Imagine a small intimate wedding with a close group of family and friends at a hot destination; it has a wonderful allure and is becoming an increasingly popular option for couples. Ask yourself, is a smaller, more intimate wedding with perhaps fewer friends and family attending what you envisage for your special day? If yes, then you may be destination bound.

Here are a few things to consider:
Proximity: Think about which destination would work for you and your respective families. If you live in Western Canada, you might want to think of destinations that are closer and more affordable; Maui and Mexico are popular choices. If you are on the East Coast, then Florida, Jamaica and the Bahamas might be better options.

Timing: If you can time your wedding event to take place during a low- or shoulder-season period, you and your guests might reap the benefits of lower fares and better land-based deals.

Enlist Wedding Planning Professionals
Book a travel agent and look into a hiring a reputable wedding planner to plan your wedding. Ensure that your wedding planner has a wedding director at the destination who will also make sure all the details go as planned.

Legalities
Ensure you have all the requirements to legally marry in your destination of choice. Cancellation insurance is always a good option just in case.

Traditions
In case you are concerned about having to sacrifice the usual trimmings, destination weddings do not necessarily mean you have to forget about special traditions. “Something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue” can still be done with an island flavour. Remember, it’s your wedding and even though it will be far away from home, it truly is your special day. You can still incorporate what’s important to you but perhaps with a unique twist or in a simpler way.

Invitations & The Guest List
Decide at the outset if you want an intimate wedding for just immediate family or a larger event with family and friends before sending out your invitations. Don’t forget to provide plenty of advance notice to your guests. Save-the-Date Cards, destination postcards, and sand-in-a-bottle invites provide excitement for the destination event while giving family and friends enough notice so they can hopefully attend.

Keep Everyone Informed
A customized wedding website or blog is a great way for you to post details about accommodation suggestions and activities. It is also a fun platform for posting engagement party and stag/stagette pictures along with details like where you are registered and if you are donating to a charity in lieu of guest favours.

Savour the Experience
Relax and enjoy each moment, that is what a destination wedding is all about.

Real Weddings Destination Wedding Stories
Check out these tropical destinations featured in couples’ real wedding stories published in Real Weddings magazine:

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – Playa Fiesta Resort

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico – Talofa Tall Ship

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico – One&Only Palmilla Resort

Lucea, Jamaica – Grand Palladium Lady Hamilton Resort & Spa

Maui, Hawaii – Old Lahaina Luau Resort