shoulder season, however, the weeks just before or just after the main tourist rush can often offer you exactly what you want at significantly lower rates, better vendor availability, and a location that won’t be as overrun with tourists. Generally, this is late spring and early autumn, and it’s worthy of consideration when booking your dates.
Not working with A Local Expert
Here’s the catch: You might think you can do your research from home, but you need someone on your side who knows the area and has a real relationship with the area and local vendors. This is especially true for those looking to get married in a different country. There are going to be many logical and cultural differences you need to be mindful of when booking. This is why you should work closely with someone experienced in helping people choose destination wedding venues. They’ll give you a starting point to help you understand what is and isn’t realistic and what you need to know before making your final decision.
Booking Too Far or Too Close to the Date
The sweet spot for booking your destination wedding is around 18 months to 2 years, according to most experts. Earlier than that, many guests struggle to commit as they don’t have their own schedules set yet. Flights aren’t bookable, and enthusiasm is harder to sustain over a longer period. However, if it’s less than this period, you might find people can’t afford to join you, flights might be booked, and availability isn’t there for your preferred locations or venues. It’s a juggling act that you need to manage with multiple variables to desire to get it right.
Underestimating Logistics for Guests
Your guests aren’t travel agents, and if you’re expecting them to make their own arrangements to get to you, then you need to be aware of what they need to get through simply to make it on the day.
Your guests will need clear information about which airport to fly into and what it’s roughly going to cost them. The packages available at the resort or local bookable accommodations. They need to know about car hire or transport from the airport to your venue. The more information you can give them upfront, the easier it will be for them to determine if it’s affordable for them, and the fewer people you’ll have dropping out because it was completely too complex for them to manoeuvre.
