Getting married is stressful at the best of times but when you choose to marry abroad you have to allow for a few more hurdles. Remember you will not be at hand to deal with any problems that may arise and will need to think a little more a head to enable yourself to have as smooth a process as you can.
Obviously picking the right location is key. Make sure you look into all the ways to travel to and from the location as well as the hotel, restaurant hire car amenities of the location as well. You have to plan not just for yourselves but also for your guests. As you are choosing such a wonderful country to get married in a lot of the guest will use your wedding as a reason to plan a holiday. You will need to give them as much information as possible otherwise you will leave yourself open to a lot of questions and needed advice at a time when you already have vast amount on your plate. This is why I believe a road trip to where you choose is vital even if this is the only trip you take before the wedding. Hire a car and investigate the area. Check out all the hotels and make sure you meet the managers so you can do a deal with them on rates. The majority of hotels will be prepared to do this for you if you are sending them a large amount of guests. Make sure you look at all the different types of rooms available; you need to see them with your own eyes and not take the hotels word for it. Choose you preferred selection of hotels and let your guests know what amenities the hotel has, room rates and also location (close to town, on a beach, on a main road etc). Although hotels generally have websites, we all know the photos have a tendency to be a lot more forgiving than the reality. Letting people know what there is to see and do is also good. It allows them to plan their time in the area and leaves you then with the peace and mind that your guests are entertained, without you having to juggle last minute planning with running around after them.
Sourcing logistics for them is also very important; what airlines fly to that destination, ferry options, hydrofoils etc; all of this needs to be researched. Which car hire company has the best deals and the best vehicles. I actually sent my invites out six months in advance with all the relevant information in it so my guests could get themselves organised in good time. Another important tip is to make sure all your guests inform you of where they are staying and the dates they will be there; this can be done on your RSVP card.
The other obvious reason for going to your location is so you can meet all your suppliers. Arrange food tastings, flower trials, see your venues in person, meet the officiate of your wedding ceremony. Even if you are using a travel company who have a wedding planning service, it really is advisable to check everything out for yourself. Normally these services will have a local working with them on the ground, insist on meeting them. They are after all taking a large role in your big day; you should make sure they are on the same wavelength as you.
I know that nowadays we are all busy with our work life and we don’t have that much spare time to do all this but if there is one thing worth making the time for it is the research trip to your destination wedding. In the long run it will save so much stress and allow you to have an amazing wedding experience.
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