Start Planning Early
We are staring at the obvious for a reason. Planning the superficial details over actually taking time to straighten out the finer ones is extremely important, especially in destination weddings. The biggest advantage of planning is early bird prices on venues, accommodation, and vendors. Make sure to avoid last-minute rushes and seasonal prices, especially if you’re getting married in peak wedding season.
Hire a versatile Wedding planner
Planning a destination wedding is a full-time job. And unless you plan on taking a career break, we wouldn’t suggest you go down this rabbit hole. Talking to local vendors, understanding nuances of production, and planning for worst-case scenarios in a different city is a task for experts.
If your wedding planning team is diverse and can speak multiple languages, then that’s a bonus, too. Call us and we’ll tell you why in 6 languages.
Get Documents in Order
The legal regulations vary based on where you are tying the knot. For the marriage license, you might have to come back to your hometown and sign the necessary documents and in some cases, have to produce proof of your wedding in the other city(eg: a photograph or invite). If you’re planning an international destination, passports and visas are a big to-do on your list. If there’s alcohol, music, or even Baarat in your wedding, checking if permits are needed for any of that is necessary.
Manage Family Expectations
While it is the most important day for the couple, the families of the couple come with big dreams and opinions on how the wedding should be. Having clear and open conversations about what is feasible and what can take a back seat is very important to make sure no emotions are hurt in the process. Weddings are largely emotional, to begin with, and the older generation may hold sentiments with cultural traditions that you may want to alter in your destination wedding. Learn to manage family expectations before the wedding so that no one (especially you) is overwhelmed on the day of the wedding.
Create a Detailed Itinerary
Right from when you reach the destination and until you say goodbye to the place, make a note of everything you’d like to do. The actual ongoings might be far from your itinerary but it will give you a sense of direction when you already have too much on your plate.
It’s also advisable to make a detailed itinerary for your guests so they can know what to expect when and where. This will avoid confusion and redundancy in communication. If there are sightseeing options or tourist activities available around your venue, put it on the list for your guests to explore when there’s no wedding event.
Set a Realistic Budget
A destination wedding will cost more than a wedding in your hometown. The stress of finances is a huge burden on those planning weddings. To avoid this, make sure you set realistic budgets for all categories of expenses, including most importantly the tab on unforeseen expenses. You wouldn’t believe how large, something as small as a taxi bill will look on your final bill.
Consider the Weather
Understanding the weather is not only important for the production and operation of the wedding, but also plays a huge role in how comfortable you are on your wedding day. While the logistics of planning for rain or sunshine might be high, the precautions you take for it should not lead to you feeling humid or extremely cold thanks to the air conditioner. To keep you and your guests comfortable and to also bring down the cost of your wedding production, try planning the wedding when the weather is manageable in your destination.
Communication is Key
If you are talking design with the wedding planner, rituals with the elders, guest management with the hotel, and planning an after-party with your friends, chance is a lot of it is going to get mixed up. To reduce stress closer to the wedding, ensure that someone else or a team of members is informed of the various ongoings.
While there are a lot more ways where you can deal with the stress of planning a destination wedding, the easiest way would be to contact us! We’ll take care of it all so all you have to worry about is packing the right things and getting to the venue on time.
For a stress-free destination wedding, trust The Tales of Tradition. We specialize in turning your dream wedding into a reality with our comprehensive planning services. Our expertise in grand event planning ensures every detail mirrors your unique story. Entrust us with your special day for an unforgettable blend of tradition, beauty, and seamless execution. Let us turn your wedding aspirations into a beautifully orchestrated reality.
