HONEYMOON Plan Your Wedding Abroad 12560 views
Sick of the English summer and tired of the traditional do? Then why not have a wedding abroad instead?
Many couples these days are ditching the British Isles in favour of sunnier climes, says international wedding planner Karen Thornton-Brown of WeddingsAbroad.com. So if sunshine is a must-have on your wedding day, check out these top 10 tips to planning a wedding abroad…
1. If your wedding is taking place in a hotel or resort, check other guests won’t be wandering by in their swimwear, ruining your snaps. And find out if yours is the only wedding of the day. There’s nothing worse than feeling as though you’re on a conveyor belt with four or five other brides all getting hitched one after the other.
2. Choose a specialist destination wedding planner as they can offer exclusive and affordable wedding services and are usually a more affordable option than a tour operator or travel agent. Prices will be competitive, too, as they have built up relationships over the years directly with suppliers.
3. Think about the time of year you want to get married and research the local climate to avoid cyclones or the rainy season or busy tourist season.
4. Get all of the required documentation as soon as you’ve booked the venue. This should include originals of Birth Certificates (usually the full version), Decree Absolute’s and Death Certificates if applicable.
5. Create a budget, highlighting those expenses that are top priorities. For example, the location may be the most crucial element for you, or perhaps the dress or food is more important.
6. Decide if you want to stay in the same hotel as your guests. If not, compile a list of recommended hotels for your guests and decide if they should book themselves or if you or your wedding planner will book their rooms.
7. Send out save the date cards as early as possible, preferably at least eight months in advance, and especially if you have friends and family that will be making a long trip.
8. Personalise your wedding by incorporating local traditions or customs. For example in Italy many couples have a traditional Italian wedding cake, while at Caribbean island weddings it is not usual to have a best man.
9. A wedding website is the perfect way to keep your guests informed of travel and accommodation options, wedding details, dress codes and schedules. You can also include information such as expected weather plus links to amenities and attractions in the area.
10. Plan to arrive at your wedding destination a few days before the actual event to avoid any last-minute glitches. Often there is paperwork and appointments to attend to, so meeting with your wedding planner on site will ensure you iron out all the fine detail, leaving you to relax and enjoy your dream destination wedding.
Photo © iStockphoto, Les Pringle
Posted in category: Honeymoon
