If you’re getting married somewhere exotic, chances are you have a lot of questions, and a lot of those inquiries revolve around when you should get married. Getting married in the Caribbean, on the other hand, requires a whole different timetable than getting married in your backyard. Destination wedding planning is full of milestones, so we’ve compiled a list of the most essential ones for you today. Staying on track and on schedule when planning a long-distance event is easier than you would think.
When should I hire a wedding planner?
It is recommended that you hire an expert wedding planner at least 10-12 months before your destination wedding. This will help you in the planning of your destination wedding flawlessly and keep every single detail perfectly scheduled.
When should I make a decision on a location?
However, after hiring a wedding planner, the first step should be determining a particular place for your wedding. You may already know which country or which area of the state you want to be married in, but determining a specific location should be the first step. Your wedding planner will be able to tell you which locations will (and will not) work for your big day.
Some couples dream of getting married in the small town where they grew up but discover that the town’s noise ordinances conflict with their late-night reception plans. Others find that the two-hour bus ride up into the isolated hillside is too much for their guests to bear. If this is the case for you, consider a destination wedding in another country. Because logistics will often play a role in determining the actual size of your wedding, it’s important to pick your wedding venue as soon as possible after engaging your wedding planner, even if you’re 1-2 years away from saying “I do.”
When should I make my reservation for the venue?
We suggest scheduling your venue 12-16 months in advance for destination weddings. As a result, the needs of various locations will vary. These venues may be reserved up to 18 months in advance if it’s a well-known location for destination wedding ceremonies. This is where your planner comes in—she will be able to tell you which venues demand how much prior notice to reserve. Because so many things may happen over a lengthy period of time, some venues won’t accept weddings that are more than a few years out, such as 2 or 3 years, because it doesn’t make financial sense for them to have a wedding on their books so far out.
Should I send out Save the Date cards now or wait until later in the year?
When planning a destination wedding, send out Save the Dates 8-12 months in advance—much longer, and guests may forget about your event; any shorter, they may not have time to arrange travel and accommodations at a reasonable price. Depending on where you are married and how near (or far) it is to (or from) where most of your guests are coming from, you may choose to go with an 8-month or 12-month timeline.
While a destination wedding in California may only need 8 months’ notice, a destination wedding in Budapest with most of your guests flying from the United States would likely demand 12 months’ notice..
It is important to remember that even if money, childcare or work schedules aren’t a problem for you, many of your guests will be. In order to avoid hefty last-minute booking costs, make sure you’re giving your guests enough time to book flights and hotels.
When should I send invites out?
Invitations to destination weddings should be sent out at least two to three months in advance. They may seek time off work, arrange childcare, and make travel arrangements if required. If you’re being married in a location where you need to send a lot of information to your guests, make sure to put your wedding website’s URL on your invites.
All-Inclusive Destination Wedding Etiquette
What is the best time of year to have my destination wedding?
Seasonal changes may have a significant influence on your schedule and availability. The average rainfall for each month should be checked to ensure that your outdoor activities don’t occur in the midst of a hurricane or monsoon season. High tourist season means pricey rates and crowded attractions, whereas low tourist season means lonely streets and closed hotspots.
When should I inform my guests that I'm having a destination wedding?
It is recommended that save-the-dates be sent eight to twelve months before the wedding. The formal invitations should be sent out no later than three to four months prior to the event date. Guests will have more time to make plans if they have a longer advance time, although the lead time for domestic locations might be a little later.
Who is going to pay for guest accommodations?
Guest accommodation and transportation costs are often anticipated, but you should make this as plain as reasonable to your guests. Delicately lay out expectations by recommending hotels or booking websites to stay at. Emphasize to your guests that they must book their own rooms in a hotel room block. In order to spread the news about your big day, your wedding website and save-the-date cards will be essential.
Do I need to help guests book travel?
In order to make things easy for everyone, it’s a good idea to book their flights ahead of time. Having a travel agent handle all of your group bookings, enter everyone’s travel information, and shop around for the lowest prices may make your life a lot easier. In addition, they may be able to get additional services and enhancements. Share airline deals and trip plans with friends and family by setting up a group chat on Facebook or another social media platform. Everyone will be on time and well-informed if you provide a wedding itinerary.
Is it necessary to have a registry if I'm having a destination wedding?
In light of the rising prices of wedding guests, you may want to rethink giving presents. Let guests know that their attendance is the finest present by including a message on the invites or on the wedding website. Gifts should be delivered home instead of being brought to the venue or virtual gifts like gift cards or money for a honeymoon fund might be used instead of a registry. In fact, several resorts even offer their own honeymoon registries for in-house activities.
Final words
Designed Dream is an award-winning wedding planner with over 10 years of experience. Our experts can help you to plan your dream wedding in exotic locations. We have helped hundreds of couples to make their dreams true by crafting perfect events. Call us today to have a free consultation with one of our specialists.