Planning a traditional wedding requires you to make decision after decision and attend to a million little details. And when you throw a destination wedding into that mix, the logistics of planning become even more complicated. In worrying about all the planning, it’s easy to lose sight of the big picture and the real reason for the day — your love for each other!
As you plan your destination wedding, don’t forget that your biggest concern should be coordinating a ceremony that is 100 percent you and your spouse-to-be. Here are a few things you’ll want to consider in planning a destination wedding that suits you perfectly.
Your Theme
Planning will go much more smoothly if you take a minute to think about the big picture before you start tackling the details. Where’s your dream location? Indoor or outdoor ceremony? What type of destination wedding do you want — formal, casual, all-inclusive, modern, country, luxurious, family-friendly, etc.? Choosing a theme first will help you stick to what you actually want.
Sources of Inspiration
Sometimes you don’t know what you like until you see it. Don’t be afraid to do a little research to figure out what you want. Look at pictures, check out wedding blogs, and read bridal magazines, saving any ideas you like.
On-Site Help
As much as you might want to be hands-on in planning your wedding, geography might put a damper on that. For this reason, you’re definitely going to want work closely with ImagineVIP to assist. Last-minute emergencies are a given with any wedding, and with someone on location, you can rest assured that everything is handled.
A Planning Trip
It’s hard to coordinate a wedding that complements your taste and personality if you don’t have a good idea of what you’re working with. If you can afford it, try to schedule at least one planning trip to your location to size up your prospective venues. You can get idea of the scenery, how much space you’ll have, placement ideas, and so on. This also gives you a chance to meet a wedding planner in person to discuss what you want.
The Weather
You might love the idea of a long-sleeved satin wedding gown with a six-foot train, but sporting all that on the beach in a humid tropical climate or on a glacier in Alaska might not be too fun! Take the weather and the setting into consideration as you choose your dress, the groom’s suit, and your wedding party’s outfits. You want everyone to look their best but also be as comfortable as possible.
Your Save-the-Date
You’ll want to mail out your save-the-date as soon as possible — at least 10-12 months before your wedding. Personalizing your wedding starts with your save-the-date, so make sure it reflects your chosen theme. It should give your guests an idea of what to expect, such as the level of formality (or lack thereof).
Your True Colors
Destination weddings often make brides feel limited to tropical colors or nautical shades to complement the location. But if those shades aren’t you, don’t feel pressured! Look at a color wheel and see which shades jump out at you. For example, you could choose two dominant colors and two neutrals, or three colors next to each other on the color wheel.
The Timing
Exotic locations often have seasonal constraints that you’ll have to consider. For instance, you might want to avoid peak tourist season or a destination that has large event happening.
Your Motif
A motif is a symbol or shape you use selectively in your wedding decorations, invitations, cake, etc. to tie everything together. Choose a motif that showcases your style and what’s important to you as a couple. You can do anything from a family crest to a stylish monogram.
The Rules
One of the nice things about destination weddings is that the “rules” don’t really apply. If a certain wedding custom is cramping your personal style, get rid of it! Your wedding should reflect you, not stuffy etiquette.
With these ten tips, we hope you can plan a wedding that is all you. Just remember that, when in doubt, do what you like!