So, you're beginning to plan your wedding. Exciting, isn't it? First you have to pick the venue for your ceremony. Luckily you chose one that won't break the bank. Next there's the venue for the reception. Uh-oh, the bank's starting to bulge around the seams. That's okay; everything will be fine as long as you keep the guest list down. Hopefully Aunt Gladys' branch of the family won't mind if they're not…
Oh, they do mind.
And so does your cousin's ex-girlfriend's brother and his family. And your boss and her husband and three kids. Pretty soon your dental hygienist is perturbed that she's not invited. Don't look now, but your wedding budget's going to explode. It's about this time you wish you could just skip the wedding and go straight to the honeymoon on some tranquil island somewhere. Right?
Hm…maybe you can. It's called eloping. Or, in some circles, a destination wedding with just the two of you.
It seems more and more people are foregoing the traditional big wedding for a smaller affair in some exciting destination with just the bride and groom, or perhaps a small number of close family members. And, why not. With the high price of wedding planning these days, a destination wedding or eloping just makes sense.
Of course, just because you've opted for eloping or a small destination wedding doesn't mean you can throw your wedding planning checklist away. It's just a smaller checklist. Let's review what might be on your destination wedding planning checklist:
1. Choosing a Destination
This is the fun part. You have many fun choices before you. You can get married:
- In a hot-air balloon over Colorado.
- At Disneyland.
- On a beach in Southern California with just you, your partner, the wedding officiant, and a million dollar view that's costing you nothing.
- On a roller coaster in New Jersey.
- While snorkeling in Maui.
- Overlooking Niagara Falls.
- While bungee jumping in Las Vegas.
- At a historic inn in Vermont.
While planning the location for your destination wedding or elopement, do keep in mind the time of year you'll be getting married. You can keep the costs down considerably if you go during the off-season of the chosen location.
2. Make the Travel Plans
Making your travel plan far ahead of time will also cut down on costs. Also, be creative when considering the mode of travel. Maybe you could travel by train instead of by plane. A train can add some more romance to your wedding plans.
3. The Legal Issues
You need to check on the laws governing marriage in your chosen location. If you're a U.S. citizen and you plan on getting married in another country, for example, be sure to research what documentation you might need. There might also be a longer waiting period from getting your marriage license to actually marrying. Also, make sure you have your passport up to date.
4. The Wedding Officiant
5. The Photographer
6. Cake and Champagne
Whatever location you choose, be it a New England inn or bungee jumping in Las Vegas, you will probably find a company which will provide the wedding officiant, photographer and cake and champagne, as well as limousine transportation to the ceremony site. Be sure to ask if they're included in your package. If not, make sure you have them all lined up before your ceremony.
An elopement or destination wedding can be good for your budget and your stress level. And, if your Aunt Gladys is mad because she's not invited, bring her back something from Maui. That should keep her happy.
Destination Wedding Travel Agent
A destination wedding is a wedding that takes place in a location that is not home to either the bride or the groom or their families. Couples may choose a location that they have always wanted to visit for the location of their destination wedding. The couple may also opt to have their wedding in the location of their honeymoon so that there honeymoon will start immediately after the wedding. There are certain advantages and disadvantages to having a destination wedding. One of the most defining advantages is the ability to have a wedding in a beautiful and exotic location. Another advantage to a destination wedding is that if you choose to honeymoon in the same location you will first of all already be at your honeymoon location at the conclusion of the wedding and furthermore you will likely receive a discount on your honeymoon stay because you have already had your wedding at the location. One of the distinct disadvantages of a destination wedding is that the planning process can be difficult and that you are often unable to fully enjoy the planning process. Another disadvantage to destination weddings is that they are typically not well attended due to the fact that travel is expensive. A destination wedding can be used as the opportunity to enjoy a long weekend with close friends in a convenient location. The following are a few tips for turning your destination wedding into a fun-filed extended weekend for your guests.
Choosing a scenic location such as Colorado for your destination wedding can offer your guests a variety of fun activities to participate in either before or after your wedding. The couple could choose to have their wedding on a ranch or at a ski resort and there are a wide variety of activities available for the couple to participate in. Some of these activities include skiing, mountain biking, rock climbing and hiking.
Las Vegas is another popular destination wedding location. The lure of a Las Vegas wedding is that there is so much to see and do in this city. Guests can choose to spend their free time gambling, taking in shows or visiting the many famous restaurants in the area. Guests can also choose to visit some of the extravagant and world famous hotels in the area.
Another popular destination wedding location is Mexico. This is a popular location for a couple of reasons. Many couples choose to honeymoon in Mexico so that reason alone makes it an ideal destination wedding location. Also, the warm weather and beautiful white sand beaches provide a beautiful setting for a wedding. Guests who arrive early or choose to spend a few extra days in Mexico will not be disappointed with the available activities. Scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing, sunbathing and travel to ancient ruins are just a few of the activities that the guests can enjoy while in Mexico.
New York City is still another popular destination wedding location. Guests who travel to a destination wedding in New York City have a variety of activities to choose from while they are vacationing. Museums, plays, operas and sporting events are just a few of the available activities that guests may choose to partake in. Besides these activities, New York City also has some of the best people watching available in the world. The city is literally teeming with interesting characters that delight visitors with their idiosyncrasies. Additionally there are many nightclubs and restaurants that are definitely worth trying.
A destination wedding is basically a wedding and vacation combination. The key to hosting a great destination wedding is to choose a location that provides your guests with a beautiful background as well as a wealth of activities to keep them entertained for at least a few days. Although a destination wedding may sound perfect, it is important to realize that there are a few downsides to hosting a destination wedding. One problem is that many guests will decline your invitation because they are either unable or unwilling to travel for the wedding. This can also work to your advantage by limiting the number of guests as well. While you may be disappointed if close friends decline your wedding invitation, you are likely to be relieved that you do not have to pay for distant relatives or casual acquaintances at your wedding. The advantage, however, to a destination wedding is that the couple does not have to travel for their honeymoon and that the guests have the luxury of spending a few day in an exotic location.
Both Shari Hearn & Angela Sorros are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Shari Hearn has sinced written about articles on various topics from Cruise to Alaska, Pregnancy and Marriage. . Shari Hearn's top article generates over 9900 views. to your Favourites.
Angela Sorros has sinced written about articles on various topics from Bridesmaid, Tea and Health. Ex Assistant Reveals How Anyone Getting Married Can Put At Least $2474.11 Back Into Their Pockets... You may reproduce this article as long as the hyperl. Angela Sorros's top article generates over 6600 views. to your Favourites.
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