Wedding Planning - Destination Weddings - Why They Are So Popular And How To Plan Yours

WHAT IS A DESTINATION WEDDING

As the cost of wedding climbs, many couples plan a destination wedding.

That is, they plan to have the wedding and honeymoon at the same location. Instead of hosting a large reception, the couple invites only their nearest and dearest to a mini-vacation. The money they would have spent on a traditional wedding will provide their family and selected friends with an entire weekend of memories in a great vacation spot, instead of one afternoon OR EVENING in a reception hall.

Many wonderful choices are available and the choice of the individual couple depends on special interests and recreational activities available, time of year for weather conditions, location preference, type of venue, assistance available and budget. If planning includes invited guests, their needs and interests need to be taken into consideration, too.

If you are considering a destination wedding, keep reading.

HOW TO FIND WEDDING PROFESSIONALS, SERVICE PROVIDERS AND VENDORS AT THE DESTINATION YOU CHOSE FOR YOUR WEDDING?

Various planning options are available to you. But even before you examin them you need to know where to start and what to do.

Well, once you have chosen the destination, contact the visitors information center and request information about what is, and what is not available in their area including recreation and special events.
Request brochures including those of wedding facilities, resorts, hotels, bed and breakfasts, inns, mensions, chapels etc...

Check the internet for wedding service providers, vendors and professionals in the vacinity of your chosen destination and go to their web sites and consider the following.

Do you like the look and feel of the site?

Does it provide you with the information you are looking for?

Did you find a clearly posted name, address, phone and email contact?

If not, skip it and go to another site.

Bookmark (favorite) the sites that are agreeable to you, and contact them.

PLANNING OPTIONS

You can plan the wedding by yourselves. If so, you may wish to utilize the Internet, phone and mail in your search for wedding professionals, service providers and vendors. We are talking about your wedding. You want the best and the best deal. So take time and choose carefully. Contact them and judge their level of service and integrity before you make your selection.

Did they respond in a timely manner?

Did they take the time and make an effort to reply to all your inqueries in detail?

If contacted by mail or email, did they include a phone number, time zone and days and hours of operation in their reply?

Did they seem sincere or over eager?

You'll need to comunicate with them often so, choose the one you built a trusting relationship with.

If you seek local help, find a resort, hotel, bed and breakfast, a villa on the riviera, a mension, a cruise or any other venue that offers wedding planning services for guests who stay there.

You'd be surprised how many of these places have hosted weddings in the past, and may even have a wedding coordinator on staff.
Check if they can accomodate the ceremony and reception right on site, or if they they can make recommendations or arrangements.

Another option for help in planning your destination wedding is to find a wedding chapel at the location you're interested in, that provides complete wedding packages. Chapel packages usually include photographs, flowers, music, officiant, and even marriage license. The only drawback to accepting complete packages is that, though they are the least expensive, they come as-is and you don't have a lot of control over some of the details. Additionally, you and your guests may be put off by the in-and-out nature of the ceremony.

Generally the chapel will only arrange for the ceremony. You'll still need to arrange for lodging accomodations and if you so desire, a reception.OR

Still another option is for you to hire a local wedding coordinator at your wedding destination.

If you have acquaintences in that area, ask them to collect references. Check the internet under the terms -wedding coordinator in (city and state) and - wedding planner in (city and state)- in your favorite search engine. Contact the ones whose websites and information attract you and hire a wedding planner based where you plan to have your wedding. Be sure to hire a planner who is familiar with the facilities, wedding service providers and vendors available.

PLANNING OPTIONS FOR A WEDDING ABROAD

If you are planning to get married abroad, unless you have friends or family living in the general area of your destination wedding site, your best bet is to utilize the expertese of a travel agent who specializes in destination weddings and honeymoons.

You'll need to start early and furnish the travel agent with information.
Request that the travel agent assures that she/he arrange for every detail and guarantee that you have everything in place and confirmed at least 3 months before the wedding, as you need plenty of time to inform your family and invited frieds, allowing them time to prepare all the travel arrangements and necessary documents.
If you or your guests do not have a current passport, be sure to apply for one as soon as you can so you'll have it in time. Currently, obtaining a passport In the USA takes at least 12-16 weeks.

INFORMATION YOU NEED FOR A WEDDING ABROAD

Different countries have different requirements for granting marriages to take place on their soil.

You'll need to know and be prepared in order for everything to go smoothly. If you work with travel agents who specialize in weddings and are also familiar with your destination, they should advise you. Otherwise, you'll need to contact the consulate and ask them if:

you need an entry visa.

there are any residency requirements - that is if there is a waiting period before you can get married.

you need to provide any documentation and if so, does it have to be translated.

you need to provide any medical records or undergo any medical tests and how long in advance of the wedding do they need to be submitted.

there is a waiting period between the time you obtain the marriage license and the wedding and if so, how long do you need to wait.

there any paperwork that needs to be prepared in advance and if so, how long before the wedding does it need to be submitted.

you need any witnesses, and if so, how many.

What are the ordinances regarding civil and religious ceremonies?

Is there anything else you need to know?

Unless you use a third party, present the following to to the representative of the lodging facility you plan to use.

LIST OF DETAILS, SERVICES AND RECREATION YOU DESIRE

Now that your options are before you, you need to put together your list of details, services and recreation you desire. write them down in a priority order.

INFORMATION YOU NEED TO PROVIDE:

Your total budget

Your guest list

What expenses will you pay for how many guests? None - Wedding Guest Accomodations - Travel - All.

For travel - your day of departure and day of return, your guests' day of departure and day of return.

For lodging - your date of arrival and date of departure, your guests' day of arrival and day of departure.

Your wedding date.

Your desired time of ceremony, time of reception and duration

Style of wedding you want

Number of guests

Who will make the guests' travel and lodging reservations?

Who will make the bride and groom's travel and lodging reservations?

Destination: USA (state, city) - Canada - Mexico - the Caribeans - South America - Europe - Asia - Africa - Australia add as many details as possible.

Special wedding theme: Disney - beach - western - country - floral etc...

Kind of accomodations you want: Bungalow - condo - economy hotel - luxury hotel - lodge - motel - resort - rented villa - yacht - cruise ship - other.

Recreation and fun vacation activities are you looking for? Ski, beach, casino, cruise, shopping, spa, sports (swimming, golf, excercising equipment, etc...), tours, other.

WEDDING ACCESSORIES YOU NEED FOR YOUR WEDDING DAY:

unity candles and holders

cake serving set

bridal garter

Guestbook and pen

toasting flutes

ring pillow

bridal purse

caketop

Photo Album

Single use cameras

wedding favors

Pew bows

other

SERVICES YOU NEED FOR YOUR WEDDING DAY:

Before the wedding day

Attire for bride - bridesmaids - mothers - flower girl

Attire for groom - ushers - ringbearer - fathers

Marriage licenses

gifts for the parents and wedding attendants

Rhearsal meal (lunch - dinner)

Hair and make-up

On the wedding day

Florists

Potographers

Videographers

Wedding music

Wdding cakes

Decorations

Ceremony location

Clergy - officient

Reception location

Bar tendering

Rentals

Linens

Vallet parking

Catering or kitchen facilities

Dance floor

I sincerely hope that this article will help you make your dream wedding a reality

My best wishes,

Nily Glaser

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nily_Glaser

http://EzineArticles.com/?Wedding-Planning---Destination-Weddings---Why-They-Are-So-Popular-And-How-To-Plan-Yours&id=641159

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