This week, I started gathering initial information for a wedding I may be planning for 150 guests in Puebla, Mexico. If you are considering going the destination wedding route, let me tell you... It's not a bad idea to hire a consultant to help you with this undertaking [and I'm not just saying that because I am one!]. If you think planning a local wedding is a tricky task, try coordinating all of the details from a completely different part of the world!
As long as I'm doing so much background work, I thought I'd share with you some planning tips and etiquette tidbits so you don't need to reinvent the wheel when/if you begin planning your own destination wedding. To make this as concise as possible, I'm going to format this particular blog as a Q & A article. This is a vast topic that I could write pages about, so I'll start with the basics. If there are any major questions or topics you feel I left out, send me an email and I will get back to you with some answers. :)
Q: Is it necessary to pay for my guests?
A: In general, it is not required that you pay for your guests' travel costs or accommodations. Of course, if you're able to pay for even a portion of the cost, your guests would certainly appreciate it. Either way, try to choose a location where there are several price points available in terms of food, lodging, flights, etc., and then let your guests decide for themselves.
Q: Should I bring my own vendors?
A: At the very least, I recommend that you bring two very important vendors with you: your wedding consultant and your photographer. As mentioned earlier, destination weddings can be very complicated to coordinate. Hiring a planner and having him/her accompany you to your chosen destination can be a serious stress-saver (and a major disaster-averter).
I recommend you bring your photographer because he or she will be with you your entire day and capture those memories you'll cherish throughout your whole life. I always stress how important it is to meet with him/her several times prior to your event to ensure that you share the same stylistic visions. This can be very difficult to do from across the world, which is why I recommend finding one in your local area and asking them to travel with you.
Q: Should I have a reception back home?
A: If possible, absolutely. This gives friends and family the opportunity to celebrate with you even if they were not able to travel with you. Tip: Share photo slides and video from your ceremony at this reception... Everyone will love to see what they missed!
Q: How can I avoid hidden costs associated with a destination wedding?
A: The best way is to ask a lot(!) of questions to uncover all of the hidden costs, and then to make final decisions after incorporating these into your overall budget. Resorts often present wedding packages as if everything is included in the price, but often, this is not the case. Inquire about extras such as deposits, hidden clauses in hotel contracts, setup fees, clean-up fees, and cake-cutting costs before signing on any dotted lines.
Q: Should I risk bad weather and plan my wedding during 'low-season' in order to save money?
A: No! There are many other ways to save money. My advice is to not risk bad weather if you can help it. Working with a wedding planner and a travel consultant who have negotiating power will help you save without forcing you to risk much at all. It's just not worth it.
Q: How do I look up the marriage legalities for my destination of interest?
A: Your wedding consultant is the best resource for this. There are many websites with info guides pertaining to various destinations, but I would not swear by them. Contacting actual officials and/or researching on official government websites is better than referring to these online sources. Avoid last minute mishaps and know all of the requirements before you travel to your destination spot. {Did you know England requires a seven-day residency before a marriage certificate can be issued? Were you aware that some areas in Mexico require x-rays and blood work before you can be wed?}
Hopefully this helped provide some clarity and direction for those planning a destination wedding. Part II will follow with more information and planning tips sometime in the near future (but for now, I need to get back to my research on Puebla, Mexico!). Always feel free to e-mail or call with your wedding-related questions or concerns. Happy planning!
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