5 Important Tips When Choosing The Destination For Your Wedding

Picking Your Destination Wedding Location

There are a number of things to consider when choosing the right destination for your wedding. Firstly, there is the weather. For example, ensure the time of year and the climate of the destination during that period. When planning a wedding in the Caribbean, you certainly would not want to have it during their hurricane or rainy season! The time of year you decide your destination wedding also reflects on the price. Should you decide during ‘high season’, you will have to expect to pay a little more than their ‘low season.’ The availability of flights into the destination is something else to consider. If you have guests that will be arriving from across the country, choose a destination where a large number of flights are available for your guests and it’s not too difficult to get to. And finally, the distance one will have to travel to attend the wedding. Try to avoid overly long flights.

Check Out Affordability

The cost of hosting a home-town wedding can sometimes be overwhelming when you consider the cost for the venue, the reception, the meal, the flowers, the DJ and on, and on. A destination wedding can be significantly cheaper for many reasons. Usually the guest list is much smaller as its usually family and close friends that attend and you do not feel obligated to invite your co-workers or business contacts, etc. as you would to a locally held wedding.

Unfortunately for most of us, there may be a limit on how much you can afford to spend for your destination wedding as well as your guests. If the cost-factor does affect you, talk to your Ensemble Destination Wedding Specialist, who would be happy to suggest a wide range of prices for a number of resort options in your destination choice.

What Are The Marriage Requirements In Your Chosen Destination?

Make sure to fully check the wedding laws with regard to marrying in the destination. Find out early what the rules and regulations apply to avoid any unnecessary conflicts when you arrive. In order for the marriage ceremony to be legally binding, some destinations may have certain requirements. For example, do you have to be in the destination for a minimum number of nights or require residency before a marriage can take place? Or how long does it take to get the marriage license? In some destinations, you may be required to arrive early to get the license processed. What legal documents do you need to bring? For those getting married for a second time, a copy of the divorce papers is required in destination.

Does the Resort Have An On-Site Wedding Co-ordinator?

When choosing the resort for your destination wedding, look for one that has an on-site wedding co-ordinator. While your Ensemble Destination Wedding Specialist has the experience, a passion for planning your wedding away and will always be available for you during the pre-planning process, an on-site wedding co-ordinator can look after all the details while you are at the resort. You will find that most resorts will include the services of their co-ordinator at no additional cost and it is included as part of your package, so be sure to take advantage of this service. Once you arrive at the resort, we recommend you meet the resort’s wedding co-ordinator as soon as possible and ensure everything is going as you planned.

Always Ask For An Upgrade!

Resorts are most welcoming when it comes to hosting destination weddings, especially when it comes to group weddings – small or large. Ask your Ensemble Destination Wedding Specialist how they can help in getting some added value. Some resorts will include some little extras for the bride and groom at no additional like an automatic upgrade or a free room (depending on the minimum number of rooms booked), a ‘breakfast in bed’ or a ‘romantic candlelight dinner on the beach’ or maybe a couples massage. Each resort has different offers, so be sure to ask!