Did you get engaged over the holidays? If so, Congratulations on your recent engagement! Now that you’re engaged, the work begins with planning your wedding. Do you pick a local venue or do you look into planning a destination wedding? Decisions, decisions.
Deciding where you’ll tie the knot is almost as important as determining how you’ll do it. Popular media has built an image in our collective minds that destination weddings need to be elaborate and expensive to be memorable. However, this simply isn’t true. Some of the simplest destination weddings are some of the most memorable. Just ask our past clients who tied the knot at their favorite destination. Depending on the details of the wedding, you may find that a destination wedding is more affordable than a local venue.
Celebrating the Ring as You Ring in the New Year
Brides Magazine surveyed a large group of brides in 2018 and discovered that 14% of engagement proposals take place in December. Over 28% of those took place on a holiday or a holiday celebration event. With the New Year rolling in, it’s time to share your joy with friends and family and celebrate your engagement. There will be big decisions to make such as when the wedding will be, what style of dress the bride will wear, and where you’ll celebrate the big day.
Planning a Destination Wedding
If you have opted for a destination wedding instead of a local venue, it’s best to start the planning as early as possible. We recommend starting at least 9 months prior to your wedding date, but preferably one year out. Planning early helps you find the best availability, pricing, and options you desire for your special day. You don’t want to wait too long to find out your dream resort is booked full and you have to settle for something else, or be forced to pick a date that has no special meaning to you.
Next, you’ll need to figure out where you want to have your wedding. Many people don’t realize that you also don’t have to leave the country to experience a destination wedding. A destination wedding could be on a beautiful beach in Hawaii or even Florida. Maybe some place more rugged, such as the Grand Canyon, or perhaps at a beautiful resort in the snowy mountains of Colorado. There are so many amazing places you can pick from.
Hiring a Planner
With so many details and ever-changing trends, (along with covid restrictions) planning a wedding on your own can become very overwhelming very fast. However, once you’ve decided on a location, or even if you’re still a little unsure, it’s time to hire some help. Wanderland Escapes is a travel agency run by a very talented and certified destination wedding specialist.
Rebecca and her team have you covered whether you choose to keep your celebration in the US or want to go somewhere more exotic. Mexico and the Caribbean are very popular destination wedding locations due to their low costs and their abundant all inclusive resort options. However, consider exploring US areas as well. As specialists in travel around the US, Mexico, the Caribbean, as well as being an expert in Hawaii, no matter where you want to marry your sweetheart, we can help make it happen.
We are also well versed in location specifics regarding same sex marriages. We know the ins and outs of every location, so we would never send you somewhere that same sex marriages aren’t welcome. (Sadly this is true in some countries) At Wanderland Escapes, we do not discriminate and celebrate love in all forms. We want to make sure your day is magical and not full of problems.
Destination Wedding Costs
Another important step is to figure out what your budget is going to be for your wedding and lodging. There are some basic expenses to consider for you and your guests. It’s also important to find out what your attending guests can afford. This will help you with choosing a resort that works for everyone.
Another thing to know is that there are often group pricing discounts, which makes it even more affordable for you and your guests. Typical destination wedding contracts allow you to make a deposit to hold the room block which allows you and your guests to make payments over time for their lodging. The only real trick is getting your guest list to commit to going, so you’re not penalized with room costs if your guests flake out.
How to Make the Most of Your Budget
There is only so much you can learn about planning a destination wedding from the internet. Hiring a professional with local contacts and more information about the destination and the resorts that offer wedding services will ensure that you get the most bang for your buck. Plus, a professional will keep all of your guests fully informed so you don’t risk your maid of honor being denied entry because she didn’t realize she needed to take a covid test in order to travel.
Additional Tips For Saving Money
- Get “officially” married before you go to your destination
- Ask a friend or relative that is a talented hobby photographer to do your photos
- Rent decorations from the venue
- Have your wedding during the offseason and not on the weekend
- Have it at an all inclusive resort to include food and alcoholic beverages, as well as an onsite wedding planner to assist
Modern wedding expectations also no longer require you to go into debt to celebrate your nuptials. Consider options such as Honeyfund and families pooling resources together instead of gifts to help you make your dream wedding happen. You can also check out this blog for more tips.
How to Involve Those Who Can’t Attend
Technology has come a long way since shoulder-balanced camcorders and hiring professional videographers for grainy images. With digital recording and live-stream resources, you can share your big day with anyone in the world, even if they didn’t step foot in the venue. It could be as simple as doing a facebook live on someone’s phone to share with someone who couldn’t travel. You could also claim a hashtag, and ask friends to share their photos from the event with that custom tag making it easy to find on social media.
Let’s Start Planning a Destination Wedding
For many brides, their dream wedding has been an image in their minds since they were tiny tots. Some may want the big wedding with all of the features and a large guest list, but others may prefer to elope without all of the extensive planning and guest invites. Whatever your preference, Wanderland Escapes can help you make it be exactly what you’re wanting.
We’re here to help you create wedding memories that everyone will cherish for generations. Our team of travel specialists are excited to help you with your wedding as well as the honeymoon after. Contact us today to discuss your dream wedding and honeymoon plans.
