Planning a destination wedding is easier today with the use of the Internet and Email. It’s not uncommon for today’s couples to plan a destination wedding in another state or a foreign country. Their families and guests come for far and near to celebrate this new beginning. For many couples the reasons are varied: they want something small and intimate; they’ve always dreamed of a beach wedding or a wedding in the hills of Italy or it’s a location that has a special meaning to the couple. What we have found the real reason is: couples want a truly unique experience with their family and friends and they want to spend more time with their guests. For many this may serve as a type of reunion, too.
If you are planning a wedding in a different state or a foreign country, you will have the same worries and concerns, but now you have the added stress of if something goes wrong, you are in an unfamiliar location. This is where a knowledgeable travel agent comes in handy and a local wedding coordinator. Of course, you have to consider the usual travel reservations and accommodations for your group, but now you need to look at local legal issues. What’s required by the state or country in which you are getting married? Do you need a marriage license, divorce decree (if applicable), passport or birth certificate? Is the marriage legally binding if you are getting married in a foreign country? Now you may have further requirements.
If you want everything to go more smoothly, I strongly recommend hiring these three people for your destination wedding:
- A travel agent to book your reservations and accommodations.
- a local Wedding Consultant for advice and direction and advice regarding flowers, cakes, photographers, musicians, the officiant and other wedding professionals and must-haves you will need for your wedding.
- An on-location Wedding Consultant at the destination or resort. This person may also be able to give you the advice and direction you need. Many resorts have these wedding professionals on-site and offer their services as part of their wedding package.
A certified travel agent knows all the ins and outs of transporting a group. If anything happens, the travel agent knows who to contact and what to do. Using the internet and an unknown person leaves your wedding and guests up to chance.
The local wedding director and/or on-location Wedding Consultant will see that you have all the required documentation, that every detail is planned long before your arrive and that you have qualified wedding professionals with proper and binding contracts. This person can even assist you if you choose to bring in some of your own vendors (i.e.: hair and make-up, photographer, floral designer, videographer, officiant, etc.). In addition, your on-location consultant will see that each guest is picked up at the airport and has the accommodations you planned for them. Finally, local customs that will make your wedding truly unique, one that your wedding guests will talk about for a very long time. Your consultant knows what these are and can incorporate them into your wedding.