Planning A Getaway Wedding: Tips For A Dream Destination

Planning a destination wedding can be a challenging and complex process, but it's becoming more common and accessible. Destination weddings can be a trip of a lifetime and come with many perks that streamline the planning process. It's important to understand passport and visa requirements and not to commit to a venue, hotel or resort without visiting it first. You'll also need to book vendors, especially caterers, photographers and decor rentals, and a rehearsal dinner venue.

Choosing a venue

So, before you start planning, it's a good idea to visit your chosen destination to tour and select a venue. Think back to your favourite vacations as a couple. What did you love about the location? Did the weather play a big factor? Did you love the people and the culture? Was the architecture inspiring? Is there a dream destination on your bucket list? Answers to these questions should help steer you toward a wedding location.

Once you've chosen a location, it's time to select a venue. Consider the size of your guest list and the type of wedding you want. Do you want an intimate ceremony in a small, boutique hotel, or a grand celebration in a historic castle? Research venues in your chosen location and read reviews from other couples. It's also a good idea to understand any legal considerations in your destination of choice, as every country has its own set of laws governing marriage and weddings. You may need to tie the knot officially at a local courthouse before your ceremony.

Finally, don't forget to book your vendors, especially your caterer, photographer, and any large decor rentals such as tables and chairs. And remember, with a clear vision and a little help from a wedding planner, you can achieve all your wedding goals.

Passport and visa requirements

When planning a getaway wedding, it's important to understand the passport and visa requirements for you and your guests. If you're getting married in a far-flung country, you and your guests will need valid passports to travel. It's also important to check the visa requirements for the country you're travelling to. Some countries may require a visa for entry, and the process of obtaining a visa can vary depending on the country. It's a good idea to start the visa application process early, as it can sometimes take several weeks or even months to obtain the necessary visas.

In addition to passports and visas, there may be other documentation that you need to provide when travelling to your wedding destination. For example, some countries may require proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result for entry. It's important to research the specific requirements for your chosen destination and plan accordingly.

Another thing to keep in mind is that passport and visa requirements can change over time. It's a good idea to stay up-to-date with the latest information from official sources, such as government websites or embassies. This will help ensure that you and your guests have the correct documentation when travelling to your wedding destination.

Finally, it's important to consider the cost and time involved in obtaining passports and visas. Passports can be expensive, and the visa application process may require additional fees. It's important to factor these costs into your wedding budget and give yourself enough time to complete the necessary paperwork. By planning ahead and staying organised, you can ensure that you and your guests have a seamless travel experience to your getaway wedding.

Booking vendors

When it comes to choosing a ceremony venue, hotel, or resort, it is not advised to commit to a location that you haven't experienced firsthand. Asking friends and family to make extensive travel plans to a location you haven't visited yourself is a costly risk. It is also important to understand the passport and visa requirements for your chosen destination, as well as any other logistical considerations that may come with a destination wedding.

To make the process seamless, you can consider hiring a wedding planner who can help you achieve all your wedding goals. They will be able to provide expert advice and guide you through the entire planning process, ensuring that your special day becomes a trip of a lifetime.

When booking vendors, it is essential to have a clear vision of what you want for your wedding. This will help you communicate your expectations clearly and ensure that your vendors can bring your dream wedding to life.

Rehearsal dinner

Planning a rehearsal dinner for a getaway wedding is much easier than planning one for a traditional wedding. The guest list is simple: everyone who is there gets invited. The only exception to this rule is if you have a very large wedding, in which case you can limit it to family and the wedding party.

The first step is to decide who to invite. The obvious people to invite are your wedding party and their spouses or partners. But you may also want to invite close family members and friends who live near the destination.

Next, you need to book your rehearsal dinner venue. It is customary to invite all of your guests to your rehearsal dinner if you’re hosting a destination wedding. Communicate with your wedding planner the type of rehearsal dinner you envision. They can easily match your vision with one of their onsite restaurants. If you want to have a rehearsal dinner that isn’t in one of the resort restaurants, make that known. For example, you could ask if they offer packages for private parties onsite, such as a beach-side or mountain-top rehearsal dinner.

Finally, don’t forget to make a toast! The rehearsal dinner is the perfect opportunity to thank your parents, wedding party and guests for all their support.

Pros and cons

Planning a getaway wedding can be challenging, but it can also be rewarding. Here are some pros and cons to consider when deciding whether to plan a getaway wedding:

Pros

One of the biggest pros of a getaway wedding is that your special day becomes a trip of a lifetime. A getaway wedding can be a unique and memorable experience for you and your guests. It can also be a great opportunity to explore a new place and create lasting memories. In addition, destination weddings are becoming more common and accessible, so bringing your dream wedding to life may not be as hard as you think. With a clear vision and the help of a wedding planner, you can achieve all your wedding goals.

Cons

However, there are also some cons to consider when planning a getaway wedding. One of the biggest challenges is the logistical complexity. Organising a wedding can be difficult enough, and adding in the extra considerations of a destination wedding can make things even more complicated. For example, you may need to book vendors such as caterers, photographers, and rental companies for tables and chairs, which can be more difficult when you are not familiar with the local options. Another consideration is the cost. It can be a costly risk to commit to a ceremony venue, hotel, or resort sight unseen. It is also not advisable to ask friends and family to make extensive travel plans to a location that you haven't experienced firsthand.

Overall, a getaway wedding can be a wonderful experience, but it is important to carefully consider the pros and cons before making a decision.

Frequently asked questions