Authored by Lisa Bower in Wedding
Published on 12-21-2009
One of the best ways to get hitched is to spin the globe and choose a unique location in which to be married. Destination weddings are exactly what they sound like – you and your soon-to-be spouse getting married in a new place or destination. This is one way to ensure that you and your guests never forget this day.
If you want to invest in a destination wedding in the US, you first need to decide where you want to go. You and your loved one could choose one of the most romantic cities in the US, a place that you each hold close to your hearts, or you could try a new city. Take the time to weigh your options. There’s a big difference between having a New York City wedding and having one in the mountains of Virginia. Take the time to consider all options – big and small cities, the countryside, deserts, plains, mountains, islands and regions around the country can offer you something unique. Envision not only how the wedding would look but also what travel would look like.
Next, be sure to give any invited guests as much time to prepare as possible. After all, booking travel plans alone will take some time. Additionally, guests will also probably have to ask for more time off from work: traveling takes time and no one wants to go to a new place for only a day. With proper notice, you can ensure that all of your loved ones are able to find the best possible prices and itineraries for their budgets and lives.
Consider how you will plan the wedding ceremony if the destination is more than a couple hours away. A lot can be done via email and phone. However, you need to really weigh your options before you decide on any one venue or caterer. If possible, you and your loved one should visit the space so you can test-drive and visit different locations, hotels, and try out different types of wedding cake and wedding reception food options. This will ensure you make the best possible decisions for you and your wedding so that everything is picture perfect.
Book everything in advance and double- and triple-check everything. You don’t want to think everything is reserved only to show up and realize that there aren’t enough hotel rooms or that the caterer has the wrong date and time for your event. Ask loved ones to help with this process. They can pick up the phone to double- and triple-check that everything is in working order. This can ease your mind so that you can focus on packing and traveling to the destination that will play home to one of the biggest and most important moments in your life.
Pack in advance, make lists, and enlist loved ones to double-check your packing and to bring back-up items. This ensures that all important items are not forgotten. Know that chances are high that you may forget some things and research the destination to find stores that you or loved ones can visit for last-minute purchases. Having a plan B or even plan C and D will ease your mind so that you can really enjoy this day.
