6 Ways To Plan A Destination Wedding

Brides and grooms just can’t get enough of destination weddings. And who can blame them? It’s cheaper, avoids the dismal UK weather, and means travel-free honeymooning. What’s not to love? Perhaps you and your partner met on the sandy shores of Hawaii or in the winter wonderland landscape of Lapland. Or maybe you just want to get a massive guest list off your hands. We get it. But how do you successfully plan a destination wedding? Follow our tips to organize a ceremony as smooooooooooth as a piña colada.

Destination Wedding Planning Tips

Wedding on the Beach | (cc) Photo By Rfkphoto

Choosing The Location

Is there a holiday spot that’s special to you? If not, you might want to consider choosing a location that’s mutually beneficial for your guests; especially if they’re spread out across the globe. Why make only one side of the family travel when you can make both (muhahaha…)?

If you can avoid it, don’t have your wedding somewhere that’s exceptionally expensive. It’ll soften the blow for any traveling relatives and their poor pocket books. Ultimately, go with your instincts – it’s your day.

Set A Budget

You really don’t want to bankrupt yourself before you reach the aisle. Make a detailed financial plan and stick to it. Keep your price range realistic – don’t blow everything on one day when you have the rest of your life ahead of you.

Make A Guest List

The great thing about creating a guest list for a destination wedding is that you can reduce the numbers considerably without experiencing a pang of guilt. Contact the most important guests of all and make sure that they can afford to travel. Intimacy is the name of the game here; it’s best not to invite throngs of distant relatives.

Research Marriage Requirements

It would be a tragedy for you to go to all the trouble of organizing a destination wedding, but end up unlawfully married at the closing of the ceremony. Research marriage requirements for the country. You may need documents translated in advance; get all the practical parts out of the way before you hop on your flight.

Get Local Help

It’s always an idea to have a small holiday at your chosen location before the wedding. This way, you can sort out the particulars of the big day and get a feel for the place. Get locals on board, whether that’s a stunning florist or wedding photographer. Research the best places to stay in the area and take back all the information to your eager guests, so they can start making arrangements.

Keep On Top of Things

In the months leading up to your wedding, always double-check that everything is still booked up for the big day. Send thank you gifts to people who’ve really pulled their finger out to help you, whether that’s your maid of honor or your wedding planner, and make sure that your guests are all prepared for lift-off. Create a check-list and know that you’ve done all you possibly can to organize your w-day. Then leave the rest to Lady Luck.

This post has been contributed by Hannah, a British lifestyle blogger and aspiring journalist. She has written this post for Knowsley Hall – click here for their country manor house and to consider this gorgeous venue for your big day.