So you’re sat in your home on a cold winters’ night in England dreaming about your perfect wedding and the fact that the chances of picking a dry day is getting more and more remote. Suddenly the realisation hits you that a destination wedding may be on the cards and that would be the answer to your prayers!
Choosing a destination or abroad wedding is getting more and more popular but does take a lot of planning. We have put together a few pointers that you may want to consider before you embark on all your preparations to see if it is indeed feasible, both financially and physically!
- First things first - if you've already decided on which country you want to get married in check out the legalities on the UK government website www.gov.uk/marriage-abroad. This will give you information on whether you can get married in that country, what paperwork you'll need and who to contact.
- Research! Take ample time looking into hotels in your desired country to make sure they can offer exactly what you want. Check that your venue can accommodate your party size (there may be a minimum as well as a maximum). Check TripAdvisor for comments from people who have actually stayed at the hotel or possibly even got married there. Contact the hotel you're interested in - they should have an events coordinator who will be able to help you and answer any questions you may have
- Keep your guests in mind when deciding upon the location. You may want to get married on a beach in Australia but if it’s important for you to have your family there then factor in the cost and the flight duration for your guests!
- Remember to let your guests know your plans as soon as possible so they can book flights and accommodation and time off work! Send save the dates early on and Request RSVP's in advance to help with planning.
- Get all the details for you big day in writing! If you’re dealing with someone over email/phone you want to get a contract set up with all the details clearly set out. You want to have the ceremony times, locations and legalities all written out for you.
- Arrive a few days early. This will ensure you have the time to sort out any last minute problems or modifications. If also will help you acclimatise to any temperature changes....which leads us to
- Dress for the weather! If it’s 35 degress you may find your groom melts in his 3 piece suit- there are lighter alternatives! The same goes for the bridesmaids. Don’t forget the sunscreen! If you are opting for sunny Seychelles and have just travelled from Scotland in Winter you may find the differing temperatures (and sun exposure) an issue.
- Give your guests an in depth itinerary of your wedding day/weekend/week so that they know how to budget, what to wear and what to expect! You may want to give them information on the location such as recommended restaurants or points of interest.
- Have a plan B! If your idea is to have a beach ceremony next to the hotel it may be worth asking them if there is an alternative venue just in case the weather doesn’t hold up!
- ENJOY!!!! This is going to be the best day of your lives so enjoy every moment!!!
You will find that wedding planning can get out of control quite easily so it’s good to sit back and have a think about the logistics before making any bold purchases. I hope this was helpful to you and I will see you all soon!
Cheers
Pete
Inviteinabottle
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