Precious Nuptials & Destinations :: Chronicle of a Complete Service Texas Destination Wedding Planner» Guests

Create Your Wedding or Event Itineraries with Tripit

precious — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:30:13 +0000

What is Tripit?

Tripit is an online solution to housing the many travel confirmations, driving instructions and supporting details of travel that serves as an awesome resource to assist in a smooth flowing process.

A Destination Wedding Must…

If you’re planning a destination wedding or have a large amount of guest attending from out of town, Tripit is an awesome resource to composing and sharing the details of each scheduled event. You may include maps with turn by turn directions, images and real time weather stats.

VIEW A DETAILED SAMPLE ITINERARY HERE and don’t forget to SIGN UP for your free account!

[To your precious nuptial :: Cheers!]

Welcome Bags for Your Beach Wedding!

precious — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 05:13:27 +0000

If you’re into maximizing the experience for the guests attending your beach destination wedding, here’s your chance to offer a grand welcome! As part of creating the experience, you’ll create a lasting memory and over hear your wedding guests saying, “Oh! Wasn’t the welcome tote from Tamara and Steve simply fabulous?!”

Step One :: Find a keepsake tote that’s makes a statement

Spotted at Newport News for a bargin $24!

Aggie Fan clear beach tote only $12.95 at Football Fanatics! Don't worry your team is listed too!

Personalize this Chino Deck tote with a picture of the happy couple for about $10!

Pick your flip flop and your guest's name for only $14.95 at Personal Creations.

Make a cultural statement. This Miller Home Fashions tote was found at Amazon for $28.99 each.

Step Two :: Add fun and necessary items

Don’t over personalize your items, but bottled water is a nice way to bring in your event brand. We love Bottle Your Brand (the source of these great pics)!

Add a picture...

... include a welcome statement

... and/or brand it!

Step Three :: Add a few essentials

With all the special baggage requirements on flights these days, travel sized items will be a hit! If guests haven’t traveled in a while, or had to forfeit items at security check, they’ll love you more because of your thoughtfulness. Other essentials may include items like a beach towel or flip flops.

My all time favorite one stop shop for anything trial size!

Another great source for travel size items of all sorts!

Top it off with Sephora lip balm if you really like them! {wink}

Step Four :: Add a little local flair

Local favorites of food, crafts, maps, wine, et cetera….

Step Five :: Add a little fun

A deck of cards for adult down time and fun for the child at heart. Your guests will appreciate you giving them a little something to do during down times.

Dollar Days offers discount board games suitable for adults.

Family Travel Gear offers travel sized games for the little ones.

Step Six :: Include your Wedding Guests Itinerary

Don’t forget to include a copy of your wedding guest itinerary. We reviewed this briefly on day three of our 20 Elements of a Successful Destination Wedding Series.

Helpful Hint :: Most of these items can be shipped to your destination

Don’t forget to check with your hotel policy ahead of time. We suggest add this to the shipping address:

Hold for : Jane Doe / Check in 00/00/2011

You will need to set up a system to track delivery confirmation. Since you will be arriving ahead of time to ensure residency requirements are set, this will be a good time to assemble bags (or have your Destination Wedding Planner team do it for you).

[To your precious nuptial :: Cheers!]

20 Elements of a Successful Destination Wedding :: Day 3

precious — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 18:04:04 +0000

11 :: Well Thought Out Wedding Week/Weekend Events

Give special thought when developing your wedding excursions and events activity list. Please do not start events too early in the morning. Your guest will appreciate sleeping in on their much needed vacation. Daytime is a great time for adventurous family filled fun. While evening time is ideal for adult friendly gatherings. Don’t forget to include a guest events itinerary in your bag or basket of greeting goodies.

12 :: Paid Guest Transfers to Wedding Events

Be kind and provide guests with transportation to and from all wedding events. Your guests will have made leaps and bounds to attend your wedding. Just as it’s not proper to require them to pay for wedding related events, they shouldn’t have to schedule and pay for on location wedding related transfers either. Not only is it courteous, but it’s simply the right thing to do. Don’t forget to list shuttle, taxi, or car pick up times on your guest itinerary.

13 :: Supply Guests With Frequent Updates

With small groups, it’s much easier to keep guest informed and excited about your up and coming destination nuptials. However, working with medium sized to larger groups may pose a greater challenge. We suggest bi-monthly updates to keep your guest excited and properly informed. Please stay within wedding etiquette when sending out any wedding related communications. Regardless of the level of formality, a flyer has no fit where weddings are concerned. We know you will send out save the date notices as well as a formal invitation. Use your wedding website for continued updates. Send email notices to visit your wedding website for updates or important need to know information from your dedicated wedding couple email address. Keeping the buzz going also creates a greater yes:no ratio of attendance.

14 :: Consider a Planning Trip

Don’t send us hate mail on this one, please! Everyone should access their need to make a planning trip. Even if you are a regular visitor of your destination, you should plan a face to face meeting with service providers as well as to outline the sheer logistics of the scheduled events. Element of change is something that’s around to stay. Staff members will changes, policies and procedures will change, venues appearances will change; Change is inevitable. Readiness and being prepared to overcome change is another story. The greater the attendee list, the greater the logistics, and the greater we urge you to budget for a planning trip. You definitely will want to consider taking your planner as well as any key decision makers.

15 :: Be In the Know on Legal Requirements

Having a planner or travel agent on hand will keep you abreast of legal necessities for marrying at your destination. Knowing what documents are needed for entry, residency requirements, translation requirements, blood test requirements, prior marriage requirements, notary requirements, religious requirements, et cetera, will make the processes that much simpler. Wouldn’t it be horrible to go through the planning and arrive at your destination only to find out that you can not be legally married for some odd reason?

Tomorrow :: 20 Elements of a Successful Destination Wedding, The Finale!

[To your precious nuptial :: Cheers!]

20 Elements of a Successful Destination Wedding :: Day 2

precious — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 16:04:20 +0000

6 :: Decide Your Guest List Early On

Yesterday, we used the world as a blank canvas to visualize location selection. You were able to paint your wedding at a specific location. Let’s take a look at this beautiful masterpiece! Do you see a handful of your closest family members? Maybe you envision something a bit larger, yet still intimate in size. You may even picture a fiesta of family, friends and loved ones. At any rate, the important fact is knowing early on and communicating this important piece of information to all parties involved. Doing so can avoid ill feelings.

7 :: Save The Date Notice

Other than your overly excited parents eagerly chatting about your upcoming nuptials, you will need to formally announce your wedding date. Destination wedding save the dates should be ordered and delivered as soon as you know your actual wedding date. Keep is short and sweet! Highlight your date and destination. There will be plenty of details to follow.

8 :: Offer More Than One Guest Rooming Option

It’s very common to have guest that may feel comfortable rooming at an alternative location other than the one hosting your event or your primary housing option. Sure, you will be offered upgrades and/or additional amenities by booking “X” amount of rooms into your group space. Doing so may not be the best choice for your guests. Family A may desire a bit more modest arrangement while Family B may be accustomed to a more luxurious experience. Be prepared for split decisions. We’re not saying that everyone will not book into your primary location. We’re simply advising that you should never make your guest feel obligated to book one specific location. Remember, they will be traveling to share in the joy of your union. Many of them will make great sacrifices. Be a gracious host every step of the way.

9 :: Negotiate Group Rates

When creating room blocks, you will have the opportunity to negotiate your group rate. I don’t recommend calling up a hotel or resort and saying, “Let’s make a deal.” No! This is not the 1970′s game show with Monty Hall waiting to show you what’s behind curtain number one. Instead, leave this task for your wedding planner or travel agent to handle (see day one : no. 4). Depending on who you’ve retained, they may be able to land additional amenities for you and your guests as well as the standard offerings of a blocked space.

10 :: Create a Wedding Website

A good wedding website should be your main resource for keeping your guests in the know. Take the time time necessary to introduce yourselves and your destination wedding details. Having a good resource of information will habit your guests to visit your website verses constant telephone calls. We recommend WeddingWindow. It’s reasonably priced, and comes with powerful features. The designs are visually appealing and easy to customize. The features are too lengthy to list here. We know you’ll appreciate the password feature. Undoubtedly, your family will share your wedding website with others. Password protection is a great way to protect attending specifics for your guests access only. Test drive WeddingWindow’s free trial offer.

Day 3 :: Series resumes on Monday!

[To your precious nuptial :: Cheers!]