Congratulations! You are now engaged and embarking upon some of the best days of your life. This is an exciting time, but soon after getting engaged, there comes this whirlwind of questions, which can all be grouped together as: what now? If you are planning a destination wedding, you are going to want your first step to be narrowing down your destination and resort. Below are some things to consider when selecting your dream destination.
Photo: Dreams Huatluco Resort & Spa
Start by thinking about yourself. What are you looking for in a destination? Do you have a specific style that you are looking for? You want your wedding to be tropical, while still embodying you and your fiancé. Whether you are an upscale couple, a relaxed couple, or a fun, party couple, there will be a resort that speaks to who you are. Work together to figure out how to reflect your personalities into the wedding. Pinterest always has some great ideas!
Finalize your guest list. This is going to be a big factor in selecting a destination. Would you like adults-only or family-friendly? Is a large resort with lots of walking ok for your guests, or would a smaller boutique resort accommodate your family and friends better? Your guests are traveling a long way to come celebrate your love and you want to make sure it is enjoyable and easy to get to. After a long plane ride and airport baggage lines, most likely, your guests won’t want to hop on a 2-hour shuttle to your resort. If there is a further place you love, consider it for your honeymoon instead.
Pick the month you want to get married in and be sure to research the weather in that location. A beautiful September wedding in the Caribbean sounds great, but it would be very unfortunate if hurricane season got in the way of you and your guests' departure. If September is the month you love, consider other destinations such as Aruba or Curacao, which aren't affected by the season. You want to know what type of weather you are looking for. Of course, it is going to be much warmer and sunny in your tropical destination, but know that in some destinations the winter can get a few degrees cooler, especially at night. Whether you are looking for hot, warm, or cool, there will be a location that is perfect for the date you want, it just may take some research to decide.
Photo: Secrets Aura Cozumel
Narrow down your budget. There are many, many resorts to pick from, but an important step is knowing what you and your guests are willing to spend. Once you know this, you can start figuring out the resorts where you can get the best bang for your buck. If you have a budget of $500 per person, a destination like Hawaii or Turks & Caicos may not be for you, but Mexico or the Dominican Republic may be! There are so many beautiful and luxurious resorts for any budget you are working with.
Photo: Secrets Vallarta Bay Puerto Vallarta
While many factors go into selecting your destination, knowing these things will help you drastically narrow down your search. Be sure to let your wedding specialist know these details and do not be afraid to ask them questions— that is what they are there for! No matter what you are looking for, there is a destination of your dreams out there for you. Let us help you find it by contacting us here!
