Planning the Fairytale

What to keep in mind when planning a destination wedding.

By Tara Mandy and Meredith Levy
Editors of BFFBridal.com

Plans for a destination wedding usually begin with a mental snapshot of a fairytale setting. You picture yourself exchanging vows barefoot in the sand or toasting your nuptials in the middle of a Tuscan vineyard. But the truth is, it requires a lot of planning and fool proofing for the fairytale to come true. A few things to keep in mind...

• APPOINT AN ON-SITE COORDINATOR. Most hotels and resorts have someone on staff to oversee weddings. But if you are hosting your ceremony or reception at a different type of venue, you will need a coordinator who is in the same time zone (and speaks the same language) as the local vendors. This person can also save headaches by helping you understand local business practices, gratuity expectations, etc. DIYers should resist the temptation to do it alone.
• DON'T EXPECT THE SAME LEVEL OF SERVICE FROM YOUR VENDORS. A blow-out or updo from a local stylist in Cabo San Lucas will not have the same sophistication as what you're used to in the city. Local florists may not understand the concept of a "clean, tight arrangement" and caterers probably have a different definition of "gourmet." You will save yourself a lot of aggravation if you relax your standards and welcome the compromises of getting married someplace exotic. It's also helpful to send detailed pictures and digital inspiration boards to convey your vision.
• UNDERSTAND LOCAL LAWS, FEES AND REGULATIONS. You obviously want to be sure your marriage will "count," but also investigate things such as cancellation policies, noise restrictions, local taxes and fine-print fees. These things may not present themselves, and it's worth the time to seek them out in advance.
• MAKE THINGS EASY FOR YOUR GUESTS. Hold the wedding in a location that's reachable by direct flights from major cities. Include as much information as possible about the wedding in one, convenient place: on your website or in an invitation booklet. Arrange for airport transportation as well as transportation between events. Make sure you guests will be fed (or have access to food) on arrival, and that the hotel has a pressing service for wrinkled clothes. Don't give favors or welcome bag gifts that will be difficult to carry home on a plane. The more you can do to ease their travel stresses, the less your guests will grumble among themselves about the hassle of the trip.
• Finally, keep things relaxed. The more formal the wedding, the more difficult it is to hide the slip-ups and shortcomings that often accompany event planning across the miles.

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