Photo courtesy of Zephyr Cove Resort/Lake Tahoe Cruises.
Take your wedding on the road and create an event to remember for your family and friends! Whether your wedding takes place just a few hours from home or on another continent, planning is the key to making your destination wedding. Here are our five tips for planning that will keep you on track.
Photo courtesy of The Ridge Tahoe
Location, location, location
This may seem obvious, but choosing the location for your destination wedding is the place to start. There are many factors to consider. What’s your vibe as a couple? If you’re outdoorsy and adventurous, maybe a destination wedding in South Lake Tahoe during the winter season fits your style. What time of year are you hoping to be married? Tropical locations usually have a rainy season, when rates are lower but your chances of a sun-drenched beach wedding are lower, too. The best months to host a wedding at a popular destination are also the best for vacation travelers, so expect that rates will jump and crowds will be bigger. Be sure to check marriage license regulations in the location you are considering. Many foreign countries have residency issues you need to know in advance.
Photo courtesy of Zephyr Cove Resort/Lake Tahoe Cruises.
Share your plans
As soon as you have decided on a destination for your wedding, let friends and family know! Send save-the-date cards at least four months in advance, even longer if you’ve already secured the venue and date. Inviting someone to a destination wedding is asking them to spend their vacation days – and funds – at your wedding, which might not work for everyone. By giving them plenty of notice, they have more time to save for the plane ticket and accommodations. If your guests live within driving distance of your destination wedding location, you might organize carpools to help guests save money.
Photo courtesy of Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel
Budget
Before you put the deposit down on that swanky beach resort make sure you’ve factored in all the budget items. Everything from airline tickets to bridal attire needs to be considered before you can get an accurate picture of the bottom line. Wedding budgets can quickly get out of control, but even more so for a destination wedding. Shop ahead for airline tickets, ask local hotels about group rates, and consider holding your ceremony on a day of the week other than Saturday, which might gain you a discount. Sticking close to your wedding budget may be more difficult as your wedding day approaches, so beware of last-minute changes or additions. Many destination wedding locations in South Lake Tahoe – like Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel and The Ridge Tahoe – offer guests the flexibility of on-site accommodations, making the expense of additional transportation unnecessary.
Photo courtesy of Beach Retreat and Lodge at Tahoe.
Help!
Even the most in-control wedding couple may have a hard time planning every single detail of their destination wedding. Distance makes the small details harder, so this is one situation when you absolutely need a wedding planner. Ideally you will be able to make a trip or two ahead of time to secure your venue and vendors – and find a wedding planner as well.
Remember your guests
You have invited your wedding guests to spend a significant amount of time, money, and effort to be a part of your wedding, and you need to make sure they are treated as guests. Take the time to put together an itinerary with daily activities, local attractions, discounts, restaurants, and wedding-related events all in one document. As an extra gesture, you might create welcome baskets to leave in your guest’s rooms with bottled waters and snacks. Find out in advance which of your guests might have special needs, such as a wheelchair or special menu requests. Taking the time to show your guests these courtesies goes a long way in making them feel included in your special day.
Photo courtesy of The Ridge Tahoe.
Ready to plan your destination wedding? Check out South Lake Tahoe – the perfect destination any time of year.
