If you are planning a destination wedding, it is an opportunity to have a once-in-a-lifetime event that will make beautiful memories for you and your loved ones. From the breathtaking environment of a beach to the enchanting allure of a castle, the options for destination weddings are limitless, especially in Spain, where you can find all of this and more.
Nevertheless, to guarantee that everything goes perfectly on your special day, thorough preparation is key. This includes the selection of the perfect location that will match what you have in mind and the amount of money that you are willing to spend, coordination of the travel of your guests, and ensuring that everything that is needed for a perfect and stress-free wedding day is in place.
Using this detailed guide, we will go together through the entire organizing process, providing useful tips and advice at each stage. No matter if you are imagining a beachfront wedding or a country-side party, we’ve got you. Create your dream destination wedding with ease.
Destination Wedding PLANNING
Destination Weddings: Everything You Need To Know Before Wedding Day
In planning your ideal destination wedding, there are so many factors to consider that will eventually determine the vibe of your big day. The climate, accessibility, local attractions, and overall atmosphere are very important aspects in selecting the right location.
Choosing the place where your wedding will be held is certainly a very difficult task. There are many options and locations, and selecting just one in a sea of beautiful places is something that is not so easy and fast. However, you need to take your time, do thorough research, and ultimately follow your heart.
Choosing the Best Wedding Destination
Going to a foreign country to hold your wedding is an exciting venture and requires a detailed plan. Choosing the best destination is certainly subjective and personal, and we can only help you there by presenting the best of Spain and what it has to offer.
Such an event as a wedding is a beautiful experience that you live with your dearest people and that is why choosing a wedding location is just one more factor that will contribute to making your celebration long remembered by all of you.
The whole world is at your fingertips. The fact is that we cannot choose for you, but if you are in doubt as to which is the right place for your destination wedding, we can guide you and take you through Spain.
Our company The Planner Co will offer you various insights and advice about Spain, its culture, customs, and all the important details related to weddings, which can help you in choosing and ultimately planning and organizing a destination wedding.
On our website, you can see articles and pictures of great places around the country, from beautiful islands to stunning cities that were once part of the Roman Empire with a rich history, and decide if this is the right choice and the right location for you.
Collaboration With a Destination Wedding Planner
Destination wedding planners make the planning of the wedding easier. Such experts have the local know-how and can suggest the right vendors that fit the budget. By selecting a destination wedding planner, you are essentially getting a partner who will work tirelessly to ensure that your dream wedding becomes a reality.
Based on their knowledge of the area and the local wedding market, they can advise on what best suits your vision and budget. A destination wedding planner can handle all the details of planning a wedding in another city or country from negotiating contracts with suppliers, translating documents, giving advice, and everything in between.
Another important thing that makes wedding planners valuable is that they speak the local language and have previous experience, so they can recommend and guide you in all of this throughout the process.
Having them handle these duties will allow you to concentrate on the joy and fun of the approaching event without the pressure of having to control everything. Having a destination wedding planner with you, your wedding party will be perfectly organized and leave you and your closest friends with the most memorable day.
The wedding planning process is a long and tiring task and not everyone is willing to go through it alone. That is why couples prefer to leave everything to a planner for their local wedding or wedding weekend so that they can focus on other things such as choosing the perfect honeymoon, searching for a wedding dress, inviting wedding guests, and similar.
Next is the most important part of wedding preparation: putting together your vendor team. At The Planner Co., we do not provide pre-packaged solutions. Instead, we create every part of your wedding day from scratch. We carefully handpick each supplier based on your specific needs and preferences, to make sure that every element is exactly in line with your vision.
Plan A Destination Wedding: How to Manage Wedding Budget and Spend Less
Establishing a wedding budget is not a decision to be made in haste. It involves thoughtful and well-thought-out planning so that every element of the event is accounted for without spending more than the budgeted amount. Considering all costs including travel expenses, accommodations, venue fees, wedding vendors, catering, baggage fees, and decorations, you will be able to come up with a budget that suits your needs.
The budget should be allocated wisely, concentrating on the elements that are essential for both of you as a couple. To some people, a destination wedding may represent a cheaper option than a traditional wedding, but it is important to plan and budget well to avoid any unexpected financial surprises.
Setting up the budget and sticking to it during the entire process of planning will guarantee that your special day is everything you dream of without emptying your pockets.
When you plan, you can pre-book your trip and spend less because you will get the best rates for flights and accommodations. In addition, you may think about getting married on weekdays rather than weekends to get discounts. Many all-inclusive resorts provide bundled packages that include meals, drinks, entertainment, and much more at cheap prices.
Many couples who want to be legally married choose to have a legal ceremony in their city before their symbolic destination wedding. This is nothing strange, and having a civil ceremony before your departure will significantly reduce your budget and leave you room for other important expenses such as a destination wedding photographer and other vendors.
Double-check everything you want one more time before you go on this trip to see if your requests and ideas fit into the overall budget you have decided to set aside for the destination wedding.
Picking the Day When the Wedding Will Take Place and Preparing the List of Guests Who Will Attend
Determining the most suitable engagement date is not only a matter of personal taste but also a question of practical considerations. In addition to the weather conditions, it is also important to take into account peak travel seasons and the availability of your chosen venue.
Choosing a date that suits both you and your guests will enable your loved ones to attend and celebrate this special day with you. Give clear notice of the date so that guests have enough time to make travel plans.
Apart from selecting the right date, the guest list is also an important part of wedding planning. Make sure that you carefully create your list of invitees so that will ensure that those who are most important to you can be there to celebrate with you.
Scheduling the sending of 'save the dates early' cards and allowing ample time before the ceremony date ensures your guests will not only mark the date but also arrange for travel which is a big determinant for a successful wedding day.
But it's not just about the big day. Consider adding a few extra days to the schedule. This extra time can transform your event from a mere ceremony into a profound experience, allowing for a welcome party, a more intimate ceremony, or simply a chance to relax and revel in the same location where your union will be celebrated.
Local Weddings: Finding the Perfect Wedding Venue
The location is also a very important part of setting up the right atmosphere for your wedding. Make sure it is in line with your vision and can comfortably cater to your guest count. Investigate the facilities that the venue provides, for example, catering services and bridal suites, to see if they suit your needs.
The selection of the right venue is one of the key determinants when organizing your special day. The place not only serves as a backdrop for the occasion but also greatly contributes to the mood and atmosphere that you want to achieve.
No matter if you and your partner have the dream of the white sandy beach, the historic walls of a villa, or the greenery of a garden, it is essential to choose a location that covers your vision. Reflect on the number of guests and see if the venue can hold everyone comfortably. In the end, you need to select a place that reflects your style and characters and which will be a great background for the celebration of love.
If you are still not sure which is the best option for you and which place to choose to get married, we will introduce you to some of the places we have worked with and thus make your choice easier. However, this topic will not be discussed here, but in separate articles on our website.
See what is hidden in the streets of Madrid, Segovia, the beaches of Menorca, and among the greenery of Barcelona. In our other articles related specifically to wedding venues, which you can find here on our website, step into the world of fantastic places that will leave you speechless. The only downside is that you won't be able to decide which one to choose.
Organizing Guests Traveling and Accommodation
Travel and lodging arrangements for your guests are one of the essential components of wedding planning. By helping with the travel arrangements and accommodations you would make the trip for your guests to be more comfortable and less expensive.
This could be achieved by negotiating group rates with the hotels, thus enabling your guests to benefit from the discounts. Moreover, it would be better to give a list of recommended hotels located close to the wedding place to allow the guests to choose the most convenient place to stay.
Look at reserving a room block at the hotel as it will save money and ensure guests stay together, which creates a community feel. You can also help guests in making their reservations, either by providing contact details of the accommodations or by walking them through the reservation process.
These measures will enable you to guarantee that the travel experience of your guests is hassle-free and enjoyable for your big day.
A suggestion and a good idea is that the wedding day does not take place on the same day when you and your guests arrive. In this way, everyone will have time to recover from jet lag, get comfortable, and prepare for the celebration. Plus, it gives you extra time to take care of any last-minute tasks that may come up once you arrive at your destination.
Arranging the Details of the Wedding
As the ceremony date is drawing near, it is time to look into the details of your big day. Starting with the right menu, and rehearsal dinner to the magnificent decorations, this is a perfect time to work hand in hand with the wedding planner and vendors to make sure that every detail of the day is planned to perfection.
Remember to book transport for your guests and make an elaborate day-of timeline to keep everything under control. Prepare a thorough day-of timeline to help you stay on task and make sure all have an unforgettable experience.
An attentive approach to every single aspect helps to create a flawless and unforgettable event for you and your guests. Every detail from the ceremony to the reception will be perfectly synchronized to make the day memorable.
We all know that most weddings have a lot of important details that we are not even aware of. Here it is about various details such as lighting, table layout and seating, music transitions, guest comfort, bathroom amenities, wedding timeline, parking, and many other things.
Maybe other people will not pay so much attention to these things consciously, but even these details are very important so that the whole day and the atmosphere will pass in the best order and so that your day will be one that everyone will remember.
Embracing Local Customs and Traditions in Your Destination Wedding
Incorporating local customs and traditions into your destination wedding is a very beautiful and creative thing and can only make your celebration even more unforgettable for you and your loved ones.
Starting from traditional rites to local food, there are numerous ways of incorporating the spirit of the place into your wedding day. Whether it is a traditional dance, a type of ceremony, or even attire, such elements can personalize your wedding and make it special.
The local experts or your wedding planner will guide you on how to adhere to the customs and traditions of the location in a way that is real and significant. Paying tribute to the local culture will enable you to organize an outstanding special wedding.
To truly feel and experience the spirit of Spain on your wedding day, think about serving local specialties on your menu or choose a wedding dress and suit that are unique to this region.
Celebrating Your Tailored Ceremony in Your Dream Destination
Finally, we have reached the end of this complete guide and everything that awaits you at your destination wedding. We're sure you've chosen an amazing destination for your special day, so now you're ready for everything that comes after.
Let the beautiful landscapes be the best background for your celebration. Absorb the sights and smells of the surroundings and indulge in the culture that is characteristic of a new place. Whether you have your heart set on a beach, a historic castle, or a romantic vineyard, cherish every moment of your dream wedding.
From the time you wake up in the morning to that special moment when you walk down the aisle and promise your love to your other half, let yourself fully immerse yourself in the beauty of the place you chose to exchange vows with your partner. Finally, take a pause and think back on the road that led you here, this symbolic moment surrounded by the people who love you in a stunning setting.
A Step Back and All of the Information in One Place
Every wedding is unique and a story in itself. Some couples may only spend a few months organizing it, while others spend a whole year planning or even more, especially if the chosen location is a place where many weddings take place.
For your wedding, a properly designed wedding website will ensure that everyone is fully informed, so your guests will stay in the loop, and you can use it as a common bulletin board for all the details and announcements about your wedding details.
Now we will once again go through all these steps in a brief outline so that some do not lose sight of them, because they are all very important, especially at destination weddings.
Destination Wedding Planning Checklist
Planning a destination wedding requires careful organization and attention to detail. To ensure a seamless and unforgettable experience, follow this comprehensive checklist:
Determine Budget: Create and determine your budget for the occasion, which should take into account all aspects of your destination wedding, for example, travel expenses, accommodation, venue rental, and other essentials.
Create a Guest List: List all the guests you would invite to your destination wedding ceremony. Carefully consider whether it is appropriate to invite more people to make your celebration bigger or, on the other hand, invite fewer people to make it more intimate according to the size of your celebration.
Work with an Expert: Consider working with professional wedding planners or destination wedding specialists to help walk you through the process step-by-step. As an added advantage, they are well-versed in considering the small details and properly organizing all the challenges that await you.
Research Locations: Discuss different possible destination wedding locations that suit your preferences and align with your vision. Also consider special things such as weather, availability, and leisure facilities when thinking about the perfect place to celebrate.
Look for Deals: Take advantage of promotional offers to save money on travel, accommodation, and wedding packages to keep costs down. Researching different deals and promotions on resort and airline websites is always the best option to find the best deal possible.
Secure Venue and Date: When you have chosen a destination and venue, book your wedding date to make sure you get a slot. Coordinate with the venue to finalize the contracts and arrangement of your ceremony and reception.
Reserve Room Block: Make a reservation for some hotel rooms for your guests to ensure the availability of accommodation and possibly secure discounted rates. Prepare guests with booking information and deadlines so that they can plan their trips on time.
Create Wedding Website: Create a wedding website that provides information about the travel details, accommodation options, itinerary, and registry details. Set up a communication channel that allows guests to stay informed and involved during the planning process.
Communicate Details to Guests: Send save-the-date cards or electronic notifications early enough so that your guests can make travel and accommodation arrangements ahead of time. Ensure that the guests have full knowledge about the travel arrangements, visa applications, and available attractions to help them in their planning process.
Book Accommodations: Secure your accommodations and ask that guests book their accommodations as early as they can. Work together with hotels or resorts to guarantee smooth check-in and accommodation arrangements with your wedding party and guests.
