Faraway Nuptials: How To Make Your Destination Wedding a Success
There is something breathtaking about saying “I do” with the ocean or a beautiful mountaintop sunset as your backdrop.
Many couples dream of exchanging vows in stunning destinations such as an Italian vineyard or the gorgeous tropical beaches of the Caribbean.
But how can you organize a destination wedding that doesn’t become a logistical nightmare?
In this article, we will discuss challenges you may face, factors to consider, and ways to organize your destination wedding.
Table of Contents
What Is a Destination Wedding?
Simply stated, a destination wedding is one in which the wedding ceremony takes place outside of the couple’s current place of residence or childhood hometowns.
Although many people associate destination weddings with ceremonies in foreign countries, it could also be a location that is a few states over.
Some common characteristics of destination weddings include:
Travel: Guests often have to book hotel rooms or flights to attend the wedding.
Activities: There are often extra wedding activities over several days, like a vacation.
Smaller guest list: Couples typically have more intimate guest lists due to travel.
Package deals: Often, couples can simplify planning through all-inclusive resort options or package deals.
Reasons people may choose a destination wedding over a traditional wedding include:
Quality time: The couple and their guests can spend more quality time together.
Cost-effective: When guests cover the costs of their travel, it may be more cost-effective than a traditional wedding.
Built-in honeymoon: Couples can combine their travel into a honeymoon as well.
Memorable experiences: It creates a unique experience for the couple and their guests, including cultural ambience, stunning landscapes, and more.
5 Challenges You May Face While Planning a Destination Wedding
Planning a destination wedding is not without its challenges. Coordinating travel arrangements on top of typical wedding decisions can be intimidating. Below are some challenges you may run into in the planning process.
#1: Distance
Distance can throw a wrench in wedding planning for several reasons, including:
Lack of in-person meetings: It may be impossible to tour the venue and meet with vendors in person. Therefore, you may have to rely on reviews and phone calls or virtual meetings.
Vendor coordination: It is harder to coordinate the details of your wedding vision when you are working with vendors from afar.
Guest commitment: You are apt to have more guests decline the invitation due to logistics and costs associated with travel
Time: Planning from a distance can take more time, and there is less room for last-minute changes and decisions to be made
#2: Language Barriers
If you are planning to get married in a location where the language is different from your own or that of your guests, there may be some challenges.
These include:
Communication: It could be difficult to communicate important details about your wedding with your vendors and the venue. This can lead to misunderstandings about your wedding vision and difficulty resolving problems that arise.
Guest misunderstandings: Information such as dress codes, cultural considerations, menus, etc., will need to be translated for guests if the language of the country is unfamiliar to them.
Navigation: Traveling in a country with an unfamiliar language may present difficulty with safety instructions and general information about the location.
#3: Time Zone Differences
Time zone differences can affect the planning process and your guest experience during a destination wedding.
During the planning process, time zone differences can impact:
Vendor communication: Communicating with vendors can be complicated and may require you to adjust your schedule to late-night or early-morning calls.
Vendor availability: Finding and securing local vendors can be challenging if the time zone is drastically different.
For your guests, time zones may be challenging because of:
Jet lag: Consider potential jet lag for your guests when planning wedding events.
Travel: Consider scheduling conflicts for guests who have to travel from different time zones.
Clarity: Be sure to specify the time zone on your save-the-dates and any communication about the wedding plans for your guests.
#4: Cost
Having a destination wedding can increase the cost for the wedding couple and add expenses for your guests since they are being asked to travel.
Some costs the wedding couple may incur for a destination wedding are:
Travel expenses: You will have to pay for flights and accommodations for yourselves, and you may have to pay for some members of the wedding party.
Vendor costs: You will likely have to pay travel and food expenses for the vendor if you are bringing a vendor from home. If you use a vendor local to the destination, you may encounter higher costs.
Legal costs: You may have to pay fees to have paperwork translated or processed.
Costs your guests may encounter include:
Flights
Lodging
Time off work
Meals
Activities or excursions
Currency exchange fees
Gratuities
Since you are asking your guests to travel and spend money, you may need to have extra activities to make the trip financially worthwhile for them.
#5: Foreign Regulations
If you are planning to get married in a foreign country, you may be subject to regulations that require extra time, planning, or money.
Some countries require you to live there for a certain amount of time before getting married. For example, if the wedding couple are US citizens wishing to get married in China, one partner is required to become a permanent resident first.
Other countries are more relaxed with residency requirements, requiring a minimal amount of time in the country before applying for marriage or having no residency requirement at all. For instance, in the Bahamas, the couple only has to be present for 24 hours before applying for marriage, and US citizens getting married in Italy do not have any residency requirements.
Other requirements may include:
Blood tests
Proof of age
Parental consent
Legal proof of being able to enter into a marriage
Translation of your documents into the local language
4 Important Considerations Regarding the Organization of a Destination Wedding
#1: Cost
Although the cost of destination weddings varies based on many factors, such weddings are typically more expensive than local weddings. Therefore, you may need to consider a higher budget.
For any wedding, factors that influence cost include:
Guest count
Venue choice
Wedding date
Decor
Entertainment
Food and beverages
For a destination wedding, additional costs to consider include:
Travel costs: You will be adding the cost of flights and hotel stays for the couple and potentially some of the wedding party or guests.
Events: Typically, a destination wedding includes multiple events over several days, such as welcome parties, the ceremony, a farewell brunch, and any excursions or activities. Each of these activities requires a venue and catering that will add to your cost.
Venue: Destination venues may have higher costs than venues closer to home.
Shipping: You may need to send decorations or other items for the wedding to the venue ahead of time.
Sometimes a destination wedding may be cheaper than a traditional wedding because of:
Smaller guest lists: Destination weddings tend to have fewer guests due to travel requirements. This reduces costs associated with guests, such as catering and favors.
All-inclusive packages: Many destinations offer packages that can be more affordable than booking everything separately.
Twenty Mile House is a dream venue for a destination wedding in California. Our venue is located on 200 acres of gorgeous land in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. We offer all-inclusive packages, including rooms on-site for guests to make wedding planning a breeze.
#2: Climate
If you have your heart set on a specific destination for your wedding, it is important to research local climate patterns to pick the time of year most suitable for a wedding, especially if the event is outdoors.
Factors regarding climate to consider when planning your wedding include:
Weather events: Avoid planning a wedding during peak weather events for the area, such as hurricane, monsoon, or tornado season, to avoid potential disruptions to your plans.
Alternate plans: Consider venues that have alternate venues or back-up plans in case of bad weather, if you plan to have an outdoor ceremony.
Food and decor: Choose foods and flowers that can withstand the heat if you plan to get married in the summer or in a hot environment.
Insurance: Purchasing travel insurance to protect against unpredictable weather events is a good thing to consider.
Additionally, the climate will affect the type of clothing you and your guests will wear, as well as the dates that the destination has available for you to reserve.
#3: Season
If you book your wedding during peak season, you will have to manage:
The height of tourist season making things less available
Higher travel costs
Possible extreme weather
Peak season will vary depending on the location, but typically ranges from May to October.
#4: Local Events
Before settling on a venue and date, research local events that may be happening at the same time. Large local events could make lodging more expensive or harder to find for you and your guests.
How To Organize a Destination Wedding
How soon should you start planning a destination wedding? This checklist can help.
12-16 Months in Advance
Choose your destination, venue, and date after ensuring it can accommodate you and your guests.
Determine a budget.
Create a guest list.
Learn the marriage requirements for your destination.
Apply for passports and visas.
Hire a wedding planner and travel agent.
Purchase wedding insurance.
Reserve your honeymoon destination.
9-11 Months in Advance
Plan other wedding-related events.
Determine your wedding party and ensure they have travel documents.
Send out save-the-dates.
Purchase transportation tickets.
Determine your vendors.
Research and inform guests of possible accommodations.
Find attire that suits your destination and style.
6-8 Months in Advance
Determine food options.
Book the rehearsal venue and arrange the meal.
Order invitations.
Book transportation needed for the wedding day.
Book vendors and secure contracts.
3-5 Months in Advance
Make your guest list final.
Send invitations.
Schedule group activities at your destination.
Purchase rings.
Purchase wedding accessories.
Complete your honeymoon plans.
6-8 Weeks in Advance
Verify the details with vendors and your wedding planner.
Confirm that you have all the documents and vaccinations necessary for travel.
Put together wedding favors for your guests.
Plan Your Destination Wedding at Twenty Mile House To Make Organization a Breeze
If you’re worried about how to organize a destination wedding, it couldn’t be easier than with Twenty Mile House. We offer three stunning outdoor locations for wedding ceremonies in addition to accommodations for 54 guests. Our custom all-inclusive packages include catering, flowers, photography, music, a full-service bar, parking attendants, and event staff.
Work with us to create the destination wedding of your dreams that will be sure to leave you and your guests with lasting memories.
Our detail-oriented wedding coordination team will help your events run flawlessly, and we will work with you to create the wedding you envision. Reach out to us today!