HOW TO SELECT A LOCATION FOR YOUR DESTINATION WEDDING

WHEN SELECTING YOUR DESTINATION WEDDING SPOT, MAKE SURE TO CONSIDER THESE 5 THINGS:

WEDDING PRIORITIES

A destination wedding is absolutely worth it, but you may have to prioritize a bit. Do you care most about the location or who is by your side on your wedding day. (There truly is no wrong answer here—there are plenty of ways to include loved ones in other ways or when you return if they’re unable to attend the ceremony itself.) But maybe you’ve dreamt of trying the knot on the Amalfi Coast or saying, “I do” at a French châteaux. You can probably expect to get a few no’s to your overseas destination wedding, and that’s ok! You’ll have an adventurous and exceptional wedding experience, and you can celebrate with loved ones when you return.

On the other hand, if you want to have all of your nearest and dearest by your side, you could host your destination wedding at a luxurious and exclusive venue here in the states.

Here are a few luxurious destination wedding venues in the U.S. to get you started:

o Deering Estate, Miami, FL

o Bella Collina, Montverde/Orlando, FL

o Auberge du Soleil, Rutherford, CA (Napa Valley)

o SeaWinds Estate, Brandon, OR (cliffside estate overlooking Oregon Coast)

o 620 Loft & Garden Rockefeller Center, NYC, New York (view more luxury NYC venues here.)

o Garden of the Gods Resort & Club, Colorado Springs, CO

o L’Auberge de Sedona, Sedona, AZ

o JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa, Las Vegas, NV

o The Government Peak Chalet, Palmer, Alaska

o Holualoa Inn & Estate, Holualoa, Hawaii

o Cunningham Farm Barns & Estate Venue, New Gloucester, ME

Whether near or far, your destination wedding will be unforgettable either way.

*Note: If having certain guests there with you is important on your big day, consider polling your crew for dates and try to select the best date that works for all of you.

WEDDING AESTHETIC OR THEME

Many couples opt for a destination wedding because they want a certain ambiance for the big day. You most likely wouldn’t choose to have your destination wedding on the breathtaking Oregon Coast but then hold all of your wedding events in the city at a hotel you could find locally. Instead, you probably want an adventurous or extraordinary experience you can’t get anywhere else. Select the location based on the backdrop you want for your big day. The built-in aesthetic sets the scene for the entire experience.

SOME COMMON DESTINATION WEDDING AESTHETICS, NATURAL BACKDROPS, AND THEMES INCLUDE:

o Nautical or beach wedding (Florida, California, Hawaii, The Hamptons, Cape Cod, Outer Banks, Mediterranean or Caribbean locations)

o Mountain or striking landscape wedding (Arizona, Oregon, Colorado, Lake Tahoe, Nevada, Wyoming)

o Exotic weddings (Cabo, Bahamas, Riviera Maya, South Africa, Mazatlán, Costa Rica, etc.)

o Rustic or vineyard wedding (Napa Valley, Finger Lakes, Spain, Italy, France)

o International weddings (Greece, Ireland, Norway, France, Italy, etc.)

DESTINATION WEDDING EXPERIENCE

If you’re all about the full experience, consider choosing your destination wedding location based on the kinds of activities, amenities, and excursions available. What overall experience do you hope to have? Here are a few motivations that might inspire your destination wedding location. What category do you lean toward (or maybe you’re a blend)?:

o The Honeymooners—Looking for a romantic, quiet and intimate getaway.

o The Globetrotters—Desiring an exciting & adventurous experience.

o The Luxe Lovers—Wanting a lavish & exotic celebration.

o The Easygoers—Looking to get lost in the local charm or pastoral countryside.

o The History Buffs—Wanting a historic & cultural experience.

o The Thrill Seekers—Hoping to try something new as you embark on a new life together.

NUMBER OF GUESTS

Once you’ve settled on a destination wedding location, you may want to send a save the date at least a year in advance and have guests RSVP earlier than you would for a local wedding. You know your group best. The percentage of how many guests will attend your wedding varies greatly. If your friends and family know about the destination wedding in advance and everyone is on board—you’ve prepared and chosen a date that works for most—you may have almost all of your guests attend.

However, if you spontaneously send out an invitation three months prior to your wedding in France, you probably won’t have many in attendance since they haven’t planned for the trip. Remember, they’ll need updated passports, too!

However, knowing your approximate guest count early will help you select the best venue for your destination wedding.

*Note: In addition to your advance save the date, destination wedding invitations should go out at least three months in advance to accommodate your guests travel, work, and financial plans. It’s also helpful and courteous to provide them with an event itinerary and lodging information.

TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS

As a luxury destination wedding planner, I’m more than happy to help you navigate travel restrictions, especially with COVID still causing a few interruptions. Most international travel is open; however, some countries have different testing procedures and policies. Some destinations ask travelers to apply or have a negative PCR test prior to arrival (which requires planning since so many testing sites are delayed at the moment.) Although less common, some countries require a small fee to submit applications and COVID info.

Travel information is constantly in flux, even without the pandemic, so it’s helpful to have a destination wedding planning team to help coordinate and ensure every detail is accounted for so you have a stress-free and flawless wedding experience. Plus, if you’re prepared and in the know, you can help your guests prepare for travel as well!