How to Plan a Destination Wedding

Do you envision getting married on a beach in paradise or in a castle that dates back hundreds of years? You're not by yourself! Every year, thousands of couples organize destination weddings.

What's not to adore? In addition to being a ceremony, a destination wedding is also a vacation. An out-of-town wedding makes sense for couples who enjoy travelling, have distant relatives, or have "their place."

Naturally, there are special considerations and different planning inventories when marrying away from home (more on that later!).

Don't worry. As always, Flowersarch offers guidance for your unique occasions. With the help of our destination wedding checklists, advice, and recommendations, you may say "I do" far from home. Planning a destination wedding can be done as follows:

FAQ: All you Need to Know About Destination Weddings

'How do I prepare for a destination wedding?' is a question that anybody who has ever dreamed of a romantic elopement has asked themselves. as well as "How far away is a destination wedding?"

The following are the solutions to any of your urgent inquiries regarding organizing a vacation wedding:

How far away is a destination wedding considered?

This question, like most wedding questions, has a subjective solution. We believe that you can safely refer to it as a destination wedding if you're:

Flying
It took more than two hours to drive there.
To stay overnight for any duration of time

Naturally, this depends on your way of life. Think about having a destination wedding if you usually drive less than 45 minutes.

How soon to start planning a destination wedding?

It would help if you began organizing your destination wedding as soon as possible.

Remember that you need ample time to plan, budget, and reserve dates. The prerequisites for planning a home wedding are also present when planning a destination wedding.

Invitation time frame

Remember that 8 to 12 months is the best period for sending out your invitations, but you should begin planning and setting dates as soon as you know you'll be getting married out of town.

Guests can forget if invitations are sent out before that time. Visitors might need more time to arrange their trip if it's any later. Don't worry. Our destination wedding planning checklist below will cover this issue in more detail.

What is the best day for a destination wedding?

Saturday is the most common day of the week to organize a destination wedding. Visitors can arrive by plane on Friday, participate in the events on Saturday, and then return home on Sunday.

If your guests must take lengthy flights from abroad, you should change this. People may find it challenging to disembark from a red-eye (late night or overnight) aircraft if they travel from Europe to the US for their wedding and may be at the ceremony almost immediately.

Tip: Venues and providers may give lower prices on weekdays because Saturday is one of the most popular days for weddings and festivities.

How many guests should you expect at a destination wedding?

Remember that out-of-town ceremonies are more intimate than traditional ones when choosing how many guests to invite or expect for your ideal wedding retreat.

Initially, it would help if you chose between a smaller and a more significant celebration. Based on that response, you'll be able to determine how many people your plans and venue can accommodate.

After that, you should verbally gauge the number of people you hope to invite. Sending out formal invitations to your dates is different from this. You should find out as soon as possible if someone cannot attend.

Don't take it personally

Although trying to accommodate everyone in your life can be challenging, a destination wedding frequently means you have a restricted budget or space and will have to make some compromises. It also implies that not everyone who wants to go can do so because of financial constraints, schedule conflicts at work or school, or other obligations.

Ultimately, it would help if you only invited people you want to come. You should be surrounded by the people who mean the most to you on this important day.

How long do you stay for a destination wedding?

How long they and their guests should remain is another central question for couples organizing a destination wedding. It would help if you asked yourself the following questions:

How far are your guests travelling? Long-distance travellers must account for time zone differences and include a contingency for flight delays, among other things.
Will you be honeymooning in the same destination as your wedding? You might want to remain longer during your honeymoon if you and your significant other are getting married on your favourite Caribbean island, sometimes known as your "special spot." Another thing to consider is having guests stay to celebrate with you after the ceremony.
Are there room blocks at your chosen hotel or resort? For group blocks and hotel prices, several properties have minimum stays of one night.

Flowersarch Destination Wedding Planning Checklist and Timeline

To organize the months before your wedding, use our destination wedding checklist. Here is our destination wedding timeline and checklist for the year leading up to the big day:

12 to 18 Months Out

Budget. Determining the budget is the most crucial step in destination wedding preparation. Destination weddings often cost between $10,000 and $15,000. Make sure to account for all ceremony, reception, and travel expenses.
The guest list. Remember to check this against your budget.
Pick a destination. Make a list of your top five preferred spots to start. Examine the benefits and drawbacks of your preferred locations, considering factors like cost and visitor accessibility.
Check local law. Investigate local customs and laws in your ideal destination area in great detail. This includes the legal aspects of marriage and the specifics of the celebration and daily living there. A surprise in the shape of absurd municipal restrictions or rules is the last thing you want.
Agree on a date. To choose the ideal dates, especially for an outdoor ceremony, check the calendar, weather, hotel costs, and airfare.
Make a plan for the marriage license. Keep in mind that different countries have different legal requirements. You might need to arrange a legal marriage in your native country if you're organizing an international celebration.
Plan for passports and visas. Ensure your passports are valid six months before your trip dates and begin the visa application procedure.
Hire planners and travel agents. You should hire a wedding planner or travel advisor as soon as possible if you intend to use one.
Agree on a wedding theme and colour palette. This will assist you in determining the ideal location and your decorating budget.
Secure a wedding venue. Compile information on your venue's seats, packages, prices, and other features.
Reserve your honeymoon suite. Get suite pricing and safe accommodations if you continue celebrating during your honeymoon.

9 to 11 Months Out

Meet with your wedding party. Verify that all visitors have the required paperwork, such as passports, visas, and reservations.
Send out invitations. Remember to send out invitations ahead of time for your destination wedding so that guests have time to prepare.
Arrange a wedding room block or group rate. Whether your event or the area around it has a block of rooms, you should let guests know whether there are any promo codes they need to use to get the discounted price.
Create a wedding website or Facebook invite with critical details. Provide travel and accommodation details, maps, packing advice, and other preparations guests may need to make.
Plan any additional wedding-related events. Ensure to include minor details if your honeymoon and wedding occur at the exact location. 9–11 months away.
Decide between a gift or a wedding registry. While a wedding registry allows guests to donate money directly into the wedding budget, a wedding gift is something your guests choose for you.
Say YES to the dress (and tux). Additionally, because your wedding is taking place elsewhere, discuss the logistics of transporting the dress and tux.
Book your flight and rental car. You will pay less the earlier you make your reservation. However, most airlines only let you make reservations up to a year in advance.

6 to 8 Months Out

Vendors. To locate local suppliers, musicians/DJs, photographers, hair and makeup artists, and other wedding-related professionals, collaborate with your venue, travel advisor, or wedding coordinator.
Floral decor. Choose the floral arrangement you'll need and how to deliver it to your wedding venue, including the wedding arch and table centrepieces. As was already noted, there are several benefits to using fake flowers for destination weddings, including the fact that they won't wilt while being transported.
Take engagement photos. You may take care of this locally.
Finalize the wedding menu. When creating your wedding meal, collaborate with your caterer and location, considering you might need more time to sample it.
Book the rehearsal locations if you plan to have one. Rehearsals are still possible in destination weddings, but they are sometimes omitted entirely to save money and time.
Get your wedding attire fitted. This covers the bridal party as well as the attire of the bride and groom.
Pick dates and locations for bridal showers, engagement parties, and bachelor/bachelorette parties. A guest list, spending plan, attire, and registries should all be included.
Book wedding-day transportation. Ensure you have transportation to and from the ceremony if you won't stay at your location.

3 to 5 Months Out

Finalize your guest list. In the case of a destination wedding, the earlier, the better.
Purchase wedding accessories. This covers the shoes, the veil, the borrowed item, the blue item, etc.
Tie up any loose ends with the honeymoon. Verify that all the arrangements for the honeymoon are in order.

6 to 8 Weeks Out

Finalize:

All travel requirements, including reservations for flights and hotels
vows of marriage and the officiant
A videographer or photographer
Food and drink menu, catering information
A list of songs containing musical selections for the ceremony and reception
The reception's time, location, specifics, and the toast-makers
Documentation such as marriage licenses, passports, and visas,
Purchase presents for the wedding party and order wedding favours for your guests.

3 to 5 Weeks Out

Pick up your wedding rings! Make any last-minute changes to the size.
Have your final dress fitting. Bring your jewellery, shoes, and other accessories for the whole effect.
Start putting a packing list together. You're less likely to forget anything if you start early.

1 to 2 Weeks Out

Final call for your wedding dress and gown.
Verify each wedding party guest's flight number. This enables you to check for errors one last time.
Complete the seating plan and seating arrangements.
Recheck the weather. There have been instances of last-minute weather changes, particularly in tropical regions.
Get your honeymoon and wedding preparations underway.
Complete contracts and verify vendor times.

4 to 5 Days Out

Reach your destination for the wedding. To be present to welcome your guests, you should arrive a few days early.
Examine the space where your ceremony and reception will be held. If nothing else, it's crucial to get there early.
Meet with any vendors or coordinators.

The day before

Get your bridal dress pressed or steam-ironed. There are probably some wrinkles from travelling.
Have fun with your practice.
Make an effort to sleep!

Day Of

Make sure you have plenty of time to prepare.
Give each visitor your full attention and express gratitude for travelling thus far.
As the sun sets, ride away!

The Pros and Cons of Destination Weddings

Like anything else in life, there are benefits and drawbacks to getting married outside of town. Now let's examine the advantages and disadvantages of a destination wedding:

Pros: What are the advantages of a destination wedding?

Everyone wants to say "I do" away from their residence for a reason. There are several explanations. Think about:

Your honeymoon or vacation might start earlier and stay longer. You can have a wedding weekend or a week instead of a wedding day.
You'll find yourself spending more time with your loved ones more intimately and meaningfully. One significant benefit of having a small wedding guest list is that. A smaller guest list will always lower expenses, even when travelling.
Your guests will have a truly unforgettable experience. Who wouldn't treasure the memories of seeing your wedding on a Hawaiian beach? Destination weddings are, after all, vacations for all parties.
The globe opens up to those who are willing to travel. Consider this: Why let geography prevent you from having the wedding of your dreams if you reside in Florida and wish to get married in the mountains? To the mountains, follow your hearts.

Cons: What are the disadvantages of a destination wedding?

There are certain drawbacks to destination weddings, even if they might be a fantastic option for many couples.

When organizing your ideal getaway wedding, discuss the following topics with your partner:

A destination wedding's cost can rise rapidly. Certain places are more affordable than others. For instance, marrying in Mexico can be far less expensive than in the Hamptons. However, if you exchanged vows closer to home, several things (think lodging, transportation, etc.) wouldn't cost anything.
It will only be possible for some to come. Remember that destination weddings are more costly for guests, you, and your partner. Furthermore, some people might not be in the finest health to travel, and not everyone can take time from work or school to attend.
Legality is important. You most likely only need to obtain your marriage license if you're organizing a local event. To ensure everything is legal, you should take extra steps if you're getting married overseas. One part of your destination wedding master plan that you should begin as soon as possible is researching local marriage laws.
You must account for possible delays in your journey. You're likely interested in travelling in general if you're organizing a destination wedding. If so, you are familiar with the many kinds of travel delays that can occur, such as delayed or cancelled flights, overbooked hotels, road closures, passports or documentation that are last-minute missing, and so on. A single alteration could completely change your journey to this delicate schedule. Naturally, last-minute travel arrangements can be costly to change or rebook, and airlines and hotels sometimes offer little or no reimbursement.
It must be done correctly the first time. Has your boutonniere slipped your mind? Was your photographer abruptly cancelled? It would help to have more flexibility to handle these minor crises when distant from home.

Is it rude to have a destination wedding?

First things first: organizing a vacation wedding is not impolite or disrespectful. Your wedding day is a lovely event where two lives are formally united, a celebration and extension of your love as a couple.

It's up to you whether you want that day to occur in your grandparents' backyard or a 500-year-old Italian church!

However, it is impolite for someone to tell you that having your wedding the way you want it is improper.

Are destination weddings stressful? Nine tips to ease the strain

Every wedding—no matter how small or local—can be pretty stressful. There are numerous moving parts and almost as many opportunities for mistakes regarding attendees, locations, décor, food, beverages, etc. The burden is not lessened by including travel on that list.

Our top 9 suggestions for making your destination wedding go successfully are as follows:

Continue your investigation and then some more. Ensuring no surprises is the first step in organizing a stress-free wedding wherever. Spend some time checking the destination's weather and any cultural holidays. For instance, avoid hurricane season if you're organizing an island wedding.
Look up the weather. Even if there are severe storms and no hurricanes, wind and rain could cause damage to your venue or delay your trip.
Examine the calendar. Additionally, you should check the calendar for any cultural holidays. Ferragosto, for instance, is an Italian midsummer festival observed on August 15. Businesses will be closed this week, and most venues will be reserved.
Make a list of VIP guests before choosing your venue. On your wedding day, decide which of your loved ones you cannot live without. Next, consider whether they can actually make it to your selected place. Are they healthy enough to make the trip, can they afford the cost, and can they take time away from their everyday lives?
Reserve your space in advance. You are probably one of many people who would love to get married in a prominent location, and they are typically packed. Make reservations for resorts, flights, packages, etc., as soon as possible to guarantee that you obtain the pricing and dates that are important to you.
Do not break the law. For a destination wedding, a lot of people have two ceremonies. One is for gathering with loved ones and friends, while the other is for handling legal matters. Remember that ensuring your documentation complies with local and wedding destination laws may take weeks or months. Occasionally, this may call for extra costs, attorneys, or translations. Before choosing colour schemes, you should consider the location and time of the legal portion of your marriage.
Seek out group discounts. There are benefits to travelling and making hotel reservations in groups. Discounted prices, complimentary nights, free food, beverages, or services, and more are typical benefits of group reservations. Make your reservations as soon as possible to ensure everyone gets the best travel deals.
Think about a travel agency. Experience reduces stress and saves time. Seek out someone who works with destination weddings regularly. These planners can help you with topics they may need to become an expert in, like legal documentation, and frequently advise on getting married overseas.
Use fake décor. Artificial flowers are considerably easier to carry and save time and money. Furthermore, it can be against the law to transport certain kinds of live, organic flowers or greenery to your destination. Flowersarch's prefabricated floral arrangements eliminate the hassle of maintaining flowers, understanding flower laws, or hiring a florist far from home.