Planning A Destination Wedding: A Guide To Tying The Knot Away From Home

Planning a wedding away from home can be a challenge, but it's not impossible. From choosing a destination-inspired theme to recreating the feeling of a far-flung location, there are many ways to make your dream wedding a reality, even if you can't travel there. Whether you're dealing with time, weather, or travel constraints, there are steps you can take to ensure your special day goes smoothly. From scheduling meetings with vendors to finalising details and getting signed contracts, it's important to be organised.

Choosing vendors and scheduling meetings

When it comes to choosing vendors and scheduling meetings, it's important to be organised and efficient. First, you'll want to have an estimated guest list and a drafted guest list from your parents before booking your venue. This will ensure you have a clear idea of the number of guests you're planning on inviting.

Once you've chosen all your vendors, plan a trip to your wedding location and schedule in-person meetings with each of them. This will allow you to finalise details, attend tastings, and obtain signed copies of all contracts. It's best to plan these meetings in one trip to save time and effort. Make sure to make appointments in advance, as simply "stopping by" may result in vendors being unavailable or unprepared.

If travelling to meet with vendors is challenging due to weather, travel, or time constraints, consider hiring a wedding planner or coordinator who can assist with these tasks. They can also help with décor and other details, ensuring a stress-free planning process.

Arranging catering, styling and planning the timeline

Firstly, it is important to choose your vendors, including caterers, and plan a trip to your wedding location to meet with them in person. This will allow you to finalise details, attend tastings, and get signed contracts. It is also a good idea to make appointments with your vendors, rather than just 'stopping by', to ensure they are available and prepared for your meeting.

When it comes to catering, it is important to consider the number of guests you are planning on inviting and have a drafted guest list. This will help you to plan the amount of food and drink needed, as well as any dietary requirements. It is also important to consider the timeline of the wedding day itself, including when food will be served, to ensure that it doesn't get cold and that your guests don't get too drunk without enough food to soak it up!

Styling is another important aspect of planning a wedding away from home. Consider the overall aesthetic you want to achieve and choose decorations and centrepieces that fit with this. If you are unable to transport decorations and centrepieces yourself, you may want to consider hiring a wedding planning company to provide these for you.

Finally, when planning a wedding away from home, it is important to be flexible and prepared for any last-minute changes. This may include changes to the timeline, catering, or styling due to weather, travel, or other unforeseen circumstances.

Creating a guest list

Planning a wedding away from home can be a challenge, but with the right preparation, it can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience. One of the first steps is to create a guest list, which will help you choose a venue that can accommodate your desired number of guests. Here are some tips to help you create a guest list for your wedding away from home:

Start with a rough estimate: Before finalising your venue, it's important to have an estimated number of guests in mind. This will ensure that your chosen venue can comfortably accommodate your guest list. Consider the capacity of the venue and whether it will provide enough space for your guests to mingle and enjoy the celebration.

Create a draft guest list: Begin by listing the people you definitely want to invite, such as close family and friends. Then, consider any additional guests you may want to include, such as extended family, colleagues, or friends you haven't seen in a while. It's a good idea to involve your parents or close relatives in this process, as they may have suggestions or requests for specific guests.

Consider the logistics: Planning a wedding away from home may involve additional travel and accommodation arrangements for your guests. Think about the location of your wedding and whether it is easily accessible for your guests. Consider providing transportation options or recommending nearby accommodation to make their journey more convenient.

Prioritise your relationships: As you refine your guest list, prioritise the people who are closest to you and have a significant impact on your life. It's important to surround yourself with those who truly matter and will help make your wedding day memorable.

Be mindful of budget constraints: Weddings can be expensive, and the cost per guest can add up quickly. Consider your budget and whether you can comfortably accommodate all the guests on your list. If necessary, be selective and choose the guests who are most important to you and your partner.

Keep an open line of communication: Throughout the planning process, maintain open and honest communication with your partner, parents, and anyone else closely involved. Discuss any changes or updates to the guest list and ensure that everyone is on the same page. This will help avoid last-minute surprises or disappointments.

Setting up a sanitising station

Planning a wedding away from home can be challenging, but it's important to remember to include safety and health precautions in your plans. One way to do this is by setting up a sanitising station. Here are some tips on how to do this:

Firstly, source your wedding sanitiser. You can buy hand sanitiser in bulk, or you can provide guests with their own individually-sized bottles. If you buy bulk hand sanitiser, make sure it comes with a pump, or buy a pump separately.

Next, work with your planner or venue to decide where to place the sanitising station. It's a good idea to set up stations at entrances and exits, and near restrooms, so that guests can easily see them.

You can also decorate your sanitising station to match your wedding theme and decor. Talk to your florist or event decorator about adding a small floral arrangement, and include some fun signage. You could include a basket of face masks, and hand sanitiser wipes, and place a small bottle of hand sanitiser or a packet of hand disinfecting wipes at each guest's place.

Finally, use your sanitising station as a place to communicate important information. You can include guidelines about the venue's social distancing rules, and how staff are following protocols to keep guests healthy.

Incorporating your destination into the design

Planning a wedding away from home can be challenging, but it's a great opportunity to incorporate your destination into the design. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Firstly, consider the cultural and natural surroundings of your chosen location. You can reflect the destination's charm by incorporating illustrations of the venue, carefully selected colour palettes, and motifs into your wedding design. For example, if you're getting married on a tropical beach, you can use sea life motifs such as starfish, sand dollars, or seashells on your invitations and other stationery.

In addition to stunning scenery, destination weddings offer unique activities and cultural elements that you can incorporate into your big day. You can serve traditional cuisine, decorate with local flowers, and set the table with customary keepsakes. The local culture, art, food, history, and architecture can all inspire your wedding design.

Don't forget about the importance of lighting and décor in creating a memorable ambience. Choose a colour palette that aligns with your destination and use it throughout your wedding décor, from the invitations to the table settings. This will create a cohesive and immersive experience for your guests.

Finally, make sure to plan a trip to your wedding location to finalise the details with your vendors. Schedule meetings with them in person to attend tastings, finalise contracts, and ensure that your vision for incorporating the destination into your wedding design is on track.

Frequently asked questions