Top Things to Consider for Your Dream Destination Wedding
... and congrats, you're engaged! (Did you know December is the most popular month to get engaged? FACT.)
If you have your heart set on getting married away from home, you've probably been planning the destination wedding of your dreams. Before you get overwhelmed, take a look at this list of things to consider:
The destination. It won’t be a destination wedding without a destination, right? Kidding aside, consider the people you want to invite to your wedding, too. It would be ideal if it fits within not only your budget but your guests' budget as well. After all, the beginning of your married life should be a time you look back on with joy and happiness—and what better way to ensure that than to have your closest family and friends there with you.
The budget. Decide how much you can afford to spend and prioritize what’s the most important. By knowing your priorities, you can figure out how much more money you can spend on areas that matter most for you... and areas that you can skip!
The guest list. Decide who you want to invite. Fewer guests may be able to attend your wedding, but you can make the arrangements for them easier by letting them know well in advance. Not only will this allow them to book flights and hotels, but it will also give you time to figure out all the details of your big day!
The vendors. Perhaps you have your vendors in mind back home, but choosing local ones from your destination wedding will make things a lot easier.
The wedding planner. It's 100% worth it to hire a local and reputable wedding planner to save time, stress, and money. They will help you find vendors, navigate local rules and requirements, and help make your dream wedding a manageable reality.
The local requirements. Researching the eligibility and requirements of your chosen destination wedding is a crucial step. If you are thinking of getting married in Hawaii, check out our blog post on how to do it legally here.
And if you want to learn more about planning a destination wedding from the point of view of two wedding professionals (one who is very funny, and one who is just sort of funny - you decide who's who!) that live, breathe and eat destination weddings, check out our podcast Unveiling Paradise on Spotify and Apple.
Photos: Mike Pham Photography