To travel or not to travel?? That is the question! Are you contemplating a destination wedding but worried about your budget? We have several tips to help you save big on your special day!
Step 1-
The first decision that sets your wedding in stone is the DATE. If you can be flexible with choosing your date, then you are on your way to saving already. Everyone knows there are parts of the year that are more desired to travel than others, so choosing a date during the off season is ideal for your budget! This will also work in your favor as resorts aren’t at full capacity which leaves more space and seclusion for you and your guests.
Step 2-
Choosing a venue is the next step in planning your destination wedding. Whether you are traveling to the sunshine state, Florida or out of the country to Costa Rica, several hotels and resorts have their own designated wedding venues that have set packages to choose from based on your needs. You would be responsible for booking your rooms and then let the resort handle the rest- sounds headache free, right? Picking a beach venue at any location is also a great idea! You can save on venue costs and have a beautiful landscape as the backdrop of your nuptials.
Strep 3-
Your vendors- another key factor in planning your wedding! Decide what vendors are most important to you and fly only them to your destination, the rest should be local! For example, you might have a favorite photographer/videographer or even a hairstylist (she’s the only one that understands your hair!)- it would save your pockets by only making only a few vendors travel rather than the entire list of vendors you may like. Local talent and labor is a smarter financial choice! It can add to the authentic feeling of where your destination of choice is – not to mention, you wont have to worry about anyone getting lost.
Step 4-
Keep things natural! You do not want to over design your special day! Check the surroundings of your venue of choice- make sure it goes with the vision that you have in your mind of what your wedding day should look like. You didn’t choose a destination wedding only to get married in a ballroom, right? This can also help so keep an extra chunk of change in your pocket. Destination weddings provide a perfect atmosphere for décor that does not require a lavish touch. Local palms as the chargers for your dinner plates, for example.
Step 5-
Get ‘officially married’ before you make your trip. Every destination has a different set of legalities and sometimes require a certain duration of time spent in their country before you can say ‘I DO.’ This leaves room for error, or even worse, postponing your plans! Making it legal locally will save you- a headache, $$ on legal fees, transportation to and from government offices and the charges of staying extra nights.
Step 6-
Your gown. This may be at the discretion of the bride. But a beautiful landscape and venue can mean that you can save by keeping it simple. This does not mean that you have to surrender your YES TO THE DRESS moment, but your atmosphere can assist in the need for a less grandiose gown. This can also help with the cost of transporting your dress. A lavish gown will require special and costly accommodations.
You can do this! Wedding planning doesn’t always have to be stressful, especially when you are doing it miles and miles away from your venue! Follow some of our tips and you will be saying I DO in no time!!
