Research shows that 40% of engaged couples find wedding planning “extremely stressful”. When you add the logistical aspects of planning a destination wedding, that number only rises.

But you don’t have to compromise your dream day in paradise just because it’s a lot of work.

Follow our top 5 tips for planning your dream destination wedding!

1. Choose a Venue That Offers Extra Services

Since you won’t have a lot of time on-site to work on wedding preparations, one of the best tips we can offer is to hire a local venue that offers services you won’t have time to arrange or set up.
Choose a Venue That Offers Extra Services
Consider finding a venue that offers all or some of the following:

  • Free wifi
  • Catering services
  • Wait Staff
  • Bar and bartenders
  • Florist services
  • Prep rooms for the brides and/or grooms
  • Set-up and take-down services

Having a venue that can offer these services will make your wedding day much less stressful for everyone in attendance.

2. Pick a Date Early On

Most wedding experts recommend giving your guests a minimum of 6 months’ notice before the wedding. This will allow the maximum number of people to prepare for the trip accordingly.

That doesn’t just mean that you need to post your engagement to social media 6 months ahead of your wedding date. You need to have a destination selected, a venue booked, a budget plan, and have mailed out detailed Save-The-Date cards.

Keep hurricane season in mind if you’re headed to a tropical/coastal destination. And try to avoid heavy traffic holidays like Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Valentine’s Day as travel accommodations will likely cost more.

3. Check Out the Local Marriage Laws

Before you select your destination, you should make sure that you’ll be able to get legally married there, and what the required preparation is.

Some countries require proof of residency before you can legally marry there. If that’s the case, plan a civil ceremony in your home country before or after your destination ceremony.

It doesn’t have to be a big event. You can still have your destination wedding, the ceremony just won’t be legally binding.

4. Planning a Destination Wedding Means Compromising

Unless you’re one of the rare individuals with a limitless budget, there will likely be things that you have to compromise on for your big day.

Consider sitting down with your partner ahead of time to determine what your top priorities are. Some things may be “needs” and others just “wants”.
Planning a Destination Wedding Means Compromising
You may want to bring an experienced photographer that you trust with you instead of finding one on site. Find an area in your budget or wedding plan that can give a little to accommodate your “needs”.

5. Be Accommodating and Flexible with Guests

Planning a destination wedding means that not everyone on your list may be able to attend. Try to be understanding of your loved ones who aren’t able to make it.

And as for the guests who do follow you to paradise to celebrate your nuptials, offer a welcome bag on arrival and don’t skip your thank you notes!

Say “I Do” To Your Destination Wedding

If your dream wedding day includes a sunset ceremony on a warm, sandy beach then it’s time to start planning today!

You can have it all with the right amount of patience and preparation.

Where will you be planning a destination wedding?