How do you plan a destination wedding?

Planning a destination wedding can be a daunting task. A good way to begin is by dividing the event into four manageable pieces - Location, Travel, Wedding and Budget. Spend some time thinking about each of these, as it will help to clarify your interests and wedding possibilities. The following are a few questions to get you started:

LOCATION

• What type of environment would you prefer - tropical islands, majestic mountains, quaint countryside or urban excitement?
  
  
• Do you have in mind a particular type of lodging? A private villa in Tuscany will provide a very different experience than a resort in St. Lucia.
  
  
• What kinds of local activities would you like for you and your guests - golf, spa, sightseeing, boating, fine dining, etc.?
  
  

TRAVEL

• How far do you want to travel from home? Depending on where you live, it may take as long to get to get to some islands in the Caribbean as Hawaii or Europe.
  
  
• How does this affect your guests - will they be traveling from one or many locations?
  
  
• Are your preferred destinations feasible for a "long weekend"?
  
  

WEDDING

• What type of ceremony do you want - lavish, laid-back, cultural, at a resort, in a house of worship, on a cliff overlooking the ocean, etc.?
  
  
• What are the legal requirements of your destination possibilities, and how difficult is it meet them?
  
  
• Do you want a reception after the ceremony, and if so, what type - sit-down meal, beach barbecue, finger food and drinks, etc.?
  
  

BUDGET

• In total, how much do you want to spend on your destination wedding? Major components include transportation, accommodations, wedding ceremony, reception and group activities?
  
  
• Are you planning to cover any of your guests' costs? (not required by etiquette, although many couples choose to offset some costs for certain family and friends)
  
  
• Ideally, how much would like your guests to spend (per person) in order to attend your wedding?

Having answers to these questions should make choosing a destination and planning the event much easier and more enjoyable. To discover how MoonRings can help, please click on one of the following two options: