When it comes to planning a wedding that brings together loved ones from far-flung corners of the globe, selecting the right location can be a daunting task. For Jack and me, it was a puzzle we relished solving. As we embarked on this new chapter in our lives, we had to consider factors like distance, logistics, and personal preferences. Given my roots in the Pacific Northwest, years spent traveling the world, working abroad in France, and making NYC my home, I brought a unique perspective to the decision-making process. Jack, meanwhile, hails from the South, with family scattered across the country, and his own travel experiences and friendships in New York have shaped his worldview. As we’re both adventurous spirits, it’s no surprise that our wedding planning journey was filled with excitement and compromise. In the end, it took a ten-step process to land on the perfect destination – one that would bring joy to our guests and create unforgettable memories for us.
Eliminate Where You Don’t Want To Get Married
As a destination wedding photographer myself, my partner and I knew that getting married wouldn’t mean ‘heading home’. We’re world travelers who hail from opposite sides of the country, which made it difficult to choose one location over another without favouring one side of our family over the other. The unpredictable weather in Washington also didn’t appeal to us, nor did Texas feel like the perfect fit for our special day. To avoid having to make tough decisions about guest accommodations, we decided to eliminate all locations that were tied to specific regions – the Pacific Northwest, the South, New York City and Paris.
Determine Your Ideal Guest Count
When it comes to planning a destination wedding, having a clear understanding of how many guests you’ll be inviting can make all the difference. A larger guest list may require more extensive venue options, such as a hotel with ample space or even an outdoor marquee setup. On the other hand, if you’re envisioning an intimate celebration, you may have more flexibility in terms of location and budget. For Jack and me, determining our ideal guest count was crucial in deciding where to tie the knot within our means.
Ballpark Your Budget
The search for the perfect wedding location often begins with a clear understanding of one’s budget. Knowing how much you can spend is crucial in narrowing down options, especially when working within a tight budget. A destination wedding to the Maldives may be out of reach for those on a limited budget, but a road trip to scenic sea cliffs in Maine could be a more feasible option. On the other hand, having an unlimited budget opens up the world as your playground! With my background in the wedding industry and resourcefulness, I considered our budget reasonable and aimed to keep costs below the national average. In my experience, intimate weddings with small guest counts are often more affordable when held outside of the USA. We explored countries like Mexico, Spain, Italy, Greece, Croatia, Morocco, and Vietnam as potential destinations for a ‘destination’ wedding in California, where only a few guests reside.
Grab Your Globe – Where Will Your Guests Travel From?
When planning your destination wedding, one concern is ensuring that all your loved ones can attend without breaking the bank or facing lengthy travel times. A great starting point is to identify destinations that are equidistant from most of your guests. While it’s unlikely you’ll find a spot that’s exactly equal in distance for everyone, there may be options that make traveling easier for the majority of your attendees.It’s essential to consider that just because a destination is geographically closer doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the quickest or most affordable option. For instance, I’ve found that traveling from New York to weddings within the USA can take longer and cost more than a trip to France.To gauge the ease of travel for your guests, utilize tools like Rome2Rio, which provides information on various routes and modes of transportation. This will help you determine the best options for your guests, considering factors such as flight duration, layovers, and costs.In my case, having a destination in Europe would be just as accessible for our predominantly New Yorker guest list, along with a few French attendees, as heading to the West Coast. However, family members living in the Northwest might face longer travel times and higher expenses for flights.When considering alternative destinations, keep in mind that layovers can significantly impact travel time and costs. For example, traveling from New York to the Baja region could take up to ten hours, while Mexico seemed like a more reasonable option price-wise for many in the States. However, our European crowd might not find it feasible, whereas Vietnam was deemed too far, and flights to Morocco from outside of New York City were considered a significant ask.
Narrow Your Favorites As A Team
As a free-spirited individual who thrives on adaptability, I found myself in stark contrast to my partner Jack, who approaches life with unwavering decisiveness. When it came time to choose our wedding venues, I was eager to share my extensive research with him – from meticulously curated maps highlighting the best spots to stunning visuals showcasing what each location had to offer. Jack, however, remained steadfast in his preferences, refusing to budge on even a single option. Undeterred by this initial setback, I returned to the drawing board, armed with newfound insight into our shared desires: namely, the pursuit of luxurious accommodations for our special day. With many of our initial venue choices boasting rustic charm, Jack’s desire for something more opulent created an unexpected compromise – one that I was more than happy to navigate.
Which Destinations Offer A Variety Of Accommodation Options?
As you plan your wedding, consider the accommodation options for your guests. I’m not talking about luxury suites or garden views; I’m thinking about convenient, affordable rooms at your venue, as well as nearby Airbnb’s and hotels that cater to different budgets. Your special day should reflect your unique story and preferences as a couple, but it’s also an invitation – no one is obligated to attend! However, if you want to make your wedding more accessible to friends and loved ones who may be on a tighter budget, choose a destination that offers a range of accommodation options. I’ve had the pleasure of attending several weddings where the only option was a pricey hotel room with a minimum stay requirement, forcing me to look elsewhere for lodging. This got me thinking – are couples considering their guests’ financial struggles when planning their big day? We definitely thought about this when planning our own wedding. If we were getting married in rural Italy, we wanted a venue or Airbnb that could accommodate most of our guests at an affordable rate. Alternatively, we would have opted for a town near plenty of budget-friendly accommodation options, like beach towns in Mexico.
What Activities Does Your Destination Offer?
When planning a destination wedding, it’s essential to consider your guests’ diverse interests and preferences. Instead of opting for a secluded location, choose a spot with plenty of activities to cater to various vacation styles. This could be a tropical paradise with beach access, jungle adventures, or a European retreat rich in culture and wine. Whatever your choice, ensure that there’s something for everyone to enjoy after the ceremony. For us, this meant selecting central locations that offered a mix of leisure activities to suit different travelers. As an added bonus, our guests from New York appreciated having more options beyond the charming village of Blato, which, although lovely, might have been too laid-back for some.
Call Venues, Read Reviews, Stalk On Social Media
As you delve into the vast expanse of the Internet, it’s time to gather valuable insights from various online sources. Start by scouring through reviews on wedding forums, Google, travel review sites, and Facebook, where past couples share their experiences (keep in mind that happy customers often don’t leave reviews, but those who have had negative experiences tend to be vocal). Reach out to your preferred venues to request brochures, schedule virtual tours via Facetime, and inquire about pricing information. Furthermore, utilize Google Image Search to see if the venue appears on any blogs, offering a wealth of real wedding inspiration. Another effective method for discovering an abundance of photos is searching location tags and hashtags on Instagram.