Like this:

So, it’s now time to take a look at the idea of destination wedding locations. Choosing a location is not an easy task. There are many aspects that need to be looked at & Turning Page Events is going to give you a few steps and tips to make it less stressful (and I do think we can all agree that less stress is best, right!)

The first thing to look at is your budget. Can you afford taking your wedding outside of your city and making it still perfect? YES YOU CAN! It’s all based on how you and your future spouse see it. Your vision is the key to the final decision. *TIP #1 - The term destination wedding is based on the weddin or event being more than 3 hours away from home!*

Now, back to the financing. There are many who are now taking advantage of having a wedding or event in combination with a family vacation. Why? It is to have everyone who means that much to you in attendance. Bonus points: PLENTY!! Yet for those who are wondering how to factor in the money with the guests; you only pay for you & your future spouse, your bridal party and the meal at the location. The rest is up to your guests. Now before you get into a tizzy, let me be honest, there is no real and hard fast you that you must do this or that; they are suggestions to keep solely based on traditional social etiquette.

Next up: your guests & bridal party needs. Choosing a location can be simple or somewhat difficult. The detail is in how you approach it; tactfully. If you have kids in attendance and you know they are important to you (say this is your second wedding,) then make the resort part of the fun. The resort should be equipped with staff that can be entertaining before and after the wedding day itself. They too want to have fun, why not make it worth it for them. A great example of this is Beaches by Sandals in Turks & Caicos or their Jamaica locations! Talk about entertainment where the kids have a vacation of their own. (From Xbox game rooms, to learn to be a dj with the Scratch Academy to a staff of Beaches for every 3 kids, is something the company strives to keep – because they know the driving force to making sure the parents are relaxed are the children!)

Another point about the location, find something about it that drew you there. Was it a place the two of you wish to visit or that is where you were engaged? Was that the place you knew he/she was the person you wanted to marry? By taking the time to reflect on why that location, then the resort is easier to match. That’s next. (Yes, some of the Sesame Street Characters can be found at any of the Beaches by Sandals Resorts! They are adorable in person as they are on tv!)

Choosing a resort/venue is just as important as picking out the food. You want to ensure your guests will have a fabulous time just as much as you are. The venue will be your best friend in terms of amenities (from spas, water activities, tours off site, many food restaurants, etc.) Take a serious look at what each place has to offer. *TIP #2 – Some places if you choose to book there for your wedding, they will allow a site visit and show you what they have to offer. A site visit is approximately 3 days length and a complete feel of what can occur. The advantage is that once you sign a contract after the visit, the amount will be deducted from your destination wedding package! Amazing isn’t it!*

Up next: Guest size! The number of guests will also determine if that particular resort/venue can handle your wedding. Some places may state they can house up to 100 guests and truthfully, they might really house 80 with their staff or other guests making up the difference. By having a guesstimate (an estimated guest guess) you can check brochures and see the resort room capacity counts well in advance of getting there and having people bunking on cots. More resorts and other types like bed & breakfast inns, are reconstructing their property to house larger crowds (including children areas) since the increase has been in destination weddings. How does this benefit you? Well, if you have folks that cannot reside at your host location for the wedding (for their own personal reasons), having them nearby & only paying for a day pass can be a financial ease to them & a smile for you to have them still attend your nuptials. The key is to find solutions to that can work for everyone!  (Top left is one of the many gardens that you can have your wedding in. The photo on the right is of the Beaches Logo on their man-made waterfall in the Caribbean Village Pool area. All photos were taken by Turning Page Events, 2009.)

Lastly, the other great point is having someone back you up in the research, planning and ultimate goal of having your wedding a smash. Yes, having a Destination Wedding Planner/Coordinator is definitely your “icing on the cake!”  They will be able to ensure that you are sticking to budget, finding venues based on your requirements and knows how to work with local vendors & the resort to get you the wedding of your dreams. Some planners may also have contacts at locations already at your choice destination. *TIP #3 – Use the expertise of a planner to aid you in receiving some financial breaks & perks!*

Here at Turning Page Events, we are certified Destination Wedding Coordinators; our goal is to ensure you have a romantic wedding anywhere in the world with ease. We are TICO Approved; which means you get the benefit of our travel expertise when deciding on where to go in the world! We are also delighted to have been certified by Sandals & their affiliates (Beaches, Royal Pineapple & Grand Pineapple) as well as Superclubs & their affiliates. Turning Page Events also has contacts to aid you in making the best of your event; whether it be a wedding, anniversary, best friends trip, vow renewals or a family vacation, allow us to be your destination eyes to the world!

Advertisement