When planning your big day, there are many options to consider. While the vast majority of couples opt for a traditional wedding close to home with their friends and family, a growing number of couples choose instead to have their nuptials performed far away, at a destination wedding. This option not only offers a beautiful back drop for your ceremony, but can also be a great way to save on the cost of your wedding. Most resorts and hotels such as the Hilton Garden Inn offer wedding packages that will offer to financially cover the bride and groom’s accommodations, as well as other parts of the ceremony and reception.
If you do decide on a destination wedding, here is a quick list of some of the “do’s” and “don’ts” to remember:
- Do – Consider the guests you would most like to attend your far off affair. While it may be tempting to pick the most exotic, and most wondrous location you can imagine, if you actually want people to attend, you should make sure that getting to your wedding is a manageable expense for your most important guests. If you know that they like the Melbourne lifestyle, then have your wedding there.
- Do – Hire a wedding planner like the Dallas event planners! If you do not know where to start, Bridal Guide has a list of top planners by state online. While this may be seen as an unnecessary expense for weddings closer to home, when your big day is taking place hundreds or thousands of miles away from where you live, its best to have someone handling the small details and logistics so you don’t get too overwhelmed.
- Do – Hire a wedding videographer. A video of your wedding is the perfect way to preserve it forever. These days, you can find pre-made packages that include everything from shooting and editing all at once or buying individual components like film stock separately; whatever suits best with what kind of memories are most important for you! Wedding video prices vary depending on where they’re shot (dance floor? Tunnel shots?) which equipment package needs completed first (sound engineer needed?). But don’t hesitate it is well worth the expense to capture your wedding day for eternity.
- Do – Research the marriage requirements in your selected destination before making your final decision. While you may think you know what you need to do to prepare for your legal union, the laws and licenses required in your selected destination may be far different than what you expect. Make sure you go over this in detail with your wedding planner (see above!) and give yourself plenty of time to apply for any additional licenses you may need to tie the knot. And you should also hire North Virginia Elopement Photography to take photos for this special occasion.
- Do – Practice some restraint when decorating the space. If you’re flying attendees to Lake Tahoe to see the spectacular view, don’t detract from the surroundings with an overwhelming host of flowers. Decorative lighting can help enhance your environment (instead of distract), so consider utilizing white Christmas lights, candles and more.
- Don’t – Wait until the last minute to send your invitations. Presumably your guests will need to put extra time, effort, and money into planning how they will get to your wedding. Make sure to let them know the date and location of your wedding well before the big day.
- Don’t- Buy a bulky bridal gown. Believe it or not, transporting a wedding dress by plane can be a bit of a challenge, as you have to account for the way its handled, packaged, treated by security and stored. Save yourself the added stress and opt for a slimmer, more manageable garment. Plus, you don’t want a heavy train to weigh you down as you tip your feet in the ocean or position yourself for photographs alongside the Grand Canyon. David’s Bridal has a section of wedding dresses that feature higher hemlines so you can enjoy the freedom of unrestricted movement.
- Don’t – Expect that everyone will come. Even if you abide by the first “do” in this list, some of the people you invite will not be able to make it. Cost and time will be big factors in your guest’s decisions on whether they can make it, so plan accordingly.
- Don’t – Sweat the small stuff. Brides and grooms can drive themselves mad planning every detail of their wedding when it’s down the street, much less in a different time zone. Hire an experienced wedding planner, and delegate tasks to your future spouse, parents, and members of your wedding party. Choosing the right wedding bands can also be tough especially for guys but don’t you worry because you can actually buy mens wedding bands online which are high-quality.
