A destination wedding is unique and has something to offer for every couple. From romantic beaches to luxury resorts, many destinations are thought to be highly versatile for couples looking to celebrate their nuptials for multiple days with friends and family. Destination weddings are becoming more and more common. In fact, one in four weddings are destination weddings and a wedding planner plans half of all destination weddings. Brides often toy with the idea of a destination wedding but can’t seem to get past their initial concerns.

Finding Qualified Vendors

It can be difficult to find and qualify vendors outside the Continental U.S. This poses as a hurdle to many brides because they often do not receive recommendations or referrals. The benefit of hiring a wedding planner is that they can take a creative approach to finding licensed and reputable vendors to ensure a seamless event.

Communication with Vendors

One thing we’ve heard brides say about planning their own destination wedding is that it’s difficult to communicate with vendors and venue staff. We often refer to this as the “Island Time Problem” because we’ve found that many vendors don’t work at a fast-paced but rather take a laid-back approach to business. In this situation, a planner will make the most of your time with vendors whether it’s a phone call or in-person meeting. This method ensures that the vendor remains accountable for their contracted agreement.

Unexpected Expenses

There are often unexpected expenses in destination weddings. One major unexpected expense is increased taxes on goods and services. An experienced wedding planner can develop a strong budget for your wedding that includes unexpected expenses such as higher taxes for vendors’ services.

Time of Year

The ideal time of the year to schedule a destination wedding varies by region. For example, watch out for hurricane season in the South East and Caribbean Islands. Also, a wedding planner will advise you on choosing the right date while taking your guests travel expenses into consideration.