Destination Wedding Guide

Destination weddings are becoming more and more popular and for good reason…the opportunity to combine a holiday with a once in a lifetime celebration is exactly what dreams are made of!  Planning a destination wedding isn’t always easy though, so we have prepared this destination wedding guide to guide you along the way.  Enjoy!

Location

Where do you envision your dream wedding?  No matter where you choose…from mountaintops to seashores to tropical islands…there are several things to consider when choosing the location for your big day…

Remember to think about:

• Climate
• Time of year (is it a busy or slow season?)
• Distance for guests to travel
• Availability of necessary services

Transportation 

Often overlooked is the availability of transportation at certain destinations and how you and your guests will get around while visiting your stunning location…

Things to consider:

• Group airfare
• Airport transfers
• Guest transfers to/from wedding site
• Wedding party transportation
• Accommodation

Would you like all of your guests to stay at the same accommodation or do you want to provide them with options?  And where will you be spending your wedding night?

Whatever you decide you should research the following:

• Availability (seasonal demand)
• Type/Style of accommodation
• Group rate discounts
• Wedding party accommodation
• Wedding night suite

Recreation

One of the main reasons couples choose to have a destination wedding is because they want to share the magic of somewhere special with their guests.  The best way to do this is to provide some guidance to your friends and family so that they can enjoy your favorite spot as much as you do!

• Activities available to guests
• Personal recommendations
• Wedding party activities
• Welcome activity
• Honeymoon activities

Coordination

As we mentioned, planning a destination wedding isn’t always easy and it is often helpful to recruit some help from a local planner or venue coordinator.  You will find that planning from home is  much easier when you have a set of eyes and ears on the ground looking after your wishes.

• Pre-wedding planning
• Vendor coordination
• Day of Coordination

Celebration

And now for the fun part…planning your party!  Choosing the ceremony and reception site as well as your required vendors will set the style, mood and theme of your wedding.  Take the time to look into several different options in each area and then you will be sure you are picking the right ones!

• Ceremony site
• Reception Venue
• Vendor referrals
• Music
• Caterers
• Florists
• Cake
• Photographers

Above all…remember to have a wonderful holiday and enjoy your special day in your amazing location!

*This article was written by ,Sarah Arkin, a professional wedding consultant with Simply Perfect Weddings based in Queenstown, New Zealand.  If you are thinking of planning a destination wedding in New Zealand then Queenstown may be the perfect place…stunning views, majestic mountains, and an alpine town that buzzes with adventure and excitement! Check out our website for more FREE planning tools and checklists! www.simplyperfect.co.nz

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