Details for Destination Weddings

January 28th, 2012

Soak up the sun and get a hold of the scenic landscapes as a part of the wedding theme itself. What’s more is that destination weddings are easy to plan once the bride’s got the right tools and the right attitude. With an aid of a wedding planner or a travel agent, set up the entire wedding venue from miles away and still get to throw the best wedding bash in the island.

Abuse the destination wedding theme, use it up from the color scheme to the favors and even up to the wedding menu. Local produce and delicacies are great conversation starters amongst the guests. Also, it makes for a warm slice of the locals’ culture and lifestyle.

Here are a few refreshing ideas for emphasizing the destination wedding theme, without having to stress out about freight and cost.

Preview the detour. Send the guests invites that are all about the destination itself. Have the front part of the invites designed as a map of the city or a picturesque beach front. Add in a little local flair and send a pack of the state’s own flower seeds along with the save-the-date. Use the country’s own language and write up the save-the-day in their own native tongue to have the guests hyped up for the trip.

Fold, pack and hang. If wedding decors for the reception worries both the bride and the planner, then fear no more. Affordable easy-to-pack decorations are available everywhere. Don’t worry about mixing and matching everything upon arriving at the site. The trick is to always go with white: white linen, white chairs, white tables and even white drapes. Bring along paper lanterns and tea candles that suit the wedding theme. Resourcefulness and creativity are the keys into pulling this trick off.

Little trinkets with a story to tell. As a great wedding giveaway, destination charms are ideal mostly because of their handy size. It won’t give the guests a hard time making it to their baggage limit right? Also, the charms are sure to be kept for a lifetime as it holds the memory of a great city and an even greater event.

Photographed on top of the world. For the wedding photo booth, use huge map for guests to pose in front of. Mark with a very noticeable heart or encircle the city or town where the wedding was held. The photo not only serves as a great wedding giveaway but also as a memorable trip souvenir for first-time tourists.

Gratitude in different languages. Before hurrying off to the airport, send out thank you cards to all the guests for their time and presence. They did travel miles away and missed a few days off work to simply celebrate the day with the couple. Saying thank you as understood by the entire globe isn’t enough, but it is a great start. Don’t forget to indicate the gift and write a short description on what or how it is going to be used.

Best Destination Weddings

January 28th, 2012

A wedding is a wonderful celebration that brings family and friends together. These days, however, weddings often require travel for many of the guests because people are spread out across the country. If many guests have long distances to travel to begin with, why not choose an exotic location and turn your wedding into a more memorable event for everyone?

Location, Location, Location…
Choosing the right place for your wedding should be first on your “to do” list. This day should be perfect from start to finish – that is why finding the right place should be first on your ‘to do’ list. The place where you and your fiancee will exchange vows will set the mood for your whole wedding celebration. Whether you choose to have your first kiss as a married couple on the beach, or dancing in a ballroom like Cinderella, there are many beautiful locations throughout the world to choose for a destination wedding.

One of the drawbacks of a destination wedding is the expense of flights and the added expense of accommodations that guests would need to pay for. Keep in mind that a lot of your guests may decide not to attend based on these factors. If you have problems with a guest list that is getting out of control, a destination wedding may be the answer to your problems.

Helpful Tip – send invitations early so that your guests will have enough time to make travel plans

Start planning early and book ahead. If you book six months ahead you get better rates on hotels and flights. American Airlines has a special wedding desk (1-800-545-8193) and can offer a special rate if you book for ten guests or more at the same time.

Helpful Tip – Keep in mind that there can be hidden costs such as hotel taxes and/or exchange rates if you are getting married in a foreign country.

According to one recent survey of brides, more than 20% of couples planning a wedding are choosing a destination wedding. One reason the destination wedding has become so popular is that combining your wedding and honeymoon can save money. Destination weddings may also cost less per guest than having your wedding stateside in an elegant ballroom. Finally, be sure to ask about complete wedding packages which are offered by many of the big resorts and cruise lines.

If possible, hire a wedding coordinator at your location (check references) and visit if possible beforehand. Sandals Resorts, for example, have offered a test-drive your honeymoon package from time to time that allows couples to fly in for a weekend and “try them out.” If a couple decides to book a honeymoon or wedding and honeymoon package, the cost of the weekend trip is applied to their honeymoon. Of course, specials like these are subject to change and may not always be available, but its worth looking into.

Before you go be sure to check on local marriage license laws and any paperwork you will need to bring – visa, birth certificate etc. If you are getting married outside on the beach, have a back-up plan if the weather is not cooperating. If you plan to marry in the Caribbean you may want to avoid hurricane season.

Most brides choose an informal style wedding dress for destination weddings because they are easier to pack and wear. Many designers are offering bridal gowns made from light, easy to wear fabric like chiffon and silk crepe that are perfect for an island wedding. Ask your local bridal salon for additional ideas and on how to pack your gown for travel. Many of the resorts may have ironing services or they may be able to recommend a pressing service. If traveling to Europe, ask for a local tailor shop.

About Destination Weddings

January 28th, 2012

Everyone is looking for ways to save money these days, and yet, when it comes to your wedding, you don’t want to compromise on style. Destination weddings are very popular with couples, and depending on how you go about it, they can be extremely expensive or surprisingly affordable. These are some great ideas on how to plan a destination wedding while saving money at the same time.

The most important thing to decide when you are having a destination wedding is the location. This is where a lot of couples can run into budget problems. However, if you keep an open mind, you can find alternatives that will have some of the features you like about a pricier destination, while remaining more affordable. For instance, let’s say that you love the excitement and glamour of Las Vegas, but live on the East Coast. Instead of incurring the expense of flying out to Vegas (not only for the bride and groom, but for everyone attending the wedding), look into booking a fabulous resort in Atlantic City instead.

Many other favorite destinations have good alternatives. Hawaii is gorgeous, but expensive. If you have always imagined yourself saying your vows on a beautiful tropical beach, why not choose a more affordable island that is more convenient to your hometown? You could do something great in the Bahamas or Jamaica for much less than Maui. Don’t forget to look into beach towns like Key West or even a beautiful setting overlooking one of the Great Lakes. With a bit of creativity, you can discover some fantastic locations.

Another way to keep your destination wedding affordable is to look for an area that has a range of hotel prices. In some regions, all of the resorts are incredibly expensive, but in similarly beautiful places, you can find resorts that are nice but not outrageous. You can even plan to have your wedding and honeymoon suite at the more exclusive resort, and then move to a less pricey hotel for the rest of your honeymoon. Your guests will also appreciate having a few options for hotel rooms.

When you are getting married at the beach, nature is so beautiful that you do not need to go crazy with a fancy gown or over-the-top decorations. Stick with locally grown flowers for the best prices. Rather than choosing a bridal gown that is heavy with fancy adornments, select one that is pretty, but simple. It will not only save you money, it will suit your location better. You can also cut costs on your accessories for an outdoor wedding. Instead of splurging on diamonds, look into custom bridal Swarovski necklaces. The beautiful Swarovski crystals will make custom bridal necklaces shimmer and dance in the sunlight, yet are quite reasonably priced.

One final tip on how to have a more affordable destination wedding is to think more locally. When the romantic vineyards of the Tuscan countryside are what you envision, look into California wine country instead. If you adore the beauty of Paris, Quebec City in Canada has all of the old-world European charm, but is only a short flight. When you do start looking for flights, also be certain to check a range of travel dates; sometimes staying an extra night can drop your airfare enough to cover the cost of another night in a hotel, with money left over.