How to Plan a Destination Wedding: 5 Expert Tips

Deciding to plan a destination wedding is exciting! It can also be overwhelming. We put together some tips to help you get started and stay on track

Decide whether a destination wedding is right for you

It’s very important to make sure a destination wedding is what you really want before announcing it to family and friends. Once your plans go public, everyone will have an opinion. I’ve seen many couples fall right here under the pressure of opinions. If you are truly excited about having a destination wedding, the naysayers won’t bother or budge you. How do you get to this point? Listen to each other and communicate well as a couple. The best way to get personalized answers on what’s really involved is to connect with a destination wedding expert.

Consider your guests

Price is a huge factor for destination wedding guests. Help them by considering their budget. The average guest at an all-inclusive resort wedding in Mexico will spend $1500 for a 3 night stay with air. However, the price changes dramatically for other destinations, say Antigua or Tahiti. Talk about this as a couple to agree on what’s really important. I have had couples plan weddings to Tahiti because it was their dream and they knew the family could make it happen. I’ve had other couples that planned very budget friendly celebrations but still had to pitch in for a friend who couldn’t afford the trip. The best option will marry your dream location with the budget of those closest to you. If you are concerned about this or have questions, take the time to talk to an expert. Working with a travel guru who can make recommendations and answer your questions from experience puts you ahead of the game.

Give destination wedding guests time to plan

The average planning time for destination weddings is 9-12 months. Let guests know in advance the costs and details so that they can plan. By the way, this is why our services include complimentary Save-The-Dates and a personalized travel info page. Getting expert help should make it easy and stress free for you to plan this wedding.

Pack well

It’s always cheaper to check a second bag (or ask someone else to) then it is to ship overseas. Shipping boxes can be quite a headache since they don’t always clear customs. Above all else, plan to carry your wedding dress on the plane with you. Pick a well reviewed dress bag off Amazon and consider it your carry on. You’ll probably have to put it in the overhead bin, so make sure that it doesn’t get crushed by someone else putting their suitcase on top. Yes, it may wrinkle, but it will get to the destination with you. Checked luggage gets lost too often to take that risk with your prized dress. Advice: either bring a hand steamer or arrange with the resort to have your dress steamed upon arrival.

Consider visiting your destination wedding resort in advance

Destination weddings are not without plenty of decisions. You’ll be selecting menus, locations, chairs, decor, table centerpieces, drinks, vendors and more. As a destination wedding planner, I walk couples through all of these options on a daily basis using pictures and video. However, it’s much easier to make these decisions on property. Ask your destination wedding planner to help you arrange a visit. They may very well be able to get you a discounted rate. Pro Tip: We can help you arrange this. Click here for details.

Vacations With Flair takes the stress out of destination wedding planning! Learn more here.