Congratulations you’ve made the decision you want a destination wedding! So, what’s next, what do you do first, and how do you start to plan your dream wedding abroad.? We’re here to help you; we’ve helped plan copious amounts of beautiful luxury weddings here at Château Saint Georges so we have lots of expert advice in today’s article. There are a lot of similarities with an at-home wedding but there are a few further things you need to think about when it comes to planning a destination wedding and making sure it’s a success!. Here are our top 10 steps to planning a successful destination wedding.
Select Your Destination
Your destination should be the first thing you think about and this goes hand in hand with your vision for your wedding day. Your vision will lead you to look at destinations that will create the look you want or the destinations you are drawn to will help create your vision! Decide on what time of year you want to get married and If you’re looking for summer sun then make sure you check weather conditions for the areas you are looking at. Think about whether you want a beach wedding or a mountain wedding surrounded by epic scenery. In most destinations, weddings have a later start if it’s a hot time of year so bear this in mind for planning too. Once you have selected your venue they should have lots of ideas hints and tips to help you get started with your wedding planning.
Have A Vision
Once you have narrowed down your destination, your vison will become alot clearer. Take a look at other weddings that have taken place in that location, you may get some inspiration and ideas that you may not have thought of too add into your own special day. Think about the personal touches you want that are special to the two of you as a couple and be open and honest about the ideas and vision you both have. Start with a list of things you both want and then prioritise them in order to help you stay on track.
Have A Strict Budget
Set a budget, no matter how big or small as this will help you to decide what you can and cannot have when it comes to your destination wedding. Do your reaersch when it comes to suppliers and think about the bits you need and the bits you want – there’s a big difference. Take reccommendations from the venue you have picked, they will know how to work at this venue successfully, but don’t be afraid to look at other options too. If you choose to pick your own suppliers make sure you look at thier portfolio and chat witht them to make sure they are right for your vision.
Check The Legalities
It’s not always possible to get married legally in the country of your choice, so check the legal requirements from your country and make sure it’s from an official site. Many people do the legal bit before their wedding day in their own country and then have a wedding blessing by a celebrant at their destination wedding. This can make your day super personalized and unique to you and is a beautiful way to share your love with your family and friends.
Devise Your Guest List
The first thing to think about when it comes to your guest list is what size of wedding you would like. Do you want a small intimate wedding with a close family or a large soiree? You may even just want it to be the two of you with witnesses, it’s your choice! Once your guest list is devised then you will need to inform people of the details as soon as possible. This will ensure that people can fully prepare for attending your wedding and let you know if they cannot make it. Give your guests as much information as you can, planning to come to a wedding abroad takes a lot more planning for your guests, so help them as much as you can.
Devise A Plan and Get The Right Help
When planning a wedding abroad it can bring extra challenges so getting the right help will make it a less stressful process. You may want to do the finer details yourself, but using a wedding planner and tour operator for the big things is advised. Your venue will no doubt have a planner in place already that can guide you. Make sure your vision is clear and they understand what you want for your big day. Communication is key, as a lot of the planning may be done via video call or phone calls.
Get Insurance
Insurance is a must for any wedding, but even more so for a destination wedding. There are specific companies that do specialist wedding abroad insurance. There will be a lot of extra costs and it’s much better to be safe than sorry!
If you need any more destination wedding advice please visit our blog or get in touch if you would like to know more about our venue in The South of France for your destination wedding venue.
