A pre-wedding planning trip is a must if you are planning a destination wedding or intending to exchange vows in a destination or at a resort you’ve never been to before.
Don’t view this trip as a mere formality. Turn it into a golden opportunity to lay the foundation for your dream destination wedding day.
These invaluable tips and insights are aimed at helping you get the most out of your pre-wedding planning trip.
From selecting the perfect venue that resonates with your style to connecting with the onsite wedding team who can bring your vision to life, each step holds significance.
Benefits of a Pre-Wedding Planning Trip for Destination Weddings
TIP 1: Visiting a Destination
When choosing a location for your pre-wedding planning trip for destination weddings, prioritize safety, accessibility, and guest comfort.
Ensure there are no recent travel warnings, political issues, or health concerns. Consider the feasibility of travel for all guests, especially those with specific needs.
Discover the must-see attractions, experiences, and sites that your destination has to offer. Your guests may enjoy these, and you want them to create memories while celebrating with you.
If golf is on the list, find out about your options nearby where you and your guests will be staying and ask about setting up a group.
Consider The Weather: Understand the destination's climate and how it will be around the time of your planned wedding. Always have backup plans in case of bad weather.
Consider hosting additional events like a bachelor/bachelorette, a welcome party, or a farewell brunch.
Check out locations in the area to host these events and enhance your guests' experience. They can also be held at the resort venue you choose.
Tip 2: Visiting The Resort Venue – What to Consider
Several important factors must be considered when scouting a resort during your pre-wedding planning trip for destination weddings.
Location: Choose a location that aligns with your vision and is easily accessible to all your guests. It is ideal to find a location within 30-45 minutes of the airport but don’t let that be your sole criterion.
Ceremony & Reception Locations: The number one decision to make on a pre-wedding planning trip is to see ceremony and reception sites available at your resort or at an offsite venue. You need to be able to “see yourself” truly having the ceremony of your dreams there.
Capacity: Make sure the space is right for a group of your size and that the venue's capacity is suitable for both the ceremony and reception
Policies: Ask about the venue's policies on outside vendors, alcohol, decor, music and entertainment, catering, cake, accommodations, insurance, and security
Accessibility: Check the venue's policy on accessibility and parking. If you are inviting people who are more physically challenged, choosing a location and resort that is easy to get around in, without a lot of hills or valleys, is preferable.
Indoor vs. Outdoor: Decide whether you want an indoor or outdoor wedding and consider the pros and cons of each option. Obviously, unless the weather is a factor, most people will have their ceremony and reception outside; that’s the main reason you are having a destination wedding. however, there are times when you could have the beauty of an outdoor ceremony with the comfort of a ballroom reception, out of the heat and humidity. It just depends on you.
NOTE: Make sure that the resort you choose has quality spots for a backup plan if the weather is bad.
Your Guest Experience: The comfort and enjoyment of your guests is also a top priority. Make sure that the resort you choose will have plenty to offer all of the family and friends you are inviting to your wedding.
Tip 3: Meeting With The Onsite Wedding Team
One advantage of a pre-destination wedding visit is being able to meet with the onsite wedding team to see how you relate to and communicate with them.
Your comfort level, of course, is of the utmost importance when working with a wedding team.
Here are some areas to consider during your visit to maximize the productivity of your meeting.
Prepare a list of questions that include inquiries about menu options, venue capacity, and decor choices.
Be receptive to suggestions and recommendations from the onsite team. They possess valuable experience and knowledge about the venue and the local area, which can prove invaluable in making informed decisions. With that said, make sure the team is actually listening to your concerns and needs. If they aren’t now, when they are looking for your business, they really won’t be once you’re signed, sealed, and delivered.
Take a comprehensive tour of the venue alongside the team. This will give you a clearer understanding of the space and how it can best be utilized for your wedding.
Communicate your wedding vision and preferences. Collaborate with them to develop a plan that aligns with your desires and suits your budget. Again, make sure they are listening to you, not just pushing their own agenda.
Ensure that your expectations are transparently communicated. Any special requests or requirements should be clearly articulated to the onsite team.
Your meeting should make you feel like you can collaborate effectively with the onsite team to make well-informed decisions for your wedding, resulting in a memorable and enjoyable experience for you and your guests.
NOTE: Unfortunately, the reality is that many of the resort wedding venues have a high turnover in the onsite wedding staff. It’s very possible that the team you start with won’t be the team you end up with as you get closer to your wedding. With that said, I always advise couples to consider hiring a destination wedding consultant to help them with every aspect of their destination wedding, including keeping in constant communication with the onsite team and any changes that may occur, so that you don’t have to constantly be trying to keep up with it all. A destination wedding designer will be able to take great notes and quickly jump in to make sure your wedding vision will happen, no matter what changes happen with the onsite team.
Tip 4: Turn Your Pre-Wedding Planning Trip into a Mini Getaway Experience
While a pre-wedding planning trip can be busy, try to enjoy a little break while there. Take at least one day to relax on the beach, sip some margaritas, and rejuvenate.
The details of your wedding will come together and you won’t plan everything in an entire weekend, so relax!
Enjoy your visit and come back excited and energetic to make your final decision and start planning your destination wedding!
Pro tip: have some professional pics taken while there so you can send out the save-the-date cards with a photo of you two at the destination! How cool would that be?
Your pre-wedding planning trip for destination weddings isn’t just a quick getaway; it’s an essential step that provides all the information you need to plan your dream wedding.
It can give you all the information you need to help you plan your dream wedding.
From understanding your destination's culture to selecting the perfect resort venue, doing a pre-planning trip will help you craft a wedding experience that will leave a lasting mark and become a cherished chapter in your love story.
If you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed and want to ensure you cover all your bases with your destination wedding planning, or if you would like to do a pre-planning destination wedding trip, I’d be delighted to chat with you.
Here is a link to schedule a complimentary 30-minute consultation—no strings attached!
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