Do you have to get married on a Saturday?
Resorts place a premium on weekend wedding spots. Many have minimum spends or required higher level package purchases on weddings. If you are willing to take a Monday-Thursday time slot, you may have more options.
What does the back-up ceremony location look like?
Tropical environments often involve rain. If your wedding gets rained out, where will the backup location be? And are you happy with that?
What time slots are available?
Tropical environments can get hot, fast. The hottest time of the day is between Noon-3pm. So, a noon wedding on the beach with a cocktail reception afterward may have your makeup sliding off your face and guests sweating to death. Prime time slots are in the evenings or late afternoon.
Do you want to get married on the sand or just with a great view?
There are advantages and disadvantages to getting married on the sand. Direct beach weddings have a very romantic feel that draws many couples to choose a destination wedding. However, the reality of sand can be hot with little shade, windy, and buggy. It can also be smelly if there are seaweed issues at the location (currently a common issues in the Caribbean the past few summers). Many resorts have beautiful vistas from rooftops or balcony locations that get you the sea without the sand (or the seaweed). Others have gorgeous tropical environments that make for unique, exotic photos.
Are you looking for a legal ceremony or just a symbolic one?
Part of getting married is legal paperwork. In the States, this is a marriage license that is signed by an officiant and used to file for the legal marriage certificate. Outside the States, local laws help govern what makes a marriage legal or not legal even for foreign citizens. Getting married abroad can come with extra hoops to jump through including how many days you are there before the ceremony, previous marriages and documentation, blood work, translation, licenses, officiants, and fees. You can choose to do the legal part of your marriage in the States and have a symbolic ceremony overseas that isn’t used to meet legal qualifications. If you need a legal wedding service, it will be vital to work closely with your travel advisor to make sure you meet all the requirements of your destination.
Who will be doing the ceremony and will it be in English?
Many resorts provide an officiant. If you want a specific religious type of officiant, you will need to make sure this can be arranged. You will also want to ask if you will be allowed to write your own vows.
How many ceremonies are done each day at the resort?
Some couples prefer to be the only wedding group on their day, others don’t care. Some resorts have only one wedding per day, while other have multiple weddings at various locations.
What are the minimum spends and packages to be able to have a ceremony?
Many resorts have minimum package spends or requirements for certain popular dates. If you are planning on doing a “free wedding package” or other offer, it might not be available on your ideal date or time.
What kind of preparations do you want for the ceremony?
Many resorts offer spa treatments, bridal suites, or packages designed for the wedding party to hang out prior to the ceremony. If you are wanting to have hair, nails, makeup, or other preparations, it’s important to be comfortable with the facilities the resort offers.
What kind of dress code do you want for the ceremony?
Many guests have not been to a beach wedding before. They will ask what you expect them to wear. Most couples opt for a more relaxed dress code that allows for breathable, light fabrics.
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Destination weddings appeal to all kinds of couples. But there are certain things we hear from our clients over and over again as to why they are looking for a destination wedding. We see them come to us with same reasons and watch their destination wedding dreams come true. So, what do they tell us?…
How to Plan a Destination Wedding
“I found some pictures of a beautiful beach online. I think I’ll get married there.”“I know a traditional wedding is not for me. I want something simpler, exotic and different, but don’t know where to start.”“I have always dreamed of a beautiful wedding on the beach with my family. But I am totally overwhelmed.” This…
About The Traveling Compass:
The Traveling Compass is a full-service luxury travel agency. Our success is built on a foundation of unmatched expertise and outstanding customer service. Our travel agents specialize in international travel, corporate incentive trips, destination weddings & honeymoons, multigenerational travel, luxury leisure, and family travel. We are also Authorized Disney Vacation Planners with experience assisting families that have children with special needs or large families or groups with complicated dining reservations for over 20 guests. Our personalized travel itineraries are designed to help discerning, time-pressed travelers plan the most elaborate vacations, down to the smallest detail. As luxury travel agents, we are dedicated to creating and facilitating travel experiences that expand awareness and give each person a real sense of the country and culture they are visiting. It is our mission to make sure you have the travel experience of a lifetime, every time.
