The Destination Wedding Survival Guide For The Newly Engaged Couple
Surviving a destination wedding is a legit fear. Many newly engaged couples don’t know what they’re getting into when trying to plan their destination wedding. Most couples have this idea, that they will just find a place somewhere in a beautiful location, get married, then live happily ever after.
But there is a lot of planning that comes into play. To make this all come together, most couples eventually find out the hard way that it’s not so easy.
There’s so much to consider! From where to stay and how to get there to what gifts to bring. More importantly how to keep everyone organized. I wish I had this destination wedding survival guide back when I first started planning destination weddings! Check it out.
Get Started Right Away
In today’s post-COVID environment, dates & availability are booking up faster than ever before! Couples are eager to finally say “I DO!” in an amazing location. And they are trying to pick up where they left off before the pandemic! Now dates are booking up fast! Literally. Don’t procrastinate, start researching resort wedding venues & availability now!
You Don’t Have To Know It All-Surviving a Destination Wedding Requires Patience!
You may think you have to know everything about planning a destination wedding before you begin, but that’s simply not true! The truth is, you don’t need to have it all figured out to get started. The two most important things you need to start working on are:
- Make a list of potential destinations you would like to get married
- Then make a list of potential resort wedding venues to hold your wedding & wedding group at.
Surviving a destination wedding can be that simple!
Consider Doing a Pre-Wedding Planning Trip
Hey, who doesn’t like the samples at Costco, before you buy a 12-pack of hot chocolate bombs? Right? Once you have a destination wedding location chosen, then it’s time to figure out which wedding venue & resort to have your ceremony and host your group.
One of the most effective ways to choose a wedding resort & venue is to visit it first before you decide. If you are planning things in advance (and surviving a destination wedding requires that you do) this can be done multiple times!
In fact, many resorts offer special “wedding visit” packages to encourage you to visit their resort, hoping you will choose them for your destination wedding. And don’t forget to take a tour of the place you are visiting! The best tours are found here!
Surviving a Destination Wedding Get a New Email For Only Wedding Related Conversions
In order to have a successful destination wedding, you have to be organized. I always suggest that you create a special email address exclusively for your wedding & honeymoon. This way all of your wedding correspondence & conversations will be in one spot!
Believe me, this will save you so much time and probably money in the end. The last thing you want is a confirmation email requesting you to verify your wedding date & time at the resort, and you miss it in a crowded inbox sandwiched between emails from Peleton & your uncle’s gallbladder surgery!
Consider Getting a New Credit Card That Earns Miles
As long as you are going to be charging your wedding expenses, you might as well earn some reward miles to help you pay for your travel. This is a great time to open a new credit card that will earn you miles or points for future or even current travel. You could actually get your airfare paid for if you play your credit cards right!
Consider Working With a Destination Designer or Specialist
If you want to ensure that your destination wedding will be planned correctly, and reduce the stress and frustration you may feel when trying to plan this all on your own, it may be worth it to invest in a destination wedding designer or planner. A destination wedding planner or designer knows the ins and outs of a destination wedding and has plenty of experience setting up wedding groups, negotiating contracts, and managing all of the logistics for you and your guests. They will also make sure that you receive ALL the amenities & perks you will qualify for as well. Things that many resorts won’t tell you unless you ask.
How much money should you save for a destination wedding?
When planning a destination wedding, it is important to consider the rising costs of flights. Due to a growing trend in 2023, airfare has become increasingly expensive and can take up a considerable portion of your budget. Depending on the location of your wedding, you may need to factor in additional expenses such as passport fees, luggage fees, rental car fees, foreign visas and more.
To be prepared for these additional costs, couples should save up at least several thousand dollars prior to booking their flights. Prices often fluctuate throughout the year due to peak seasons and other factors, so booking flights far in advance can help you secure more affordable rates. Taking all these factors into consideration will help ensure that you have enough money saved up for a successful destination wedding.
What are the drawbacks to a destination wedding?
A destination wedding can be a beautiful way to tie the knot, but it does come with some drawbacks. One of the main issues is cost. Because of the additional fees associated with traveling and booking a venue at a faraway location, couples may find themselves spending much more than they would on a traditional wedding. Believe it or not, it is not necessarily the “cheaper” option.
A standard destination wedding will start at around $10,000. Larger groups or more elaborate weddings will start at $20,000. Of course, this also depends on the quality of the resort. The higher the quality the higher the cost. Check out my blog on how much a destination wedding will cost here.
And then, while the idea of having all their friends and family in one place sounds great, this isn’t always possible. This is due to budget constraints or other logistical hurdles. Couples may also struggle to get all their guests comfortably accommodated in one site for an extended period of time. This could result in guests not wanting to attend. This is the reality when faced with the financial burden of travel and accommodation expenses.
Couples may also have difficulty ensuring that everything goes according to plan if there are language barriers or cultural differences between them and their venue’s staff. I personally make sure that my clients are matched with wedding coordinators that are able to communicate well.
Ultimately, destination weddings can be beautiful events enjoyed by all involved. But there are also potential pitfalls that should not be overlooked before making a final decision.
Who pays for guests at a destination wedding?
Another thing to consider is the fact that the bride and the groom are responsible for the upfront costs. Some resorts require they pay 10% of all the rooms they are holding for their guests. These expenses are usually collected upon initial booking. Don’t worry, this is quickly absorbed once guests start booking their rooms.
Are destination weddings stressful?
No! I find that my destination wedding couples are less-stressed than traditional wedding couples, simply because there is less on their plate! Destination weddings are stress-free. The key to making sure that your destination wedding is a success lies in working with an experienced, knowledgeable travel advisor. I encourage my couples to work with advisors who specialize in helping couples plan their perfect day.
They have the expertise to take care of all the details from:
- securing the best venues
- managing the budget
- coordinating all of the vendors needed for your day
- help you plan activities and excursions
- assist with legal and travel documentation
- and so much more!
They will make your special day even more memorable. With their guidance, you can relax and enjoy your wedding without added stress or worry.
A destination wedding is a fabulous time of celebrating your marriage and having an amazing vacation all at the same time. Most of your family & friends are bound to have an amazing experience, but it’s never guaranteed—and the chances of having a bad one can happen once in a while. The best way to avoid problems is to implement these 6 tips in my survival guide.
And by the way. If you feel like you just need a little help planning your destination wedding, or you’re ready to have all of this lifted off of your shoulders, then I encourage you to use this link, to schedule a free 30-minute strategy session with me! I would be honored to help your figure out everything you need for your dream wedding to come true!
