Thinking of a destination wedding? Continue reading this post by Susan Cisorio, certified honeymoon and destination wedding specialist, for tips!

To read Susan’s post on Jamaica as a honeymoon destination, click HERE
To read the FULL Bridal Guide Series, click HERE

Now get this.  In 2011 there were 156,920 weddings in Canada.  Now that is a whole heck of a lot of “I do’s”.  The average cost of a wedding in 2011 was $23,330.  That is a lot of money for a couple and more and more brides and grooms after seeing the price tag of having a wedding at home, are deciding to take the wedding on the road!  More couple today are choosing a destination wedding, in fact the number of couples choosing a destination wedding is up by 200%.   And why not!  With the incredible number of destinations worldwide to get married in and the endless list of options it is a once in a lifetime opportunity to have a wedding that lets you stand out from the crowd and be as unique as the two of you.

Barefoot on the beach at sunset or in a castle in Scotland, destination weddings offer the bride and groom the opportunity to have the wedding of their dreams without the fuss and huge bill.  Destination weddings are accessible, affordable and an unforgettable vacation for the bride, groom and guests.  

A destination wedding comes in many forms, styles and budgets but the best thing is though anything goes.  Some of the top wedding destinations include Punta Cana, Las Vegas, Mayan Riviera and Jamaica.  Many popular all-inclusive resorts offer basic destination weddings at no charge, and couples can envision beyond the package to get anything they would want in a traditional wedding.  The size of a wedding party can vary from just the couple to hundreds taking over the entire property.  On site staff will help the couple during the months leading up to the big day to plan the wedding of their dreams and any additional events like a rehearsal dinner, bachelor/bachelorette festivities, a morning after brunch or a spa day for the bridal group.  But there are some things a couple should consider when going with a destination wedding:

• Couples should plan and plan early.  When inviting guests, it is always helpful to send out save the date cards once the planning is finalized and at least 6 to 9 months before the wedding date, so those you plan on inviting have the time to save and arrange the time to go.
• It’s also important to be clear with guests and the wedding party what they will be paying for.  Because friends and family do have different sized wallets and vacation budgets, consider a few accommodation style and prices.  Try and keep your resort options that appeal to you both at the most to three when making the decision whether it is small and elegant or big and splashy for your romantic celebration.  
• So how many friends and family do you plan on inviting to your wedding abroad?  Will there be children involved?  Be sure to ask the wedding coordinators before making your resort selection, what is the number of weddings held in a day?  What are the options on site for the ceremony location and do you have a choice?  Are day passes required for any guests who will not be staying at the same property and what is that additional cost?  What are the inclusions in the wedding packages and requirements?  

Of course you have to consider the destination and your budget.  Location, location, location.  You really want the spot to say something about the both of you.  Brides and grooms today are becoming more and more interested in experiencing something new from the jungles of Costa Rica, getting married at the top of a mountain before skiing on down, or going exotic to the max.  Professional on-site wedding planners in the destination know every inch of the area, and can help with finding the perfect off-property location in the region as well as what can and can’t be done.  They are also lifesavers in saving time and avoiding stress.  Not only though should the destination reflect the both of you but also have qualities and features that your guests will enjoy as a vacation destination and easy for them to say “I DO!” to your invitation. 

Your wedding budget is also an important concern.  The number of guests, level of accommodations, travel costs, possible excursions, special events, and what part of the wedding you and your fiancé are going to pay for all need to be thought about.  Be thorough with your budget and be sure to leave a cushion of funds for the unexpected that can crop up during the later stages of the planning.   Not only do you need to think about and budget how much you are going to spend, but also how much your guests will have to spend.  It is important that your guests be able to afford to attend your destination wedding.   

In regards to your aisle style, there are no hard and fast rules as to what you should wear.  It has pretty much all been done from the full elaborate princess wedding dress, colourful tropical flowing dresses to bikinis.  Keep in mind that you don’t want to overheat if you are getting married in a tropical climate, and fabrics designed for tropical weather come in beautiful styles when you go on your search for that perfect wedding dress.   Most airlines no longer have a designated hanging space or closet for your beautiful dress, but by joining the other guests during pre-boarding, airline staff are happy to help the bride to be lay the dress flat in an overhead bin so it does not get crushed.  A quick steam at the destination and your dress will be all ready for your shining moment.  And of course if you are planning a trash the dress session for the photographers by leaping into the surf or rolling in the sand, let loose, have loads of fun and no regrets!

When planning a wedding in another country, things do not always go the way the bride and groom want, and cannot always be planned for in advanced.  Some details need to wait until you arrive in the destination or resort to iron out.  The most important thing though is to enjoy every minute of what will be one of the most important days of your lives together with your family and friends at a wedding no one will ever forget.

Susan Cisorio – Certified honeymoon and destination wedding specialist
www.cruiseshipcenters.ca/SusanCisorio