Always dreamt of hosting your wedding in a beautiful location? Whether it’s the mountains, city, or a stunning lake, destination weddings are perfect for couples wanting to seek a unique and unforgettable experience. But, planning a destination wedding can prove to be challenging due to the extra details required to ensure your day goes to plan. In this guide, we will take you through the process every step of the way so that you can create a magical celebration with memories to last forever.

Choose your Favourite Location

Deciding on your location is the first step when planning a destination wedding. Consider your personal preferences, along with the needs of your guests to ensure the destination is easily accessible by your loved ones. 

Work out your Budget

It is well-known that destination weddings can be expensive. It is important to decide on a realistic budget with your partner and identify the key cost components. 

Start the Planning Process

To have a successful destination, thorough planning and coordination is required. Once you have decided on a wedding date, consider working with a wedding planner to help execute your dreams. Many venues, such as VR Weddings, have specific wedding planners to assist you to make your wedding planning a dream. At this stage of the process, it is also important to keep your guests informed so that they are aware that the wedding will not be held locally.

Select a Venue

The venue is the most important part of a destination wedding. Consider the aspects of the venue that you find the most important. Once you have narrowed them down, travel to the location to conduct site visits to ensure it’s what you are looking for. 

Hire your Vendors

Vendors are key to a successful wedding. Ensure that you have decided on the catering and food that you would like to be served, along with the photographer and/or videographer that you would like to go with. Explore the selection of local florists to create a beautiful atmosphere for your special day.

Sort Travel and Accommodation Arrangements

Once you have decided on your location and venue, it’s time to book flights and accommodation. Consider working with a travel agent to secure cheap flights for you and your party. It’s also important to consider venues that may have accommodation included for the ease of your guests, such as VR Weddings in Auckland, Rotorua and Hanmer Springs. If you want to go the extra mile, create a detailed travel itinerary for your guests to ease their planning stress.

Research the Culture

It is important to research and understand the culture of your destination. They may have local traditions to look into before your big day to avoid cultural insensitivity. If you are going to a country that does not speak your language, it is worthwhile to learn basic phrases so that you can interact easily with locals.

Legalities

Different countries may have different rules surrounding the process of obtaining a marriage license. Research the local laws in your country to ensure you don’t run into any hiccups on the day.

Contingency Plan

It is important to come up with an alternative plan if your venue is weather dependent. Work with your wedding planner or venue to ensure you have an alternative in case you experience adverse weather on your big day. It is also recommended to ensure you have organised travel insurance for you and your party.

Your Special Day

Your big day is here and all your planning has come to fruition! It’s time to relax and enjoy your day with your nearest and dearest.

The Bottom Line

Planning a destination wedding can be a cause for great stress, however it is extremely rewarding. With the help of our list, your dream destination wedding can be easily achieved. You will create memories for you and your guests to last a lifetime, and your guests will cherish the chance to spend the special day with you. Best of luck on going through this unforgettable journey!