Choosing A Destination Wedding

Whether your wedding dream consists of mountains vistas or beaches and palm trees, just you and your soon-to-be or with a long list of dear family and friends, a destination wedding is the perfect way to being your life together. We understand the anxiety that comes with planning a wedding in a foreign destination, so our job is to eliminate the stress by taking on the travel planning details for you. Our goal is for you to thoroughly enjoy your destination wedding day, knowing that all of the details have been taken care of for you. With Romance Travel Group by your side, all of the difficulty of destination wedding planning is gone! We will:

• assist with the selection of a destination wedding, honeymoon or vacation location and resort.
  
• help you understand the legal requirements of getting married in your destination.
• introduce you to the wedding coordinator at the resort, most of whom we know personally.
• make and manage travel arrangements for you and all of your guests.
• oversee the entire planning process from start to finish.

 
There are several things to consider when planning a destination wedding. Here is a list to get you thinking:

Budget
​Consider how much you're comfortable having your guests pay for a 3-night vacation. Typically, budgets start at approximately $1000 per person for a 3 night, all-inclusive vacation including air, hotel, transfers, meals, drinks, tips and taxes. Remember though, you get what you pay for.

Dates
​Your wedding date will determine how much the trip will cost.

• Peak season = high rates:  mid-Jan through Easter, all holidays
• Mid-season = average rates: Easter though early June, early January
• Low season = low rates: September through early November, early December

You also want to make sure you give your guests enough time to plan and save for their trip. Sending a Save The Date a year of more before you wedding is a good idea.

Guests
​Don’t be upset if not everyone on your guest list can join you due to time or money constraints. Generally, about 30-40% of those you invite will be able to attend your destination wedding. Most couples have a reception back at home to celebrate with those who were unable to attend.

Destination
​Try to keep travel times within reason. For example, you won't want to plan a Hawaii wedding if guests need to fly for 9 hours and can only stay for 3 nights. Likewise, the more exotic islands can often require multiple airline connections to get there. All guests will need a passport. Most resorts will require the bride, groom and witnesses to arrive 3 full days prior to the wedding ceremony.
 
Resort
​Do you envision something small and intimate, or something loaded with activities and energy? We highly recommend all-inclusive resorts that include meals and drinks. This makes it so much easier for your guests to budget for their trip. And, many all-inclusive resorts include a semi-private reception with their wedding packages, which saves you money. Perhaps money that could be spent on a nice upgrade to the honeymoon suite!

Ceremony Location
​Beach, gazebo, garden, chapel? Resorts usually have many options for you to choose from based on your desires and number of guests. Resorts also have a back-up plan and location in case of inclement weather.

Ceremony Type
​There are two types of ceremonies for destination weddings. You can have a LEGAL ceremony, where you are legally married in your destination and receive a marriage certificate that is recognized at home. Legal ceremonies often cost a little more and require extra paperwork and occasionally blood tests. Or, you can have a SYMBOLIC ceremony that has no legal holding. To have a symbolic ceremony, you would be legally married at home by your clergy or courthouse before you travel. At your destination wedding, you will celebrate your union as if it were your actual wedding with flowers, music, vows and other ceremony details. Your guests will not know the difference between a legal and symbolic ceremony. Approximately 80% of all destination weddings are symbolic.

Our experienced and dedicated team of destination wedding travel specialists is just what you need to help you through all of the planning. And remember, we do not charge fees to work with us! We are confident that after one phone call with us, you'll WANT to work with us, so fees are not necessary. The value we provide is priceless. Give us a call today to start planning the rest of your life!

Romance Travel Group
507-237-6133
​[email protected]