DESTINATION WEDDING TIPS 101
Questions for your destination wedding answered.
You, standing on a beach, feeling the grains of fine whites and between your bare toes as the warm glow of a perfect
sunset tints your gown and throws a halo around you and your husband. Or perhaps, dewy grass tickles your ankles
as you take your vows against a backdrop of undulating hills and endless meadows stretching to a blue, cloudless sky.
These are the breathtaking images we imagine when thinking of destination weddings, but how to get there?
It takes more than an air ticket and a passport this time. No doubt, many couples are daunted by the thought of
organizing such an important event in an unfamiliar place where they may be hampered by language differences,
and certainly lack of local knowledge.
We’re not saying it will be easy, and some compromises may have to be made, but hey, it’s once in a lifetime, no?
Wedding and Travel makes it a little easier by giving you the answers to some of the common questions about
destination weddings.
How much longer will it take to organize?
It won’t be easy and stress-free, but it need not take any longer than the six to nine months it usually takes to
organize a wedding at home. You need to be more organised and decisive, as you will
have limited time on site to make decisions, and there is less room for errors such as leaving something essential
at home.
But you may find that having a limited window to make decisions means you make them faster. If you have only
one weekend at your destination to decide on everything, you focus on getting things done. You may also want to get
as much help as you can by having a co-ordinator on site
Do you know someone who lives where you will be holding your wedding? Getting their help early may be a good
idea. For example, you can store things at their houses ahead of time.
Many resorts and hotels at popular wedding destinations have packages and services that are catered for wedding
couples. Hiring a wedding planner who is familiar with the destination can make it even simpler.
Will it cost a lot more?
There are travel expenses to consider, but depending on where you go, costs for the reception and venue may be
lower than at home. It also depends on how many guests you are inviting, but
you can make the wedding and destination fit into your budget instead of the other way round.
Wedding Acts wedding planner Jonathan Goh, 38, who has planned weddings in Bali, Phuket and the Maldives
says that he has worked with vastly different budgets.
Think about you and your spouse’s interests and how the
location suits your personalities.
But be wary if you have not visited the venue yourself,
images from brochures are always taken at the best angles
and in flattering lighting. Make sure to know what you are
getting into before booking a venue.
When should I go?
Be sure to find out the temperature and weather conditions
at your destination before you set the date. Even if your
location is tropical, monsoon rains or blistering weather will
be a dampener on you and your guests.
The dry season in Bali is from May to October, but it is
driest in July and August, and the months of June to
September have a slightly lower temperature than the rest
of the year.
In Phuket, another popular destination, the weather is best
from November to March, but it is also the peak tourist
season when venues are crowded and prices high. If you
are watching your budget, it may be better to go in the
off-peak season.
What kind of gown should I get?
If the wedding is outdoors, some practical considerations
are in order. Will there be sand, grass or stones? If so,
goodbye to that long train; you definitely do not want something that will sweep the ground and pick up stains on the
way. “We have worked with a budget of $40,000 for 30 guests with couples paying two nights of the guests’
accommodation, to a budget of close to $300,000 for a three-day wedding celebration, inclusive of a golf
tournament, a birthday party, a welcome party and free flow booze for each party, 10 minutes of fireworks, of our
National Day standard, with Laura Fygi as their wedding singer for 120 guests.” Just remember to include items on
your budget that may not figure on traditional wedding
This may not be a bad thing, as it means that the people sharing your
big day will be people who really want to be there. Be prepared to
face salvos from friends and relatives who feel snubbed, but you
can smooth feathers by having a wedding party at home after you
come back from your honeymoon.
On the other hand, people you truly wanted to be there may not be
able to make it due to other commitments, which is why you should
always send out a “save-thedate” card at least five months before
so guests can clear their calendars, or plan their leave. To make things
really special, find a creative way to send them a “save-the-date” card
that suits the destination. A beach wedding card can be a “message
in a bottle”, a wedding in a city can come printed with a map of the city,
or send them postcards from the destination so that the cards will come
with postmarks from the wedding location. If you can, provide them with
the contact of a travel agent who knows the details of your wedding &
can help them with the travel arrangements with no extra fuss. If you
have guests from many different countries, it will help to have a wedding
website with all the details of your wedding for them to refer to.
Should I hire vendors from here or there?
It really depends on your budget and needs. Thorough research is essential if you’re hiring them from overseas,
and asking for a portfolio, as well as references from others who had a similar event is useful.
Should I subsidise my guests’ travel expenses?
Vanisha Mittal, daughter of India’s steel magnate, put all her guests up at a five-star hotel when she had her
wedding in France. But unless you’re Mittal’s other daughter, this will put a rather large dent in your pocket. So no,
there is noobligation to pay for your guests outside of events related to your the wedding celebration, unless they have a very
special place in your heart.
It will be a nice gesture though to offer them perks such as providing a welcome dinner, or arranging for some
activities before the wedding. Jonathan Goh from Weddings Acts provides these practical tips: