Its all the rage… destination weddings! Becoming more and more popular everyday, this ‘unconventional-turned-conventional’ style of wedding has become an easier route, for some! While this may be the case, we at Ritché, thought we’d help out with some tips for making planning and prep of this style of wedding as seamless as possible. These tips have been picked up from our brides, good advice we’ve read, or just thoughts that we think may come in handy! Let us know what you think, any tips to add?
Save the Date – if the bride and groom are not paying for their guest’s flights and/or accommodations, it is commonly accepted that guests pay for their own… in lieu of a wedding gift. In this case, its only fair to give your guests plenty of notice before the date; a year or longer is recommended.
Purchase a Planner – considering all of the different things that could possibly go wrong when planning a destination wedding, the stress and pressure may be better delegated to a specialist. Wedding planners are not only liable but responsible and experienced in doing all things WEDDING, destination included.
Picking your Place – research, research, research! While resort offerings may seem fantastic, they may not greatly differ much from chain to chain. One suggestion is to research on forums and trip advisory sites (tripadvisor.com) to read reviews from real people and make your own judgement. It is always highly recommended to visit the location at least once, before full booking is complete.
Guys & Dolls – one of the most easily over-looked element to consider when throwing an event in a foreign country is hair, make-up and photography. Communication errors are more common than we would imagine, bringing your own or asking for a portfolio from local vendors (before booking) is highly suggested.
Stow & Steam – making sure that your airline can provide ample space for your gown is ideal, as well as ensuring that your hotel or a local vendor can steam any creases out of your gown prior to the ceremony.
Dont Forget the Necessities – aside from the bridal party (of course) there are specific items that tend to come in handy at a destination wedding; feel free to provide baskets of these in guest’s rooms. Some items may include: sunscreen, bug spray, nail polish, motion sickness tablets, bandaids, aspirin, blotting tissues, antacid, deodorant, clothing hangers.
Re-route Gifts – how else but via courier will a couple get all of their wedding gifts home after their destination wedding? While this is the most common approach, it can also become very costly; it is recommended to hold a pre/post wedding event where gifts can be left or to have guests pre-purchase on your registry.
