Print Article for : The Knot Destination Wedding

Your Online Guide » Wedding Guide » Planning a Wedding

[T552]The Knot Destination Wedding

by Joe Steven, Joe

Over the last few years, destination weddings have become wildly popular. This is not surprising, since it is hard to resist having a wedding on the sandy beaches of Hawaii or Tahiti. However, one thing that you must keep in mind is that destination weddings are known for their difficulty, particularly in the planning stage. A destination wedding is simply defined as any wedding which requires you to travel to a location for the event. Many destination weddings will be held in places in which the couple are not residents. If only the couple will be getting married during this event, and no guests are present, this is referred to as eloping.

One thing that many people don't realize is that destination weddings can be far cheaper than their traditional counterparts. However, this cost will largely be dependent on where you intend on getting married, and how much it costs to get there. As you plan the destination wedding, one thing that you will want to keep in mind is that traditionally, all your guests are expected to pay the cost of their flight. The couple will make up for this by paying for the lodging of their guest during the trip, as well as the food and drinks. If you pay for the rooms of your guests, many resorts will give you a discount rate for booking multiple rooms.

The next step in planning a destination wedding is the location. The good news about this is that you have many places to choose from. When you decide the place of your destination, you can make things easier on yourself by picking a place that has easier marriage laws. Many travel sites and books can give you detailed information on which places have the least strict laws. You will also want to consider the cost of the flight and the cost of the country in general.

When it comes to the details of the planning stage, you could hire a wedding consultant, who is experienced with such matters. While it will cost you to hire this consultant, the information they provide you with can save you a great deal of money. If you have the experience, you can plan the wedding yourself, but this will require you to get your hands dirty and do a lot of research. A destination wedding can truly be the experience of a life time, especially if you plan it properly.

If you are looking to have a wedding that is fun and relaxing for everyone involved, a destination wedding may be just the ticket. Getaways to beautiful locations have a special flavor that simply cannot be matched by a traditional wedding in your hometown. To make the most of your destination wedding, read on.

The key to having a truly great destination wedding is to get into the spirit of it. You know how when you vacation at a top notch resort on a scenic island, the staff conveys that "don't worry, be happy" vibe? Well that is exactly the mood to aim for. In other words, even if you are normally a very detail oriented type A person, you will only be able to really enjoy your destination wedding by letting go a little (or a lot, depending on how tightly you are used to controlling things!). Don't sweat the small stuff, and trust in the resort's wedding coordinator to put together a beautiful event for you.

Since the location itself is part of the magic of a destination wedding, try to stay as long as possible. You will definitely want to arrive a few days in advance of your wedding so that you will have some time to unwind before the big day. Undoubtedly, you will also be glad to have a little time to go over the last minute details with the hotel staff (although remember, you are not going to sweat the small stuff!). A longer lead time will also allow you to spend some quality time with your closest family members before the rest of the guests arrive. And obviously, the longer the honeymoon, the better!

Something that will truly make your destination wedding a success is embracing the local culture. Carry a bouquet of big tropical flowers in bright colors, include seashells and faux coral in your centerpiece design, and serve fresh local fish for dinner, if it is available. Fresh tropical fruit and flowers make beautiful decorations for the wedding cake, and seem much more appropriate for a beach wedding than fussy (and costly) sugar flowers. Why not take advantage of all of the best aspects of your wedding location?

Don't forget to embrace the relaxed island spirit for your wedding attire as well. A tea length organza wedding dress with large fabric flowers for decoration would be marvelous for a ceremony on the sand. Accent it with beach theme wedding jewelry, such as a crystal starfish pendant. Aim for a similar effect for your bridesmaids. Stick with shorter bridesmaid dresses in breezy fabrics and cheerful colors (no black!) and for their bridesmaid gifts, think about beach wedding jewelry similar to yours. Silver starfish pendants or bracelets would be fabulous souvenirs of your wedding for your friends to enjoy.

Last but not least, learn about your destination before you go. Naturally you will choose a fabulous resort, but what else is there to see and do in the area? If you are being married in Cancun, schedule a trip to see the Mayan ruins, or take a sightseeing helicopter trip over Hawaii, or visit the jungle in Puerto Rico. Every place will have special and unique features worth seeing. Taking the time to really enjoy the entire location that you have chosen for your destination wedding will make the whole experience that much more memorable.

Article Source : Pg. 6

About Author

Both Joe Steven & Bridget Mora 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.

Joe Steven has sinced written about articles on various topics from Pets, Dog Training and Birthday Gifts. Joe Steven works as a freelance wedding planner. He believes that every couple deserves a perfect wedding.Find out how you can have a perfect wedding that everyone will talk about at. Joe Steven's top article generates over 27100 views. to your Favourites.

Bridget Mora has sinced written about articles on various topics from Marriage, Wedding Gowns and Wedding Bells. Bridget Mora writes for Silverland Jewelry about weddings, style, and travel.Beautiful is perfect for a destination wedding.. Bridget Mora's top article generates over 60500 views. to your Favourites.