Destination Weddings: Before Your Go
Liam Beliveau
Planning a destination wedding is a whole different beast, bringing forth an avalanche of tricky questions and scenarios during the process. Who pays for what? Should you register for gifts? When should invitations be sent out? Before saying “I do” abroad, consider these tips and advice from our wedding experts on how to navigate thorny situations and avoid any faux pas associated with panning a destination wedding.
Knowledge is Key – Know Before You Go
Is your destination LGBT – friendly? When is hurricane season? Is there any safety, accessibility or health issues (such as Zika) that could be a deal breaker? Research your destination before booking and make sure to share any information about pertinent health, safety, accessibility and political issues with your guests. It’s a little more leg work – but it not only shows guests that you care about their wellbeing, it also avoids awkwardness during your wedding weekend.
“If your maid of honor is your gay best friend, will they be comfortable in a location where being LGBT is frowned upon?” says Sarah Ntouskas, a wedding planner that specializes in destination weddings. “Would any of your guests be offended by the treatment they might receive because of their religion, gender or sexual preference? Having a destination wedding brings all sorts of concerns to light that you wouldn’t normally think of when planning a wedding, such as cultural differences and safety.”
“Safety should absolutely be a consideration,” says wedding expert Janessa White. “Do research too fins out. As a jumping off point, the US State Department has a great resource that’ll let you know if they’ve issued recent travel warnings or alerts for the area you have in mind.”
It is important to pick the right destination, but the season also matters. Nothing is more frustrating than spending tons of money on a wedding – only to be side railed by a hurricane, monsoon, or other inclement weather.
So first, begin with a guest list. Once the list is established, then parameters and priorities for determining a location become clearer. It will be impossible to satisfy the preferences of every guest, but thoughtful consideration of the needs of your most important guests – from wheelchair accessibility to on-site childcare, demonstrate the caring attention to detail that will showcase your hospitality.
Next, ease of travel. If you have several elderly amongst your guest list, what destinations are easier to accommodate them? If you think about what it will take for all of your guests to travel, consider paying for their transportation or buying out the entire hotel or resort for added convenience.
If you plan to get married during a high point in the tourism season, it could be crowded or potentially congested. Meanwhile, if you book a wedding during the low season, the streets could be barren and interesting spots could be closed. Be sure to chat with local businesses to get an idea before you book the destination.
