5 Tips for Planning the Perfect Destination Wedding

There are few things more romantic than a destination wedding. Jetting off to an exotic location, saying your vows on a sandy beach and heading into the sunset after your ceremony sounds like a dream come true for many. But while ordinary weddings are challenging enough (although these wedding planning tips make things a little easier) planning your big day somewhere miles away from home can be even more tricky.

If you’re thinking about saying “I do” somewhere warm and exotic, here are 5 tips for planning the perfect destination wedding.

How to plan the perfect destination wedding

1. Carefully consider your destination

There are a lot of things to think about when it comes to choosing your wedding destination. A golden sandy beach on a tropical island is what comes to mind for most, but that isn’t your only option. Mountains with breathtaking views, a beautiful dense forest or a peaceful remote village are just three of the countless options you can choose from. If you do decide on a tropical beach wedding, consider one of our favourite beach wedding destinations in the world.

You can also choose the location of your wedding by picking a spot you’ve both previously visited and loved. Or even somewhere you’ve both always wanted to visit where you can spend your honeymoon after the wedding.

2. Keep your guests in mind

If you want a large wedding with lots of guests, you have to choose somewhere people can get to for an affordable price and in a reasonable amount of time. If you think the hotel you’re staying at will be too expensive, find some cheaper options within walking distance of where you’re staying. Try to plan the travel part of your wedding as much as you can for your guests, so they don’t feel like it’s a lot of hassle to attend.

If you’re planning a small wedding and you have a generous budget, you could always offer to pay for some friends or family without whom you really can’t imagine celebrating your day. This gets rid of one of the reasons they might not be able to make it.

Whichever option you choose, make sure you give your guests plenty of notice so they can make arrangements.

3. Research the weather

Remember that climates vary hugely across the world. For example, in August, Europe is warm, dry and sunny. But in New Zealand, it’s cold, wet and snowy. Not to mention that a lot of tropical destinations have hurricane and monsoon seasons. Decide the season you want to get married in and see which time of year the climate matches up best at your chosen destination.

4. Budget for it

There are a lot of hidden costs associated with having a destination wedding you need to budget for. As well as all the usual expenses (wedding rings, bridal gown, groom suit, etc) you also need to think about the cost of transporting things to your wedding location, as well as how much they cost to insure. You might have to compromise on a few things, but if the result is your dream wedding, it’s got to be worth it.

5. Choose the right outfits

The wedding dress you’ve been gazing at for months might look beautiful in the shop window but entirely out of place on a beach in Mexico. Carefully choose the right wedding outfits to suit the destination and the season. This doesn’t just apply for the bride and groom’s outfits, but the bridesmaids and groomsmen’s outfits, too.