BY CLAY LARROY
Across the America many couples are having
wonderful wedding after months of planning. The bride and groom will need a
honeymoon to rest and recuperate. Vacations
are so important, as it gives us a way to connect with each other in a stress
free relaxed environment. Couples that take vacations together build memories
that will last a lifetime. Couples vacations and travel can be a most rewarding
experience. When you want to plan a vacation contact me!
An
increasing number of couples are choosing destination weddings over traditional
‘white gown and rehearsal dinner’ weddings. Destination weddings provide a fun
opportunity to reunite family and friends in a truly amazing setting or to
celebrate a private ceremony in an unforgettable locale. With destination
weddings representing approximately ten percent of all weddings, it is easier
to find more cruise lines and resorts offering robust and attractively priced
packages especially designed for wedding parties.
But
destination weddings take considerable planning, and the best accommodations
are not always available to last minute shoppers. The earlier you begin to plan
your wedding, and the more experienced and professional assistance you have,
the greater your chances of pulling off a hassle-free, exotic wedding. Use this
guide as an introduction to destination weddings that you can take to your
travel agent to begin planning your own personal idea of perfection. A
professional travel consultant skilled in the details of destination weddings
is invaluable. Using your travel consultant as a contact point provides you
with a ‘one stop shopping’ opportunity. A travel consultant can ensure that you
are presented with a range of destinations and options, as well as assemble a
travel package for the wedding party that is the best possible value. An
experienced travel consultant can also provide you with wedding planners local to
your chosen destination to handle the logistics of the ceremony and reception,
however minimalist or involved.
The
most important decision in planning a destination wedding is the location. Some
couples choose a destination that they have already vacationed or visited,
while other couples choose somewhere new - hoping to create brand new memories
they will always relate to their wedding day. Many have had a dream setting in
mind since their engagement. Some of the most popular destinations are the
beaches of the Caribbean, Hawaii and Mexico, while others prefer historic
settings or national parks. Extreme activity and sports-themed weddings are
also considered destination weddings, and couples can take their vows while
skydiving or scuba diving, or the ceremony can take place at a very
non-traditional venue like a NASCAR race. For those who want to travel to
Europe, consider England, which boasts the shortest flight to Europe and
romantic settings like manor houses or castles, while Italy is known for scenic
villa and winery weddings. Couples with a more limited budget may enjoy
destinations like Las Vegas or Florida, which are popular for all-inclusive
weddings. A higher budget will afford an exotic wedding in Fiji or Australia.
Travel
dates and trip length are major factors in choosing a location. Will you and
your guests want to fly, drive or take a train? Traveling out of the country
will require more time as well as passports or other documentation for couples
and guests. Some will choose to have their wedding at a closer location, and
then splurge on a dream honeymoon once guests head back home. Before you are
set on anything, though, check with your travel professional, as some hotel or
resort packages include a free honeymoon if the couple commits to a certain
number of rooms or guests for the wedding.
The
couple planning a destination wedding must also take weather and season into
consideration. Beach weddings can be spectacular, but weather conditions change
quickly and can be uncertain. Couples wishing to marry in the Caribbean have
hurricane season to consider and may opt for an island like Aruba, which is out
of the hurricane belt during the fall months. Finally, planning your ceremony
during a destination’s peak travel season can mean crowded resorts and perhaps
a less intimate backdrop for the ceremony. Given your special itinerary, your
travel consultant can make recommendations or help you narrow down your
destination wish-list.
Destination
weddings can range from amazingly inexpensive, and far less than a traditional
wedding, to very costly. Once you have an idea of where you would like to be
married, analyze your budget. Carefully assess the costs of travel,
accommodations, activities and meals. Decide how many guests you can truly
afford at the wedding and whether or not you will pay for any part of their
travel. If you are hoping for a crowd of guests and/or expect them to pay for
any expenses, planning early and sending travel information well in advance is
a must!
If
cost is an important factor, your travel agent can offer a variety of options
in any destination. It is possible and often very desirable to take a
minimalist, stress-free approach to your destination wedding. In many
instances, all you’ll need are a justice of the peace or similar official, a
wedding license, and a romantic spot. Don’t let price be the ultimate
determinant of your dream ceremony. Be creative.
At
home or in an exotic locale, the guest list can pose problems. Many couples
choose to elope and skip invitations. They simply send an announcement when
they return home and maybe throw a fun party so everyone can still get together
and celebrate. Other couples find that destination weddings give them the
option to invite only a few close friends or family members, so they are forced
to reduce their guest list a very manageable number of special invitees. And
still others will send invitations out to a larger number, placing the decision
solely in guests’ hands (and perhaps their wallets) to attend the wedding. Keep
in mind that some resorts only allow guests over age 16 or 18, so an adult-only
location may not work for guests with families.
Who
can you expect to attend a faraway wedding? Sometimes the RSVP’s are quite
surprising. Many who are invited actually attend in order to combine their own
vacation with the couple’s special day. Conversely, some may not have the
financial means or the ability to take off work to travel. Most hotels will
offer special room rates to couples and their guests or a certain number of
rooms may be part of the wedding package itself.
Give
some forethought to how long guests will stay at the wedding site. Couples can
travel alone and have guests arrive a day or two later, or everyone can travel
together as a group. If guests arrive a few days before the wedding, fun
options are arranging a group tour or sightseeing in smaller groups, if you
have a lot of people, or guests with different interests. You may also plan
nothing at all, and allow guests some quiet vacation time of their own before
the wedding; in this case, consider sending along a destination guide (often
available free from your travel agent) so they can choose their own itinerary.
REFERENCE SITES:
“Life is beautiful if you are on the road to
somewhere”
― Orhan Pamuk
― Orhan Pamuk
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