If you are looking to have a wedding that is fun and relaxing for everyone involved, a destination wedding may be just the ticket. Getaways to beautiful locations have a special flavor that simply cannot be matched by a traditional wedding in your hometown. To make the most of your destination wedding, read on.
The key to having a truly great destination wedding is to get into the spirit of it. You know how when you vacation at a top notch resort on a scenic island, the staff conveys that “don’t worry, be happy” vibe? Well that is exactly the mood to aim for. In other words, even if you are normally a very detail oriented type A person, you will only be able to really enjoy your destination wedding by letting go a little (or a lot, depending on how tightly you are used to controlling things!). Don’t sweat the small stuff, and trust in the resort’s wedding coordinator to put together a beautiful event for you.
Since the location itself is part of the magic of a destination wedding, try to stay as long as possible. You will definitely want to arrive a few days in advance of your wedding so that you will have some time to unwind before the big day. Undoubtedly, you will also be glad to have a little time to go over the last minute details with the hotel staff (although remember, you are not going to sweat the small stuff!). A longer lead time will also allow you to spend some quality time with your closest family members before the rest of the guests arrive. And obviously, the longer the honeymoon, the better!
Something that will truly make your destination wedding a success is embracing the local culture. Carry a bouquet of big tropical flowers in bright colors, include seashells and faux coral in your centerpiece design, and serve fresh local fish for dinner, if it is available. Fresh tropical fruit and flowers make beautiful decorations for the wedding cake, and seem much more appropriate for a beach wedding than fussy (and costly) sugar flowers. Why not take advantage of all of the best aspects of your wedding location?
Don’t forget to embrace the relaxed island spirit for your wedding attire as well. A tea length organza wedding dress with large fabric flowers for decoration would be marvelous for a ceremony on the sand. Accent it with beach theme wedding jewelry, such as a crystal starfish pendant. Aim for a similar effect for your bridesmaids. Stick with shorter bridesmaid dresses in breezy fabrics and cheerful colors (no black!) and for their bridesmaid gifts, think about beach wedding jewelry similar to yours. Silver starfish pendants or bracelets would be fabulous souvenirs of your wedding for your friends to enjoy. Last but not least, learn about your destination before you go. Naturally you will choose a fabulous resort, but what else is there to see and do in the area? If you are being married in Playa del Carmen, schedule a trip to see the Mayan ruins, or take a sightseeing helicopter trip over Hawaii, or visit the jungle in Puerto Rico. Every place will have special and unique features worth seeing. Taking the time to really enjoy the entire location that you have chosen for your destination wedding will make the whole experience that much more memorable.
