The Key to Finding the Perfect Wedding Destination
Everyone (read: bride) wants the perfect wedding. Everything, from the venue to the clothes to the seating arrangements, has to be flawless. Sometimes, mishaps happen, and some weddings turn out to be utter disasters, but don’t go thinking about that. First thing you have to do (after settling your guest list and figuring out your budget) is getting the perfect location. Usually, if the wedding location is what you want, all else falls into place. Even if all else fails, your location will be as you wanted it. Destination weddings are a splendid way to get your dream wedding come to life, and locations abroad offer many options, from beaches to castles to country sides. All these options are there, waiting for you to choose the one you want. Frankly, that could be overwhelming. So, how do you pick the perfect destination wedding venue?
What to Look for in the Perfect Wedding Destination
Of course, this requires a bit of research (okay, maybe a lot of research), but since it is for a good cause (and is fun!), ‘research’ shouldn’t put you off. When picking out the best wedding destination for you, you need to look at a couple of things, such as:
The Cost – really, it all boils down to the money. When picking your dream venue, compare price ranges and look at your budget. If you feel you can go higher, go for it.
The Venue – what venue do you want for your wedding? A barn? A museum? An art gallery? A hotel? You can even go for an outdoor wedding under a marquee, which you can decorate as you want. Nothing is so out of the ordinary these days when it comes to wedding venues: anything goes, as long as it is what you envision (with taste, of course).
The Guests – consider your guests when you look at venues. Is that venue easy for them to get to? Will there be any hassle with flying there? Since a destination wedding usually requires travelling there, the guests will need to bunk down for a day or two before and after the wedding, so the venue should have some accommodation nearby. The venue should also be of an appropriate size: it should be able to hold 20 guests or 250 guests, depending on what you have on hand. Don’t forget the fun activities that have to be available to keep the guests entertained!
The Style – there are so many things to consider here, they will have to be listed:
Is your wedding a formal or informal event? Is it a traditional wedding or creatively, modernly your thing? Will it be at night, in the day or evening? Will it be outdoors or indoors? Is it going to be gourmet meals or fish and chips?The style you are going for will help you narrow down your search for the perfect wedding location.
The Weather – the weather answers to no one. Since you can’t change the weather, pick a venue that will allow you make suitable arrangements to go with the weather, be it sunny, rainy, or snowy.
Food and Drinks – a lot of money is going to be spent on food and drinks, so the quality (and quantity) of these cannot be messed with. Check if the venues on your list provide catering, and ask to see their menu and possibly taste them before making the decision. Or, ask if you can hire your own caterer.
The Date – the date of the wedding has to be set, probably before you settle on the venue you want to pick. Have some dates in mind, all in a certain month or two, and find out the availability of those dates, as well as what dates are available, so that you can plan accordingly.
Make sure you consider all these things before you choose your dream wedding destination, and you should also consider venues that have in-house wedding planners, so that they can help you plan, or you can just hire your own. Happy venue hunting!