A destination wedding is a magical experience for you and your guests, however, there are some very common mistakes that can put a damper on the whole experience. Luckily, if you are able to plan ahead and understand all of the common mistakes, they can easily be avoided, and your dream destination wedding can go off without a hitch.
Not Having a Clear Budget
Budget planning is an incredibly important part of planning a destination wedding. Your budget needs to be clear and be well lineated for each expense such as venue, accommodations, travel expenses, and all other wedding expenses. If you have a total budget that is divided into subparts for each wedding cost, you can easily adjust your budget accordingly if one cost is cheaper or more expensive than expected. Be sure to investigate early booking and off-season rates for your wedding destination which could help you save a substantial amount of money.
Not Giving Guests Enough Notice
It is imperative that you give your guests plenty of notice when you decide to have your wedding at one of the destination wedding locations, especially if it is abroad, so that your guests can figure out all of their travel logistics. This way, if anyone has any passport expiration issues, they can be sure to take care of that and your guests will have ample time to make transportation arrangements.
Not Hiring a Local Wedding Planner
A local planner can be a lifesaver when it comes to planning a destination wedding like a Mexico wedding destination. A local planner knows the best venues for your needs and can help you with venue selection and help you avoid any communication issues with local vendors. Additionally, they understand local customs and cultural differences which can help you avoid any unfortunate misunderstandings or hidden costs like expected tips.
Ignoring the Weather
The weather can be an important factor to weigh. If you are planning on having an outdoor wedding, you will want to be sure to check the wedding forecast in advance and make backup plans. Contingency planning for an alternate location for your ceremony will help you should the weather go south. Additionally, you may want to consider seasonal variations when picking your date as many of the best places for destination weddings have rainy seasons and can be affected by hurricane season.
Not Researching the Location Well Enough
You will want to do your research when planning your destination wedding so that you get a good understanding of the location, the area, and the available accommodation options. You will want to be able to navigate the language barrier if that is an issue and understand the currency exchange rate so you get a good idea about how much everything will cost in dollars. You may also want to be aware of time zones when planning your wedding, so you know when to communicate with your planner and vendors.
Forgetting the Legal Stuff
It is essential that you understand that the local laws of a foreign country may differ substantially from those of the United States. There may be special legal requirements for getting married and you need to do your research to ensure that you have met these requirements before your wedding day. Additionally, you may need photography permits in order to shoot in certain locations. You should also consider getting vendor contracts with the venue and your vendors to help ensure everything is taken care of and payment deadlines are laid out.
Not Considering Your Guests
While it is your wedding day, you want to ensure that everyone on your guest list has a good time as many will have spent a decent amount of money to attend. Be sure to supply a good event timeline well in advance so they can make their travel arrangements and make plans to do things on their own when the wedding festivities are not going on. Be sure to be specific with your invitation wording, explain the dress code, if applicable, and give options for anyone who has any dietary restrictions.
Packing Too Much
While it is certainly understandable that you want to have many attire options for all of the wedding activities, you want to be careful not to pack too much. You will want to leave some room in your suitcase for any souvenirs or mementos you gather on your trip, and you are likely to receive some gifts from your guests even if you asked for them to be shipped to your house. Having to ship things back internationally or pay to fly with an additional bag back can be expensive.
Not Getting Travel Insurance
Always hope for the best and prepare for the worst. This is where travel insurance comes in handy as you plan your destination wedding. Weather can be a huge factor in destination weddings, flights can be canceled, and hurricane season can hit. Make sure to understand what your travel insurance covers and find one that will cover as much as possible just in case something goes wrong.
Focusing On the Details and Forgetting to Enjoy Yourselves
It is easy to get caught up with all the details when planning your destination wedding and to become overwhelmed. Remember this is a special time in your life and you need to enjoy it as much as you can. It is much easier to plan your wedding and reduce the stress of planning a wedding when you have help.
Resort Brides specializes in helping couples find the perfect spot for their destination wedding. We work with the resorts, such as a couples resort in Jamaica, to ensure that every detail is taken care of. Contact Resort Brides now and start planning your perfect destination wedding.
“The Iberostar Rose Hall Beach hotel is an All Inclusive luxury 5-star accommodation. It is the perfect choice for those who want to experience an unforgettable family or couples vacation in Jamaica. ”