image courtesy of Four Seasons Nevis
Welcome to value-added Tuesday. Today’s fun kicks off with some helpful tips for those interested in destination weddings, the subject of this week’s cover story. This afternoon, look for our roundup of 5 unique and interesting bachelor weekends. (It’s not what you think.)
Thinking of taking the plunge and getting married on a beach somewhere? Who better to go to for advice than someone whoâs gone before you? We called up Liz Scott, a 29 year-old Manhattan resident we know who just went through the planning of a Florida wedding. This morning, she takes the reins here in blog-ville in order to share some helpful tips for brides-to-be.
1) SEE THE SITES
Donât make the decision on a site without seeing it first â preferably, pick a destination you already know and like well. Also, your site visit is not a vacation â donât expect to have a lot of fun visiting churches and reception halls.
2) KNOW YOUR ESCAPE ROUTE
Before you commit, make sure you check flight schedules to see what options are for your next destination â the honeymoon. Your first choice may get waylaid if there arenât direct or single connection flights to the destination. That could mean honeymooning in St. Louis instead of St. Thomas!
3) THEREâS NO SUCH THING AS A FREE LUNCH…UNTIL YOUâRE THE ONE BUYING
Donât assume that your gesture of inviting lots of people at your destination wedding wonât be appreciated â I was surprised to see how many people suddenly got in the mood to fly to Florida with the promise of a free meal and a discounted hotel room. 4) SPEAKING OF HOTEL ROOMS…
Book anything hotel-related early and make sure your guests do the same. Hotels fill up fast â sometimes several months before the wedding (like ours did unexpectedly). Your wedding night is no time to be calling down for extra cots in the bridal suite.
5) TIME IS MONEY. NO, REALLY.
You might think itâs a snap to do it yourself instead of leaving it to a wedding planner, but after the fourteenth call with the reception hall, which wants to charge you $7 per person for biscotti with the coffee, you may wish youâd paid someone to handle the headaches.
6) WE ARE ALL ADULTS HERE. EXCEPT WHEN WEâRE NOT.
Even adults need to be entertained, and the last thing you need once everyoneâs arrived is people coming to you and asking, “So, what are we doing?” Print out a packet of materials for everyone, detailing whatâs to do in the area. (Google maps are your friend â unless you want to give directions all day.)
7) KEEP YOUR (OR SOMEONE ELSEâS) FEET ON THE GROUND
Odds are you wonât be at your wedding site every weekend prior to the big day. Itâs helpful if you have a close contact (parent or other relative) there to get things done when you canât be there. Otherwise, have your assigned wedding coordinator at the hotel or reception hall on speed dial.
8) EXPECT TO PAY MORE
Add 25% to any quote or estimate you get â at the end of the day that is the reality of what you will be paying.
9) IT REALLY IS WORTH IT
Destination weddings are absolutely more difficult to plan, but in the end, itâs worth it.
— Elizabeth Scott
