Tips on How to Avoid Destination Wedding Disasters

Beach overlook wedding captured by Susan Pacek Photography.

There are many wonderful choices for a destination wedding, each with its unique charms, but one thing they all have in common is things can and will go wrong. It's inevitable. Your wedding day should be the day you've always dreamed of – not an unmitigated disaster. It can be difficult to foresee all the possible things that can go wrong with a destination wedding, which is why it's so important to work with a wedding planner. Here are some ways to avoid the most common destination wedding disasters.

Don't let your guests all make their own arrangements.

If you allow all of your guests to make their own arrangements, there's an increased chance that they'll be scattered all over the place, have complications making it to the venue, or have a terrible time during their stay because they happened to book a place that's not as nice as they hoped.

Not only is it more convenient to have them all in one place, but doing so also makes it likely you will be able to take advantage of any promotions, like discounts or complementary rooms for the bride and groom.

Don't ignore the legalities.

Having your wedding in a location you're unfamiliar with likely means you don't know the requirements and documentation you will need for the ceremony to take place. Make sure to go over all the requirements that apply to you with a fine-toothed comb and that you submit whatever documentation you might need to the relevant authorities in a timely manner. Quite often, things happen at a slower pace than you are accustomed to here in the United States. Be meticulous about your compliance, or you might end up not being able to be married after all.

Don't forget about your guests' considerations.

When planning your destination wedding, it's a good idea to take into consideration whether the guests that are really important for you to share your day with are able to join you. Yes, it's your day, but if no one is able to join you, that will take away some of the joy of the day. You'll need to consider when they would be most able to travel, what climates they can deal with if they have health issues, their budgets, whether or not they have kids (and what their kids might need), and more. 

Don't wait to book accommodations and travel arrangements. 

Destination weddings need to be planned and booked far in advance. And finally, don't book too late. If you're a procrastinator, this can be an absolute nightmare. It can mean there might not be enough room for your guests at the hotel, a last-minute rush to sort out all your guests and their respective payments, or paying a fortune in late fees and extra travel costs. You're also more likely to make mistakes when you're pressed for time.

Hiring an experienced destination wedding planner can alleviate wedding planning nightmares.

There are countless ways that a destination wedding can go wrong. Hiring a wedding planner will help make your special day as smooth and memorable as possible. Some destination wedding venues are all-inclusive and usually have their own wedding planner, but that doesn't mean you have to go with them. You are generally more than welcome to use an independent wedding planner.

When you work with us, we bring your destination wedding dreams to life. It's as simple as that. 

Get in touch with us today so we can get started planning your destination wedding!