How Do All Inclusive Destination Weddings Work
We are planning a wedding for next February and I am wondering about the intricacies of all inclusive destination weddings. How are costs worked out? Are their always photographers on site? We are planning something non-traditional and simple, no attendants, no reception, really only our parents, siblings, and a few close friends. We want something very easy, and simple, but beautiful. Does anyone have any information on how costs usually work?
It will greatly depends on location and actual resort, as each handles it differently…..in general, all-inclusive resorts have a wedding department. Often there is the most basic ceremony which may include bouquet and boutonniere, witness and officiant and paperwork…..after that, there are often more elaborate packages you can purchase with more options and extra decor and/or add-ons that can be added to the basic package….For guests, usually they have to be staying at the resort to attend, or buy a day pass to attend…if you’re having a reception, will again depend on the resort, size of group, and what comes in the basic package and whether you want to spring for the more elaborate packages…
So, if it’s just you and partner and parents and you’re looking for simple, the basic packages at many places may be enough….Again, totally depends on the property as each has their own programs.
Congrats and good luck with the planning!!
Is A Destination Wedding Less Expensive
This will depend on how you see it! A venue in the US is about $18,000.00 and the total cost is close to $25,000 per wedding. If you base yourself on the venue vs the all-inclusive wedding packages, the latter is less expensive.
However, if you consider the cost of travel, the overall cost would be higher. However, this normally includes a certain amount of vacation time not included in a regular wedding.
Secure Passports And Other Documents
A valid passport is a given for international travel, and you’ll at the very least need a driver’s license for domestic destinations. Double-check all expiration dates as soon as you choose your wedding date and location, then check again! Depending on the country, additional information, such as a list of previously visited countries, health records, or vaccinations, may be required.
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How Far In Advance Do I Need To Plan My Destination Wedding
Anything under a year would be difficult to manage not only because it would not allow your guests much time to plan ahead financially but also because popular wedding destination sites begin to book up early. For the best outcomes, try to finalize your plans anywhere from a year to a year and a half in advance.
Average Cost Of A Destination Wedding
The total cost of a destination wedding varies. Prices depend on location, the number of days, the number of events, the U.S. dollar to local currency exchange rate, the time of year, the number of guests, and more. That said, the average estimated baseline cost of a destination wedding hovers around $35,000.
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Who May Perform Marriages Abroad
American diplomatic and consular officers are NOT permitted to perform marriages. Marriages abroad are almost always performed by local civil or religious officials.
As a rule, marriages aren’t performed on the premises of an American embassy or consulate, but officers may authenticate foreign marriage documents. The validity of marriages abroad doesn’t depend on the presence of an American diplomatic or consular officer, but it does depend on compliance to the laws of the country where the marriage is performed.
Make Guests Feel Welcome
Your friends and family are eager to celebrate with you, and creating a wedding website will make it easy for them to find all the important details in one placelike group rates for flights and hotel roomshow to get to and from the airport, a list of nearby activities they can do on their own and an itinerary of the weekend’s events, like the rehearsal or welcome dinner and next-day brunch. Upon arrival, deliver welcome bags to their rooms, full of essentials for the trip, like sunscreen, water and bug spray.
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What To Know When Planning A Destination Wedding
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There’s something special about getting married in that far-flung destination where your partner proposed, against a backdrop of mountains or in the sand someplace tropical. As gorgeous as these locales are, don’t forget the legwork that goes into planning a destination wedding. After all, there’s more to take into account than the venue itself . The timing of your ceremony, the weather at the location, and guests’ availability to travel are all concerns every couple planning a destination wedding has to consider. But with a little know-how, you can plan a memorable getaway for you and your guests. Follow these tips to help you pull off a destination wedding to remember.
Destination Weddings And Outside Vendors
One common feature of having a destination wedding at an all-inclusive resort is that the resort will provide all of the vendors you need, from the florist to the DJ to the photographer. While some couples will enjoy this perk because everything is taken care of for them, other couples may not because they want the flexibility of choosing their own vendors. Many all-inclusive resorts in popular destination wedding locations either do not allow any outside vendors or they allow certain third-party vendors for an additional fee. These fees can range anywhere from $100 to hundreds of dollars, significantly affecting the overall wedding budget you have already set.
To avoid any surprises, make sure you go over the venue contract thoroughly and ask your venue representative or coordinator any questions you may have. Research the vendors that they will provide to see if they are suitable for your wedding. If you are certain that you want to bring in other vendors, you can negotiate with the venue to see if they will waive the fees ahead of time instead of being surprised with fees after the fact. If youre interested in hiring an outside photographer but the venue insists on charging an additional fee, you can work with your photographer to create a wedding day package that works with your budget and needs.
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Create A Wedding Planning Checklist
Destination weddings require a whole new layer of logistics, so its crucial to get some planning systems in place!
Our digital wedding planner here at WedSites is the perfect tool for destination wedding management. You can create a master checklist, delegate tasks and set a deadline for each one, with helpful email reminders sent straight to your inbox. Being able to see all of your upcoming tasks in a month-by-month timeline will keep you on track and ensure nothing is overlooked.
Can I Make Or Bring My Own Decorations
DIYers rejoice. Yes, most hotels will allow you to bring your own decorations. There will be set-up fees that vary according to the amount, type of decor, etc, but if you want to get crafty and make your own centerpieces or favors craft away.
Related: A Real Brides Tips: How to save money on your destination wedding
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Getting Legally Married At Home
If you read the above and got a panic attack, dont fret because you have options for making your destination wedding legal at home.
You can do what I did and skip all the paperwork, translations, notarization, and blood work, by doing the legal part the good ole fashion way in city hall or by an officiate/judge in your hometown.
All you have to do is get a marriage license at home, then go to city hall or hire an officiate who is allowed to perform legal ceremonies in your state/city/country. If you live in the United States, US Marriage Laws is a great resource to help you understand your states marriage requirements. You can also contact your city or town clerks office who will guide you in this process.
If you get legally married at home, you can then select a symbolic wedding package for your destination wedding. A symbolic wedding will look exactly like a legal wedding. The only difference is that you will sign a paper of no legal significance . As an added bonus, symbolic wedding packages are typically more affordable.
You have the option of getting legally married either beforeorafteryour destination wedding, so lets recap both options.
Destination Weddings Made Easy
Picture: Couple enjoying wedding day at Sandals Ochi.
Planning a destination wedding can be challenging, but these helpful steps may help you stay on top of things, ahead of your wedding event. Planning an all-inclusive resort wedding at Sandals? Let our professional wedding planners help you and call 1-877-263257.
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When Should We Send Our Save
If youre going to ask guests to book flights for your wedding, make sure to give them ample time to make travel plans. Instead of the four-month lead time for a local wedding, youll want to send destination save-the-dates at least six months in advanceand should have all the travel details outlined on your wedding website before you send invitations at the 12-week mark.
Determine Your Budgets And Expected Costs
Its important to look at your budget to decide how to plan a destination wedding, while also knowing how much you expect your guests to spend per night. Most all-inclusive room rates are based on 2 person occupancies, and although food and drinks are covered, its good to know how much your guests are able to afford in order to attend your destination wedding. Use the Cost Calculator to get a real-world estimate for how much your wedding could cost, and compare that with the second guide to see just how affordable destination wedding planning truly can be.
1. Use this destination wedding cost calculator to get a real-time estimate for your wedding.
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How To Pick A Resort For A Destination Wedding
Picking the best resort can be a little overwhelming. There are so many options available that at one point they tend to all look the same and all blend together.
Here are our top tips to help you narrow down the resort:
Type: Adults-only or Family oriented. Are you planning on inviting children or not?
Size: Large resort with a ton of restaurant and activity or a smaller more intimate location with a more limited offer. Does it have elevators and/or a shuttle service across the resort.
Cost: I know cost comes back a lot! However, it is important to know which resort will fit your guests budget. Setting an average or maximum price will help narrow down the list.
Distance from the airport: How long will it take to get to and from the resort.
Wedding venue: Does it have the type of venues you have imagined for your wedding?
The number of ceremonies. How many weddings per day are performed at the resort? Does this even matter to you?
Backup location. No one ever wants to think about that! However, if it comes down to 2 resorts, it could be the tie-breaker.
How To Plan Your Perfect Destination Wedding
Destination weddings are an incredible way to tie the knot. Theres something pretty special about sharing the holiday of a lifetime with your favourite group of people while also celebrating your nuptials.
With this in mind, the thought of planning a wedding in a foreign location can be more than a little daunting! From paperwork to timelines and travel logistics, a destination wedding requires some careful consideration.
No idea where to begin? Read on as we share a step-by-step guide to planning the perfect destination wedding, including a few key ways you can make the process much easier for you and your guests.
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What Is A Destination Wedding & Why Are They So Damn Popular
To answer this question in a nutshell, a destination wedding is a wedding held away from your hometown but there is more to it than that and we will dive into it more below! And guess what, it doesnt have to be in a foreign country or even on a beach. Millenials are changing the game when it comes to wedding trends and what they want for their #BestDayEver. More and more couples are choosing locations that are special to them.
Its June. There is so much hype around weddings this month. For those of you who do not know, June is, and has been, the most popular month to get married for some time.
So, what about weddings, how are people getting married? Times have changed and even though most brides cant seem to buck tradition, destination weddings are the new trend. Many people think destination weddings are only in warm and tropical luxurious locations but that is just one of the many different destination weddings you can have.
For instance, I just got back from Jamaica where I helped coordinate a beautiful destination wedding at the new Royalton Blue Waters in Montego Bay. The bride was beautiful, and the sand and water made for a perfect backdrop. This made me wonder, why everyone wouldnt want to get married this way? The scene was set. This destination wedding had great music, beautiful flowers, and tons of happy friends and family toasting at sunset.
How Do I Get A Destination Wedding Marriage License
Whether domestic or international, every location will have its own regulations. If you are planning for your destination wedding ceremony to take care of the legal aspects of your marriage, always be sure to check with your destination wedding coordinator well in advance to learn what steps will be required.
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The Guests Guide To Destination Weddings
Ah, destination weddings: The joining of two lives for the couple, a vacation for everyone else. Sounds simple enough, right? Well, it turns out, the rules for being a wedding guest change a bit when youre going out of the country, or even just out of town. The costs and sacrifices of traveling for a celebration raises questions like, Do I still need to get them a gift? to I cant afford the hotel, what do I do? So we asked wedding planner Xochitl Gonzalez of AaB Creates in New Yorkwho has planned and attended dozens of destination weddings in her dayto answer some of our destination wedding guest FAQs.
Can I ask to bring a plus one if I wasn’t given one, since it’s so far away and I dont know anyone?Nope. You were invited to something, which makes you a guest. While I understand you might not want to travel alone, you arent in the position to dictate to the couple who gets to be a part of their special day.
What should I expect the couple to pay for?Generally speaking, a couple will host a welcome reception of some kind . And then, of course, the reception itself. Beyond that, its going to vary couple to couple and budget to budget.
You might also want to consider that you wont be a part of any spontaneous gatherings that happen at the hotel. One of the most fun parts of a destination wedding is the unexpected connections that happen between guests spur of the moment.
