The topic of ways to streamline the cost of your destination wedding is at the forefront of your mind. Guess what. You’re not alone, but before we get to that, there’s an elephant on my lap that I need to remove! Outside of our last post, it has been such an incredibility LONG time since we’ve had an opportunity to blog. I cringe at the thought. Really, I do. Time has been good to us and there are many, many topics that we can’t wait to share with you. Okay, back to our topic at hand: ways to streamline the cost of your destination wedding.
There are words or word combinations that simply do not belong next to the word “wedding” and especially not YOUR wedding. Personally, I shiver at the thought of word cheap in correlation to anything wedding. Your wedding will be many things, but cheap should be no where near, even if you do streamline here and there. Right? Right. Please don’t look for ways to cheapen your destination wedding. Instead, let’s discuss ways to streamline the overall cost surrounding your destination wedding.
Pick an Easy to Get to Destination
Travel cost are a major part of the destination wedding expense. Selecting a destination that is an easy travel for you and your guests will not only shave the cost, but it will also cut down on travel time. Thus, it’s a win-win to know that less travel time means increased time at the destination. As part of the destination wedding travel expense, it’s typical to make at least one planning trip as part of the planning process. For the wedding couple and anyone involved in the decision making process, this doubles the travel. An easy travel destination is a great way to trim the overall travel cost and time of travel.
Don’t Invite Everyone You Know
Don’t feel obligated to invite the friend you haven’t seen or heard from in the past five years. Many couples consider a destination wedding knowing that it will drastically trim the size of their guest list. Couples also consider the idea of a lower guest count a deciding factor in reducing the overall wedding’s expenses. Keeping the guest list to immediate family and friends will not only streamline the cost, but it will also make it easier to create a weekend experience for everyone that attends.
Let the Beauty of the Destination Spearhead the Look and Feel for Your Wedding and Reception
Weather tropical, exotic or ancient, take a close look at your destination, wedding ceremony and reception locations. Embrace the location and be okay with less is more. Let the destination do the work for you.
Think LOCAL.
From florals, decor and more, think local. When the budget allows, bring your must have vendors with you and go local with everything else. When dealing with vendors, local vendors won’t require travel and lodging to service you wedding. Local flowers won’t have the overhead importing specific blooms. While we understand the need to use key vendors that are local to you and not the destination, we also know that thinking local throughout the planning process definitely streamlines the cost of a destination wedding.
Remain Flexible
This is simple: remain flexible. Don’t set your sights on absolute specifics. Considering alternatives and being open to expert suggests are key in streamlining your destination wedding cost. After all, the ideal destination wedding bride is one that can roll with the planning. 😉
Take Full Advantage of the Resort’s All Inclusivity
As you create your wedding weekend experience, use the activities and options available on resort level for planned wedding weekend events. Whether a welcome cocktail party or farewell brunch, your host hotel as an option will stream down guest management and travel cost.
Work With a Wedding Planner/Travel Agent
You could take on planning your destination wedding yourself, but you don’t have to. Frankly, you shouldn’t. A good wedding planner will assist in all of the planning and put you in connection with the key vendors. A good travel agent will help you secure a block of rooms at your host resort and assist with everyone’s travel logistics/needs. These are the two most important vendors to help cut back on costly mistakes that can arise in planning a destination wedding.
Let’s get to planning! Share your ideas on streamlining the cost of planning a destination wedding in the comments section below.
Cheers!
