7 Questions to Ask Before Planning a Destination Wedding

Summer brings somethings to the air that often turns it into a "pop-the-question" season, so if you know anyone recently engaged or thinking about a destination wedding, so we wanted to give you a little information to think about. 

Destination Weddings are not losing steam in terms of their popularity. However, just because something is popular doesn't mean it's the right choice for you. There are some important questions to ask before deciding to have a destination wedding of your own...

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1. How Many People are you Inviting?
A destination wedding is typically much smaller than a traditional wedding. They are harder for people to get to, and typically require travel that some would deem too expensive or just don't have the time to take off work. An average size for a destination wedding is typically around 40-60 guests. Perfect for those looking to control the budget on all the wedding costs!

2. Do you Have a Dream Destination in Mind Already? 
I find the hardest part for couples is choosing the location. If it's a place you want to honeymoon at, then getting married there too could be a great and cost effective idea, but if you're uncertain it could mean you have a lot more to consider.

Here is just a few things to think about when looking for a destination: weather, holiday events (local and in the destination which can increase cost), travel time depending on the age/health of guests, type of resort (all-inclusive, large, more intimate, kid-focused activities...), ease of getting there from the airports most guests would travel from, and the requirements for legal ceremonies)

3. What is your Budget? 
Budget is undoubtedly a prime aspect that has to be considered before choosing the venue for any wedding celebration. You want a memorable day, yes. However, just because you want to get married at the same spot your celebrity crush did shouldn’t mean you're willing to go bankrupt for the occasion (and don't forget it may rule having very many guests if they can't afford it either). 

4. Will you Need to Bring Certain Items with you to Get Married? 
This is something people don't often think of, but if you're having a destination wedding you may want to forgo wearing the family heirlooms on your big day. Security is harder to control for expensive and priceless items when you're leaving the country. Also, keep in mind that some destinations ban certain types of materials (such as paper lanterns, fireworks, or silk flower petals) - therefore if you have an important tradition you require with a particular element, you need to find a destination that allows that. 

5. Do you Care that your Wedding Might Not be Legal? 
In many cases it's easier to have a symbolic ceremony in lieu of a legal wedding depending on the country you're getting married in. The laws in other countries don't always make it easy to marry your spouse to be, and the red tape is just more frustrating than most couples are willing to deal with. So, they marry in the states, and simply have a symbolic ceremony in their destination in which the recognize as their true wedding date with their friends/family.

6. Do you Want a Cake, Photographer, & all the Traditional Wedding Vendors? 
It may be harder to hire certain vendors for your destination wedding if you aren't looking at an all-inclusive resort. Some couples also find it's difficult to hire local vendors since they can't meet them face-to-face until the day or week of the wedding. If it's at an off-site location, many times the couple will need to plan to arrive much earlier, so they can run errands and drop off items to the different vendors prior the wedding day. If you are looking for something less involved, an all-inclusive resort is an ideal option for one stop planning!

7. How's the Reputation of your Destination Venue? 
This question is why it's critical you work with a reputable travel agent, like Destinations HD, that specializes in destination wedding group planning. You want your day to be amazing, without any issues, and not have your guests complain that the service, food or accommodations weren't worth the money. Some couples find it best to do a pre-site visit early in the planning to meet the wedding coordinator, see the wedding location(s), taste the food, etc... to ensure it's something they feel would meet their expectations. Having a professional that has knowledge and experience in the destination you are looking at, will help you narrow your options and help you focus on those resorts that will meet or exceed your desires. 


To truly have enough time for planning (especially if want to do a pre-site visit) and to give your guests a reasonable amount of time to save and figure out work or daycare schedules, we recommend beginning the process at least 14-18 months prior to your ideal wedding date! Prime locations/dates at the better-quality resorts tend to be reserved over a year out, so if your date isn't flexible, but sure to plan early to get the date/time you want!

There are many other questions to ask and things to consider before jumping in with both feet. If you would like assistance in planning your destination wedding, call Destinations HD (913) 244-9195 to discuss more about our services and how we can make your destination wedding stress-free!
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