If you were to say the words Galveston Island, there would an array of feedback and replies: Ike, 1900 storm, the beaches, historical homes, great food, shopping, Schlitterbahn, The Strand, Galveston art, Carnival or cruising in general, Moody Gardens.  The list places to go, along with things to see and do will go on and on.  Galveston has something for everyone, and we want to share the love of the city and all its destination wedding possibilities with you!

Join us each Wednesday, beginning next week, as we tour the city of Galveston through the eyes of destination wedding planners.  Corner to corner, we’ll unveil this hidden destination wedding gem!

Until then…  Cheers!

Don’t stop at shopping only the wedding related aisle in the store.  You absolutely must stroll through the array of home accents for decor elements to incorporate into the grand scheme of things.  Don’t tell anyone, but this is hands down my favorite section of the store.  We know you’ll find something to inspire you or tie into your wedding decor plans.  It’s so much fun finding good value and great eye candy!  Doesn’t it add to the pleasure of the whole shopping experience?  You’ll swoon over the options, because all home accent items are 50% off as well.  

Stop by our blog for this week’s Fun Find Friday.  We’ll show you all the half off goodness we spotted for our clients at Hobby Lobby.  We want to know all about your bargain goodness as well!  Who knows, I may even see you there.  [wink]

The Wonder File actually looks like a must try! I, of course, would order it in black and make it into a Precious Nuptials’ couture original. It’s a perfect wedding planning work station that you can fold right up and take with you. You’ll find slots for your inspiration pages, checklists, notes, fabric samples, receipts, check book, calculator and more. Wouldn’t this be a functional wedding planning organization station?

No doubt, it’s all in the attitude.  We can’t control the weather, but we can certainly control our reactions and overall attitudes to things we cannot control.  If you’re planning a tropical destination wedding, it’s not uncommon for the sky to open up one minute and the sun to peak through the clouds the next.  Embrace this possibility and run with it… the grown and sexy way!

Here’s a clip of Molly and Jason’s beautiful rainy day wedding from ABC’s The Bachelor ::

Tell us…

How would you like a wet, rainy wedding ceremony?  I’d totally dig it!  After all, rain on your wedding day is a sign of good luck.  [wink]

Until next time!

[Here's to your precious nuptial :: Cheers!]

Mistake No. 3 :: Having unrealistic budget expectations

Roadblock tip :: Know your maximum budget before hand and research your options. Come to terms with your findings.  It’s far better to plan a beautiful destination wedding for twelve verses building a logistical nightmare for fifty.

It’s true that planning a destination wedding can be less costly, but this doesn’t mean that you build Romanian gala on a $5,000 budget.  It’s not uncommon to have couples with destination wedding visions that are not parallel with their overall budget.  This is part not knowing and part media hype.  If you don’t know how far your dollar will stretch, it’s okay to ask.  We do advise you to do a little preliminary research.  Sure, it may not be the best idea to plan a destination wedding and manage your entire group’s travel itineraries yourself.  However, it’s okay to use the world wide web to get a general idea on travel demographics of your destination prior to enlisting help.  Just to be clear… We didn’t say planning a destination wedding on a $5,000 budget is unrealistic.  We’re simply saying, parallel your expectations.

Mistake No. 4 :: Scaling back on guest inclusions

Roadblock tip :: Be gracious to your guests!  They’ll love your for it and the overall experience will be that more memorable.

If you’re planning a destination wedding, you should include a portion of your budget to “Guest Inclusions.”  Although not many destination wedding couples are able to pay for their guest travel and accommodations, there are other areas of opportunity to treat your guests graciously.  If there’s ever an opportunity to practice good hosting skills, it’s at a destination wedding.  Many of your guests will make great sacrifices to attend.  Be gracious to them!  If you need to scale anything back, consider cutting down on your overall guest list to add room on your bottom line.

To be continued…

[To your precious nuptial :: Cheers!]

]]> http://preciousnuptials.com/blog/2010/01/12/5-destination-wedding-decision-making-mistakes-part-two/feed/ 0 http://preciousnuptials.com/blog/2009/12/31/5-destination-wedding-decision-making-mistakes-part-one/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=5-destination-wedding-decision-making-mistakes-part-one http://preciousnuptials.com/blog/2009/12/31/5-destination-wedding-decision-making-mistakes-part-one/#comments Thu, 31 Dec 2009 15:00:05 +0000 precious http://preciousnuptials.com/blog/?p=953

Mistake No. 1 :: Committing to a destination wedding prior to dating the idea of a destination wedding

Roadblock Tip :: Research and discuss the idea prior to making a decision.

Just as compatibility is necessary in the couple’s decision to marry, a couple’s compatibility is also necessary when planning a destination wedding.  We suggest putting a little effort into the consideration process.  In addition to discussing the idea as a couple, you should also discuss the idea with your parents and other close relatives and/or loved ones.  An uncompromisable attendance of an important family member could serve as a decision breaker for some.  Know this ahead of time!

You will find a host of online information to assist you with key decision making factors.  We’ve included a few reads for you to begin your journey:

• Destination Bride :: Is a destination wedding right for you?
• About.com :: Is a destination wedding right for you? – 8 Pros and Cons of a Destination Wedding
• DW101: Is a destination wedding right for me? [Miss Sea Breeze of Wedding Bee's prior life as Miss Purple]
• Be sure to take our fun compatibility quiz along the way.
  

Mistake No. 2 :: Choosing the destination wedding location prematurely

“Let’s get married in Paris!” says Joe Loversfield.  “That would be awesome!” says Moneyless Melinda. {or vice versa}

Roadblock Tip :: Begin choosing your location with well though out ideas.  Include location features, benefits and expense details (wedding, couple’s travel(s), guests travel) that you would like to consider.  These ideas can then be matched with location possibilities for your to review further.  Your list of possible locations will be more beneficial that the list of locations you have at the top of your head.

We don’t like being the bearer of bad news.  However, it is absolutely necessary to properly outline your wedding budget prior to making any other wedding related decisions (destination wedding or not).  This goes much deeper than having a magical figure floating around in your head.  Hearing that you have about $XYZ to spend is such a huge pet peeve of mine.  This is not Let’s Make a Deal.  I’m not Monty Hall.  Nor am I Wayne Brady.  We only work with fact based figures.  This is the only way to successfully know what you’re up against.

Aside from the need to know your actual financial wedding parameters and sources from which these funds will derive from, you will also need to know if your destination wedding location will offer a cohesive fit.  In other words, prematurely setting your sights on Paris, France when you should realistically move towards it’s Canadian counterpart Paris, Ontario will save you anguish in the end.

To be continued…

[To your precious nuptial :: Cheers!]

There’s no denying the fact that there is a growing number of engaged couples choosing to host a destination wedding.  Why is this?  The elevated sense of the value of a dollar has couples becoming breaking the creative mold while seeking more bang for their buck.  Along with this factor, as echo boomers begin to plan their weddings, they too are seeking to break a mold of their own:  the mold of their baby booming parents.

We can’t help but notice that as the number of destination weddings are on a rise, so are the decision making mistakes.  To help you grasp a smooth start to your destination wedding planning adventure, we’ll outline a five pitfalls to avoid in the road.  Join us tomorrow as we begin this two day series.

[To your precious nuptial :: Cheers!]

Scouting fabulous destination wedding locations, of course!

We’ve been hard at work, keeping up with trends, meeting reputable vendors, making wonderful contacts and getting a first hand view at fabulous locations.  It was our pleasure to absorb first hand information for over a dozen local resorts.  Houston couples seeking a destination wedding is only a direct flight away to the fabulous beaches of Cancun and Riviera Maya.

Stay tuned for more pictures and supporting details.  We’ll be sure to post images and details soon!

[To your destination wedding  :: Cheers!]

As a continuation to Part One and Two of this series, here are two other destination wedding planning options to consider:

Local Destination Wedding Planner

Defined :: A local based wedding planner that specializes in destination weddings.  For example, if you are located in Houston, a Houston wedding planner that offers destination wedding services would be a local destination wedding planner.  The local destination wedding planner may work a specific region or they may market themselves globally.

Scene ::  Destination weddings of varying size that pose an elevated degree of complexity.  These weddings are generally totally customized or an upgraded personalized resort destination wedding.

Pros :: A destination wedding planner is very well versed in the details of wedding planning.  They are able to assist you with vendor scouting, budget tracking, etiquette guidance, design consultations, et cetera.  You will have the opportunity to bond and build trust with someone that you’re able to meet on more than a few occasions.

Cons :: A destination wedding planner my not be able to offer you travel specific assistance.  We suggest you steer away from planners that market themselves globally.  Just as the best travel agents are knowledgeable when dealing with specific regions, destination wedding planners are best are learning region specifics.  It’s never good to expect expert assistance on the entire world.  Using a firm of planners specializing various locations may assist with this hindrance.

Expectations :: Expect to receive customized assistance on the wedding planning portion of your destination wedding.  You will need to seek the assistance from a certified seller of travel when going this route.

Destination Local Wedding Planner

Defined ::  A wedding planner local to the destination in which you are planning your nuptials.  For example, if you are planning your destination wedding in St. Thomas.  A wedding planner located in St. Thomas would be a destination local wedding planner.

Scene :: Destination weddings of any degree of size and complexity

Pros :: A destination local wedding planner will be the expert on inner workings of your destination.  He/she will be able to offer tried and true options based on his/her local expert destination knowledge.

Cons :: You will not have the option of truly getting to know your wedding planner when using this option.  You will need to rely on referrals and what he/she has told you, as you may only meet this person upon pre-wedding arrival or twice at most.

Expectations ::  Expect heavy distance planning usage options.

[To your precious nuptial :: Cheers!]

Destination Wedding Planning Options ::

• Destination Weddings Planning Options :: INTRODUCTION
• Destination Weddings Planning Options :: PART ONE — DIY Planning and Travel Agency
• Destination Weddings Planning Options :: PART TWO – Destination Wedding Specialist and Destination Wedding Coordinator
• Part Three and Four — (Coming this week)

Destination Wedding Personality Quiz::

• Are you an ideal couple for a destination wedding?

Precious Nuptials & Destinations 2010-2011 Destination Wedding Trends::

• 2010-2011 :: A Look At Destination Weddings

Destination Wedding Photography

• Photography Options & The Destination Wedding

20 Elements of a Successful Destination Wedding

• 20 Elements of a Successful Destination Wedding :: Day 1
• 20 Elements of a Successful Destination Wedding :: Day 2
• 20 Elements of a Successful Destination Wedding :: Day 3
• 20 Elements of a Successful Destination Wedding :: Finale!

Stay tuned…

[To your precious nuptial :: Cheers!]