Planning a Destination Wedding? 7 Important Questions to ask Yourself!
When planning a destination wedding, it’s important to consider the unique challenges that come along with planning a wedding away from home. The world of wedding planning can be overwhelming and brings in a lot of factors you don’t experience elsewhere. It can leave you questioning, is a destination wedding right for me?
Let’s be honest, when it comes to planning your wedding, there’s no one more qualified than you. After all, it’s your special day and you alone know what will make it truly special for you and your partner.
Here are 7 key questions to ask yourself when planning a destination wedding.
1. Let’s be honest. How much of a control freak are you?
Wedding planning of any kind can be a stressful event. The magnitude of details and decisions you must take can be overwhelming. There is a lot of ‘letting go’ when it comes to destination wedding planning.
You could be planning a wedding in a location you have never seen. Most of the finer details are only seen with 3 months to go. Your wedding coordinator is in another country and may not be as attentive to your needs as you would want.
Can you handle this? Can you go with the flow?
2. Guest list attendance – How important are your VIPS?
Sometimes, the success of your big day depends on who shows up and how many people you have in attendance. With a destination wedding, there is a chance that even your closest family members and friends will not be able to attend.
When creating your guest list, it’s important to remember that this isn’t just any ordinary day. You’re planning a destination wedding, which means that some of your VIPs may be unable or unwilling to travel long distances. This means you must prioritize who will be able to attend and adjust your expectations accordingly.
Before even considering a destination wedding, you need to see if this is a deal-breaker for you or your fiance. Talk to your VIPs and see if they are open and willing to attend a wedding in another country.
Is Zika a concern? Will your guests be paranoid about safety? Is the overall cost an issue?
Communication is key with the key players for your wedding. This may (or may not) help you right off the bat figure out if you want a destination wedding.
3. Can you handle extended time with your guests?
A destination wedding means days’ worth of time with your family and friends. Will you be able to handle the extended time, or will it become overwhelming?
If you’re planning a large event, with lots of people attending, you’ll need to think about whether or not being around so many people for an extended period of time will be too much for you.
Do you want extra time and special experiences where the two families can bond? Do you want a vacation (and potentially your honeymoon) with family and friends?
Being surrounded by family and friends is wonderful, but if it becomes too much, it could take away from the joy of the special occasion.
4. Formalities, are they for you?
Do you envision a grand ballroom filled with family, friends, and loved ones? Or do you prefer something more intimate, like an outdoor ceremony in nature? Consider your budget too – formal weddings come with higher costs than casual ones.
Also, take into account who will be attending your wedding. Are they traditional folks who would appreciate a formal event? Would they feel out of place if you opted for something more relaxed?
Formal events in tropical and outdoor weddings might be a little harder in a destination where everything is more relaxed and the climate is not as forgiving when wearing a 3 piece suit, or perfectly set hair and makeup.
Relevant: Here’s the most complete guide to destination weddings!
5. How important are wedding gifts?
If your guests are paying for airfare and hotel to attend your event, chances are you will not get the same type or amount of gifts you would get at home. Is this important to you?
While not everyone expects a gift, it’s still nice to show your guests appreciation for attending your special day.
No matter what type of gift you receive, make sure that any thank-you notes sent afterward express gratitude without putting pressure on guests who may have been unable to afford something expensive.
It’s important that your guests feel appreciated and respected regardless of the size of their contribution!
6. What is your budget?
IS planning a destination wedding really cheaper? Well, they can be.
Do you want to spend a fortune on this event, or would you prefer something more modest? It’s essential to understand what resources are available and how much money you can allocate for the big day.
If you are looking for more bang for your buck, a destination wedding can save you money! There are, of course, ways to go about saving money, but we can help guide you through this.
Relevant: Top 5 destination wedding costs to consider.
7. How private do you want your wedding to be?
Most beach settings do not afford total privacy. If a totally private wedding ceremony venue is of extreme importance, you will need to research the hotels in detail as not very many offer complete privacy.
Beaches in most countries are public, and although the area within so many meters of the hotel will belong to the hotel, they cannot close it off to all hotel guests.
Some wedding resorts offer premium locations with impressive views and absolute privacy for a rental fee, which may increase the overall wedding budget.
EXTRA: What happens after the wedding? Learn how to start your newlywed life with tips and tricks from true experts!
Conclusion
At its core, a destination wedding is an opportunity to create an experience unlike any other – one that allows you and your partner to start off your married life in an unforgettable way.
Your answers to the above questions will help you and your soulmate determine if planning a destination wedding is right for you.
With careful consideration of the details and thoughtful answers to these seven essential questions and with the help of the right destination wedding travel agent, you can create the perfect plan for your dream destination wedding!
Did you have a destination wedding and have any tips? We would love your feedback and will try our best to incorporate any ideas you have! Any doubts? Questions? Need a little help? Leave us a comment and we’ll make sure to get back to you.
