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Tips & Advice
A wedding planner may be a must for your destination wedding. If you don’t have the time or the money to do it all yourself, you might be surprised that a wedding planner is a very affordable option. They know their own turf, save you time, make phone calls to all your vendors, make sure things run smoothly so you don’t have to stress, and work within the budget you set them, getting you the best deals with all the right people. So why not turn the planning over to somebody who’s already very familiar with what’s available in the spot you’ve planned for your destination wedding?
So how do you start? Once you have your budget in place and you’ve both decided you need some help, it’s time to start looking for that perfect person to make your wedding dream a reality. The best way is to get a reference from someone you trust – that friend whose wedding you attended in Hawaii, or your boss, co-worker or sister-in-law. It’s best to find someone who’s had a wedding like yours, but if not, be sure to find out what their suggested wedding planner specializes in, so you know she’ll be right for you, too. Ask about training and credentials, whether they’re referred or not, just so you know what you’re getting.
You can check out ads in the national bridal magazines, look in the Yellow Pages in the area where your wedding will be, or inquire on our contact page and we'll match you with qualified, prescreened planners for your destination! When you talk with them, make sure they’ve worked a lot in your budget range. If they are certified with a national organization, that’s a good sign – if you’re worried, go check this out. And remember, they can do the whole wedding, or maybe just line up vendors for you for a lesser fee. What’s important to you is important to them, and they’ll work with you in whatever capacity you need.
If you can’t find someone through these avenues, you can check with nationally listed organizations like June Wedding Inc. (707-865-9894, www.junewedding.com), The Association of Bridal Consultants (860-355-7000, www.bridalassn.com) or Weddings Beautiful Worldwide (804-342-6061, www.weddingsbeautiful.com).
Also, your destination wedding hotel, the local church or even a large local restaurant may have people on board to do the planning for you. The concierge is a good place to start, and you can do that when you’re checking on dates at the hotel. They’ll know the local businesses and can tell you which ones do the most weddings in the hotel or even sometimes in the area itself, so find out what’s available there.
When you’re ready to hire someone, ask for a portfolio and be sure to nail down a ballpark price. Also, ask them whether they will be present at your wedding (or will they send someone else), and are they familiar with etiquette in the destination of your choice. You’ll want to know how many of these types of weddings they’ve done, their contact information (including cell phone, in case you need them at the wedding), what range of services they offer and whether they are familiar with licenses and/or permits and insurance that might be needed for your destination wedding.
Make sure you’re comfortable with the planner you choose or you’ll still be worrying before your big day. Ask to be kept updated and make it a habit to check in from time to time if you haven’t heard from them about something. With some of the stress off you, you’ll be ready to shine at your destination wedding. |
