As a travel agent who specializes in destination weddings I hear lots of great ideas regarding weddings.
This information comes from past wedding couples, wedding vendors such as photographers, wedding coordinators, and more.
The first and foremost important thing to keep in mind is “it is your special day!”
Try to not let your guests determine your wedding date or location. If they are not able to attend your destination wedding due to finances or health reasons let them know you will miss them. Then do your best to include them later by sharing your wedding video and photos.
Many wedding couples have a small function when they return home. This is a great way to include all the guests in your special day who were not able to attend your wedding.
The first step when planning your destination wedding is to set a date and location.
It may be a good idea to have some flexibility with this to lock in the best prices. For example many private locations offer a discount if you do a day of event verses a nightly function. This may not be available 365 days of the year.
The next step would be to secure a wedding planner or coordinator. They will be able to save you time and money in addition to hiring with the best vendors in the business.
After you have locked in your wedding date, location and venue the next phase would be your travel planning.
You will be able to lock in your airfare 330-300 days prior to departure. Because most wedding sites become available a year in advance this will be perfect timing.
Travel to Maui averages 50+ destination weddings per year for the last 11 years. During this time we have arranged travel packages from 2-120 people.
The bride and groom normally secure their travel reservations first. This is followed closely by the wedding party, including close family members. Guests tend to wait until the last minute. That is why it is a good idea to set your RSVP date 45 days or more prior to the wedding.
I have heard of wedding parties where the guests never RSVP and just showed up at the destination wedding. Or worse they did RSVP and then no showed. In either event this added extra stress at the day of wedding, not to mention the expense.
When you book your wedding with Travel to Maui we advise you of each and every guest once they have confirmed their travel plans.
It is a good idea to send out your save the date information 6-12 months in advance. This allows your guests time to request the time off, and to arrange their travel.
One cute idea I have seen when doing a destination wedding to Hawaii is to send out a Hawaiian post card with the wedding information on it.
This would be followed by a formal invitation closer to the wedding date.
Another great tip when planning your destination wedding is to set up a wedding website. Here you can list your travel agents contact information, wedding details and any other information necessary.
Once you have completed all the above information you can sit back, relax and count the days until your upcoming wedding in paradise!
For more information check out our FAQ page at Travel to Maui. http://www.traveltomaui.net/php/travel-faq.php
To schedule a consulting appointment with one of our destination specialist contact us. http://www.traveltomaui.net/php/contact.php
Check out Travel to Maui reviews: http://www.traveltomaui.net/php/testimonials.php
Written by Marie Glodt
Certified Hawaii Specialist and Maui Master with the Hawaii Visitor Bureau.
Tiare Tahiti Specialist with the Tahiti Visitor Bureau and Pearl Partner with Paul Gauguin Cruises.
Links:
Hawaii Travel agent http://www.traveltomaui.net/index.php
Hawaii vacation http://www.traveltomaui.net/php/hawaii-travel.php
Honeymoon http://www.traveltomaui.net/php/honeymoon-packages.php
Tahiti http://www.traveltomaui.net/php/tahiti-travel.php
Weddings http://www.traveltomaui.net/php/weddings.php
Cruises http://www.traveltomaui.net/php/cruise-vacations.php
Wedding tips from the best vendors in the industry 