HOW TO PLAN A DESTINATION WEDDING: THINGS NOBODY TELLS YOU
Be sure to budget for conversion rates and taxes of foreign countries
It seems obvious that there might be a conversion rate in your destination country but what you may not consider is that it’s continually in flux and how that might affect your payments. When planning your destination wedding, think about timing. For instance, if you’re planning a summer wedding in Europe, you may want to put more money down with your vendors in the winter months, when the Euro is typically weaker rather than paying everything off in the summer when the Euro is strongest due to tourism.
Also, keep in mind each country has it’s own tax rate and some may be higher than you expect. Spain, for instance, has a VAT tax of 21% so when budgeting, be sure to include the VAT in your overall budget as it likely won’t be included in the estimates your vendors send. Your planner may be able help you estimate these charges.
The Pre-Wedding Itinerary
The days leading up to your wedding in a foreign location with your closest friends and family could arguably be the best part of having a destination wedding and hold many of the memories you make on the trip (besides the big day, of course). You may want to create activities for those who are interested, but not mandatory.
Instead of a full day of activities, consider one happy hour or meet-up location a day. Anyone who wants to join you for the day outside of that is a plus! Things will be flexible and may change, but keep a WhatsApp or Facebook messenger group so everyone’s in the loop and can come and go as they please. At the end of the day, it’s your wedding but also their vacation.
Be sure to send out email updates – But don’t over do it
Invitations are helpful (and necessary) and you can put as much information as you want on them. But chances are things will change or people will lose the invites before the wedding. Coordinating a large group to a different country can be challenging if it’s not an all-inclusive, one-stop resort. Using an email service like MailChimp or just a general email blast can help streamline things like hotel or reservations, transportation, booking questions, etc. Just don’t overdo it and start spamming your loved ones.
Your Beauty Treatments and getting ready
Might not be as easy as you think. If you leave for your wedding a week before the big day, you may not want to get your nails done that early or get a spray tan before you leave. The key point here is just because you’re in a different country, doesn’t mean they don’t have the same beauty treatments we do.
Almost everyone has manicures and spray tans. If you’re not able to do your hair/makeup trial before the big day – head to your destination a few days early to squeeze it in. While there are many things you can’t control in a destination wedding, there are some you can make time for before you book your departure date.
Relinquishing Control. Let a trusted planner take care of everything for you.
Don’t be afraid to give up control and also not sweating the details. By giving up control, you will actually enjoy the big day more. Then you won’t be consumed by what the seating chart is going to look like or how many candles each table has. With a destination wedding, you have to know going into it that being in the location of your choice is the best decision of all.
Anything you see on Pinterest might seem important now, but nobody except you will remember those details after the big day. It’s important that you have a local wedding planner who understands your vision and who you trust because they’ll be the ones helping select florists, recommend restaurants, or even tasting your food if you can’t make a trip before the big day. Having the best planner will be great!
Be considerate of your guests and costs involved
Yes, you’re spending a pretty penny for flights, decor, music, gifts and everything else that goes into your wedding. But be considerate of how much your guests are spending to see your big day. If possible, give your friends and family a year or more to save up for the big trip, knowing that most of your friends may be mid-20’s and don’t have a few extra thousand to throw around at any given time.
Also by selecting bridesmaid dresses that are all under $100 or low cost, they won’t have to break the bank for some costly designer dress nobody will ever wear again. And truthfully, the dresses will look just as good as the high priced ones!
Please consider those who were not able to go with you on the trip
You may want a Local reception when you get back. They are more appreciated than you might think. It takes the guilt off those who can’t make it either due to financial reasons, timing, etc. A local reception doesn’t have to be elaborate, and in fact, can be quite simply a family member’s house or reserving a small room at a local spot for cocktails one evening.
Planning your final payments
In the States, it’s typical to deliver final payments to your vendors by check, but internationally it’s a different story. Checks may not always be an option, therefore carrying a lot of foreign cash or paying additional costs for wire transfers (about $40) may be required. Talk to your wedding planner or vendors beforehand to see how they handle this with international couples to figure out your best option. Making smaller payments throughout the year rather than only a deposit and final check may help you in the long run.
At the end of the day, it’s all about YOU!
If you had any initial thoughts of a destination wedding, it’s because it’s what you and your fiancé wanted – not anyone else. You can only do and plan so much but the most important thing is you enjoy every second of it. So eat the food, dance all night, and sing along to your favorite songs at the top of your lungs, because it’s a day (or week) unlike anything else!