Hiii! I am SO happy you’re here, we’re going to have the best time. Seriously, how can you not have fun when it comes to planning your wedding?! I’ve seen so many different weddings over the years as a videographer and have fallen absolutely head over heels in love with the idea of a destination wedding. So, I want to help you! There is so much thought and time that goes into planning a destination wedding but it can be hard to figure out exactly where to start — that’s where I come in. I’ve gathered some tips and tricks for planning the ultimate destination wedding experience and brought them here to you. We’re going to talk about it all. The good, the bad, the amaaazing! Because, let’s face it… Destination weddings aren’t easy, but boy are they worth it! 

There are so many benefits to having a destination wedding. You can have a more intimate experience, really cherish the time with your close friends and family, OR enjoy with just the two of you. Take those extra dollars you would have spent on a large extravagant wedding and spoil your favorite people who helped you get to where you are today. Plus, the whole bonus of it being a 2-in-1 situation… your destination wedding can easily turn into your honeymoon!

What You Should Know About Planning A Destination Wedding 

So, have I convinced you to plan the ULTIMATE destination wedding experience yet?! Amazing! There is so much to know when it comes to planning a wedding but that knowledge is taken to the next step when you’re planning a destination wedding. Here’s what you need to know.

You’re Invited!

When should you notify and invite your guests to your destination wedding? Well, you’re not going to want to give them too much of a notice because people usually forget…guilty! You also don’t want to notify them the month before, so they have adequate amount of time to plan. So, I’d suggest at least 3 or 4 months before the big day. However, if your wedding is somewhere far, you may want to give your guests a bit more of a heads up. This way they can book their travel in time. Just think about who you’re inviting, where they’re located, and how they’ll need to travel. They’ll be so thankful for the notice but also thankful that you didn’t tell them a year ago!

When And Where?

Different parts of the world have their peak seasons at different times. Whether you’re planning a destination wedding in the mountains of Colorado or the beaches of Mexico, you’ll want to pay attention to what time of year is going to be best! Are you dreaming of soft sea breezes and not sweating your butts off? Maybe look more towards the winter months if you’re going south. If you’re looking for those beautiful white mountain peaks but don’t want to absolutely freeze then check out early Spring! There are so many different locations and I know for a fact you’re going to find a good one!

Enjoy Your Stay!

You’re inviting your guests to celebrate with you on one of the most important days of your life. But, with a destination wedding comes a lot more $$$! And, well, your guests may not be so willing to front the bill. When planning your destination wedding ask yourself what it is you’d like to accommodate for your guests. Is it their hotel room? Their flights? Their meals? Or all of the above? Whatever you’re willing to pay for, your guests will be even more likely to show. You don’t need to go above and beyond, but it will show your guests how much you appreciate them. 

Destination Wedding Tips 

I could go on and on about what you need to know, but sometimes a quick little list does the trick! Destination weddings can be complex which is why I’ve created a quick list of destination wedding planning tips for you so you can confidently move in the direction of bringing your wedding day to life! 

• Visit your location ahead of time – who doesn’t love a good reason for a quick getaway? Make sure you visit the location you’re getting married along with the hotel or Airbnb you’re planning on staying at so you know what you’re walking into on your wedding day.
• Consider where guests will stay-  As we discussed earlier, making sure your guests are comfortable and feel welcome is important. So, make sure the locations they may be staying in are not only comfortable but relatively close to your wedding location.
• Choose vendors that are willing to travel – Some vendors (myself included) have the travel bug BIG TIME. Those are the vendors you’ll want for your destination wedding. Usually, these vendors will have it listed on their website where they’re willing to travel to.
• Hire a professional videographer – I know you’ve been told again and again how important a photographer is but… have you thought about video? Videographers can capture the special moments and full experience in a way photos just can’t. Your wedding video will bring you back year after year to the best day of your life. The pure emotions of joy and love will radiate through the video and mean the world to you!
• Plan an itinerary for guests – If your destination wedding is somewhere guests haven’t been to yet, take the time to plan out an itinerary for them so they can hit up all the hot spots while they’re there! 
• Check local marriage requirements – I cannot express how important this is!! Make sure that you check with the local county or city to make sure you have everything you need to make your marriage legal. Call ahead of time and plan for all the paperwork you will need to fill out or what passports and documents you may need to show. 

I seriously am just so beyond excited for you to start on your destination wedding planning experience. I hope you take these suggestions and absolutely RUN with them! As a videographer I love watching the magic of a wedding come to life and would just love to help you live up your big day. Reach out to learn more about my videography packages!