Guest Post: Tips for Destination Weddings

I am so excited to have another guest poster for you today all the way from India! I have to say, I am always in awe at how the internet brings the whole world closer to each other. I’m happy that this is another post topic I haven’t covered because I have no experience in destination weddings, though I am hoping I someday will get to when I start my business in the hopes to help military brides :-) While I’m still without my belongings thanks to a horrible moving company, I am happy that I am only days away from having internet again! Than I will be back with full force again instead of trying to get by with hotspots and my iphone! 

Candice of Marry Me- The Wedding Planners plans Indian weddings that have a lot to planning to them, but the tips she provides are so great for all destination weddings!

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Destination Weddings are gaining popularity with couples that want a unique and memorable wedding celebration. In India, Rajasthan for its forts and palaces and Goa for its beachfront venues are the most popular destinations for weddings. Other destinations like Kerala and Hyderabad are also gaining popularity.
Destination weddings involve a lot of research and planning. Once you have your location and venue finalized, you can then start putting together the other elements that will complement your celebrations. Indian weddings, being extremely elaborate, often have much more planning and coordination that goes into a destination wedding.

Here are some tips:
~ In keeping with the theme and the destination, choose an invitation that is apt. Think a scroll for a royal wedding or a message in a bottle for a beach wedding. Your invite could also be fairly simple, but accompanied with a gift, characteristic of the wedding destination; you could give your guests a little taste of the destination in advance! Also, don’t forget your save the dates! Try and send them out as soon as possible, so guests can block their dates!

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~ In many cases, destination weddings require minimal décor as the location is most likely naturally picturesque and ideal for an intimate wedding. Using props and colors that highlight the natural beauty of the surroundings would be a good idea.

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~ Since your guests have travelled from far and wide for your wedding, consider a welcome gift basket in each hotel room. You can add an itinerary, map, local sweets, snacks and chocolates even! Maybe some bath & body products could also be a good idea. And if it is a beach wedding, don’t forget the sunscreen! What about taking this one step further and placing a couples of chocolates and a good night card in each room at turn down? You guests will be just thrilled!

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Don’t forget about your guest hospitality! Your guests may have travelled from far and some, not so far places to be part of your celebrations. It is of utmost importance to take care of them and be attentive to their needs. Pick up and welcomes at the airports must be well coordinated. How about a welcome with garland, cold towel and a refreshing drink before commencing their journey to the hotel? This extra step and thoughtfulness will definitely make your guests feel welcome! Another thing you could do – ask your planner about setting up a hospitality desk at the hotel where you guests will be staying. This is especially helpful if you have large numbers of guests. So at a chaotic time like pre wedding, guests who require help with appointments for their hair, sari drapes, pinks, nail polish remover or even first aid kits can be assisted. This desk can also help with other guest queries like venues of specific functions, dress codes, local shopping information, tours, booking of transport and more.

~ Think about local entertainment options, which can help liven up your event. Some kind of local entertainment may also be a good idea for guests during welcomes and check-ins at the hotel. Also, if you have a days break between parties – don’t forget about your guests! How about setting up a destination tour or even a shopping tour to keep your guests occupied?

~ Every detail about your wedding will be discussed and remembered for a long time. The food is one of the most important factors of your wedding celebrations. Ensure that you have sampled the food prior to your function so that the menu suits your guest’s palates. While it would be good to have local delicacies as part of the buffet, be sure that there is a variety of options available for those who have certain dietary restrictions.

I hope these tips are useful when planning your destination wedding! Most importantly, remember to enjoy the planning process!


About us
Candice Pereira is a wedding planner & blogger in Mumbai, India. Her international exposure, design style, attention to detail, and personalized service ensures that couples will enjoy their special day. Every detail of the wedding from décor to legalities, from clothes to transport is managed with ease by her company - Marry Me - Wedding Planners. She loves all things weddings, and her focus is on delivering elegant & one of a kind celebrations.