**Updated May 2020**
A destination wedding is an exciting and exotic way to get married! You have the chance to get married in paradise! How could you say no to that?! If you’re ready to start planning your own beach wedding, here are a few destination wedding tips to get you started. Follow these and you can rest assured that everything will go off without a hitch. (No pun intended.)
Tip #1: Pick a Place That’s Right For Your Destination Wedding
Pick a location that means something to you and your future spouse. Maybe you had an amazing vacation in Punta Cana, and you can’t wait to come back! Or maybe you’ve only heard great things but never actually been yourself. Just because one of your bridesmaids loved the Dominican doesn’t mean you will. So research different destinations and compare your choices. Punta Cana is an amazing choice, but it’s not for everyone.
Definitely make sure you have a budget before you do all that searching. You don’t want to find the perfect villa in Punta Cana only to find out it’s thousands of dollars out of your budget.
Tip #2: Visit Your Destination Before the Wedding
This may seem silly, but if you’ve never been to a certain location before, how do you know it’s the perfect spot for your destination wedding? Research can only do so much; experiencing everything first hand will give you a good idea of what to expect in terms of climate, services, and so much more. While you’re there, make sure you ask about local wedding requirements. Sometimes resort wedding planners will do this for you, but if you don’t have a wedding planner, make sure to ask!
Tip #3: Tell Your Family and Friends Before the Invites Are Sent
Let’s just be realistic here… Not everyone can afford to travel to a destination wedding. So you’ll want to talk to your friends and family earlier than you would for a traditional wedding. Let them know where your destination wedding will be and give some tips on how to book. Check out our Wedding Checklist for a timeline on when Save the Dates should be sent and how to set up a wedding website.
Tip #4: Budget, Budget, Budget
Talk with your fiance about your budget before you seriously begin to plan anything. It’s best to set a range instead of a fixed amount, and try to be flexible as you start planning. Make sure you set a reasonable budget for yourselves. It always helps to save a bit before putting the plans into action. A wedding planner may be the best option to help you stick within your budget. They’ll help make sure you stay on track, will make adjustments when necessary, and will ensure that there aren’t any surprise fees later on.
For more destination wedding tips, check out 15 Tips for Planning a Beach Wedding.
