There are several things to consider when planning a destination wedding. Here is a list to get you thinking:

• Budget - consider how much you're comfortable having your guests pay for a 3 night vacation. Typically, budgets start at approximately $800 per person for a 3 night, all-inclusive vacation including air, hotel, transfers, meals, drinks, tips and taxes. Remember though, you get what you pay for.

• Dates - Keep in mind hurricane season (late June through early November), holidays (Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, Mother's Day, Father's Day), school calendars, and weather. You also want to make sure you give your guests enough time to plan and save for their trip. Sending a Save The Date a year of more before you wedding is a good idea.

• Guests - Don’t be upset if not everyone on your guest list cannot join you due to time or money constraints. Generally, about 50% of those you invite will be able to attend your destination wedding. Most couples have a reception back at home to celebrate with those who were unable to attend.

• Destination - Try to keep travel times within reason. For example, you won't want to plan a Hawaii wedding if guests need to fly for 9 hours and can only stay for 3 nights. Likewise, the more exotic islands can often require multiple airline connections to get there. Assume that all guests will need a passport. Most resorts will require the bride, groom and witnesses to arrive 3 full days prior to the wedding ceremony.

• Resort - Do you envision something small and intimate, or some loaded with activities and energy? I highly recommend all-inclusive resorts that include meals and drinks. This makes it so much easier for your guests to budget for their trip. And, many all-inclusive resorts include a semi-private reception with their wedding packages, which saves you money. Perhaps money that could be spent on a nice upgrade to the honeymoon suite!

• Ceremony Location - Beach, gazebo, garden, chapel? Resorts usually have many options for you to choose from based on your desires and number of guests. Resorts also have a back up plan and location in case of inclement weather.

• Ceremony Type - There are two types of ceremonies for destination weddings. You can have a LEGAL ceremony, where you are legally married in your destination and receive a marriage certificate that is recognized at home. Legal ceremonies often cost a little more and require extra paperwork and occasionally blood tests. Or, you can have a SYMBOLIC ceremony that has no legal holding. To have a symbolic ceremony, you would be legally married at home by your clergy or courthouse before you travel. At your destination wedding, you will celebrate your union as if it were your actual wedding with flowers, music, vows and other ceremony details. Your guests would not know the difference between a legal and symbolic ceremony. Approximately 50% of all destination weddings are symbolic.

1-2 years before your wedding date

• Choose your destination - Choosing the right destination is the hardest, but most exciting part! Couples can spend months browsing through travel magazines and websites in search of the perfect destination. Budget often plays a major role as couples consider the cost and convenience of air travel to their destination options. Marriage laws and residency requirements for certain destinations also come into play. With so much to consider, couples often struggle with this initial decision. We understand this, and hope that you'll let our expertise be your guide.

• Select your resort - This is another fun step! Often, couples will fall in love with a resort that they've read about and choose it, regardless of it's location. There are many things to consider when selecting the resort... Do you want it to be for adults only, or family friendly? Do you want it to be all-inclusive (highly recommended!) or close to the airport? You can be confident in our resort recommendations, knowing that we will only offer resorts with proven track records. Remember, we're been to many of these resorts and destinations and you can rely on our experience.

• Confirm your wedding date with the resort - Destination weddings take place every day of the week, so finding an available date is not usually a problem if you have some flexibility. The more set you are on a particular date, the earlier you should begin planning.

• Make your room reservation - As soon as your wedding date is confirmed with the resort, we will book your room. This seals your plans, giving you the assurance that you in fact are going to have a destination wedding! You can take a deep breath and relax knowing that the major decision making is done.

1 year before your wedding date

• Send Save The Date invitations - Usually couples will send a Save The Date invitation as soon as their wedding date and location are confirmed. You can choose anything from a Save The Date email to refrigerator magnets to a formal printed postcard. Some couples design a monogram or logo for their wedding. Some set up a website. The possibilities are endless! Since we take on the task of travel planning for your guests, you'll want to include the contact information for Shelli's Vacation Travel so your guests know who to call to make their room reservations. We will customize each guests' travel arrangements to fit their specific needs.

• Shop for your dress - If you haven't already done so, now is the time! Remember that you'll want to carry your wedding dress with you while you travel. It will be one of your carry-ons for the flight. Destination wedding dresses come in all styles from beachy sundresses to formal gowns. Whatever you choose, it will reflect your personality and style. Happy shopping! 

• Check your passport - If you already have a passport, make sure it will be valid for at least 6 months after you plan to travel for your destination wedding. If you don't have a passport yet, you'll want to apply for one now. Also, when making your travel reservations, make sure the name on your passport is what you give for the name on your travel documents.

6 months before your wedding date

• Talk it up! - Some guests have probably booked their travel by now, but most will wait until your wedding date draws nearer. Keep talking to your family and friends about your wedding.  Don't be afraid to show them your excitement! Usually guests only need a small deposit to lock in their travel reservations. Sharing this with them early and often will motivate them to confirm their trip. We are more than willing to send a note to your guests inviting them to contact us for a travel quote. It is sometimes nice to get a reminder from someone other than the bride and groom.

2-3 months before your wedding date

• Finalize the details - The details of your ceremony and reception will start to really take shape. You will be making decisions on things like flowers, menus, music, and decorations. You will also make a contingency plan in case of inclement weather. Most resorts have a wedding coordinator on site that we will work with to plan the fine details of your wedding day.

• Finalize legal documents - Make sure you have all of the legal documents in order that are required for you to be married. Do you need notarized copies of anything? Do you need anything translated? We will help you with these details early on, but should have everything ready to go at least 2 months prior.

• Send formal invitations - Many couples choose to send a formal invitation to their guests. You may be having a reception at home after your destination wedding. In this case, you can announce your destination wedding and invite guests to your reception. Again, you'll want to include contact information for Shelli's Vacation Travel so last minute wedding guests can easily make their travel arrangements.

• Final payment - travel arrangements usually need to be paid in full 45-60 days prior to your departure date.

1 month prior to your wedding date

• Finalize everything - All of the details for your wedding ceremony and reception should be finalized. You should begin a packing list so you don't forget anything important when you leave for the airport.

Right before you depart

• Prepare to travel - Make sure you have held your mail at the post office, set up an out-of-office auto reply for your email at work and home, and have given key people your travel itinerary. Make copies of your passports to keep in each piece of luggage just in case. Double check that you have all legal marriage documents in your carry-on. 

Bon Voyage!!! Now go get married!

Before publishing our list of recommended destination wedding locations, we carefully thought of aspects most important when planning destination weddings. We chose locations based on travel time, legal requirements, all-inclusive resort availability, cost and weather. Of course, there are other destinations (St. Lucia, Antigua, St. John, St. Thomas, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, just to name a few), and really, the world is yours for the choosing. The destinations we have listed here are the ones most frequently chosen by our wedding couples.

ARUBA:  Want a destination wedding in the Caribbean, but don't want to worry about a hurricane? Think Aruba. Aruba's the place for couples who want a Caribbean beach wedding and honeymoon, yet don't want to be concerned that their plans may coincide with hurricane season. The reason? Aruba is located so far south that it is well outside the hurricane belt. Aruba is different from most other Caribbean Islands. It doesn't have the lush and tropical landscape that some vacationers expect. But it has a beauty and charm all its own. And the temperature averages in the low 80 degrees year-round - perfect for a honeymoon spent getting some sun on the beautiful beaches.

All civil wedding must take place before the church wedding, either in the US or in Aruba. Civil ceremonies are conducted inside the City Hall (Bureau Burgerlijke Stand) in Oranjestad.

BAHAMAS:  The Islands of the Bahamas is a 100,000-square-mile tropical paradise that claims more than 700 islands and 2500 cays and lies a mere 50 miles off the Florida coast. Once called the “Isles of Perpetual June” by George Washington, the Bahamas is blessed with a tropical climate that makes it a year-round eloping and wedding destination.

If you’re considering to elope or having a wedding in the Bahamas do consider the seasons; the best time to visit the Bahamas is in the summer, which falls between June and August. While winter can be surprisingly cold, daily high temperatures in the Bahamas rarely drop below 60°F from December to February, and the sun shines an average of 320 days out of the year.

JAMAICA (Negril, Ocho Rios and Montego Bay): Jamaica has long been a great destination for eloping, destination weddings and honeymoons. Why? In a word - beauty. The sunsets, the beaches, the pampering. It all adds up to one incredibly romantic destination. Although you may not want to leave your resort, there are a great deal of outdoor activities to keep the newly-married couple busy. Those who have their weddings in Jamaica have some great adventures awaiting them as Jamaica has lots of outdoor excitement. Jamaica happens to be one of the easiest destinations to be legally married.

MEXICO (Cancun, Riviera Maya, Puerto Vallarta, Cabo, Cozumel, Mazatlan):  Mexico is known for it's great beaches and Spanish hospitality. Flights to Mexico are abundant, making it an easy choice for destination weddings. With so many communities dotting the shoreline, Mexico is sure to have the perfect wedding location for every couple.

Civil Mexican weddings are legally recognized in the US. Blood tests for HIV and other STD's are required and must be perform by a certified, Mexican doctor. Your on-site wedding coordinator will assist in arranging the doctor's appointment. You can not take the blood test in your country and bring the results to the Resort. Please be aware that if any of the results turned positive, you will not be able to get legally married.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC (Punta Cana, Puerto Plata): A Dominican Republic wedding can fulfill every dream scenario, from lavish affairs to simple and romantic ceremonies. The island's charming historical quality and friendly people almost beckon you to choose a Dominican Republic wedding, with its inherently romantic atmosphere and stunning natural beauty. World-class service here will complement a Dominican Republic wedding so that nothing will be left to chance. 

Before holding a Dominican Republic wedding, couples need to have their legal documents translated into Spanish. We recommend http://www.wedo.com.do/

There are two types of ceremonies for destination weddings. You can have a LEGAL ceremony, where you are legally married in your destination and receive a marriage certificate that is recognized at home. Legal ceremonies often cost a little more and require extra paperwork and occasionally blood tests. Or, you can have a SYMBOLIC ceremony that has no legal holding. To have a symbolic ceremony, you would be legally married at home by your clergy or courthouse before you travel. At your destination wedding, you will celebrate your union as if it were your actual wedding with flowers, music, vows and other ceremony details. Your guests would not know the difference between a legal and symbolic ceremony. Approximately 50% of all destination weddings are symbolic.

Mexico: Only the civil ceremony is legally recognized. A religious ceremony has no legal bearing and does not replace in any way the binding Civil Marriage. Religious ceremonies or renewal of vows ceremonies are symbolic. They are performed by a non-denominational minister. The bride and groom will receive a symbolic marriage certificate without legal bearing.

Dominican Republic: Civil ceremonies are performed by a judge and Catholic ceremonies are performed by a catholic priest. Both ceremonies are legally recognized.
Renewal vows are symbolic weddings, they are performed by a non-denominational minister and it does not have a legal bearing.

Jamaica: Civil and religious ceremonies are performed by a minister, both are legally recognized. Renewal of vows are also performed by a minister but they do not have legal bearing and couple must be previously married.

Bahamas: Civil and religious ceremonies are performed by a minister. Both are legally recognized. If the ceremony is civil the minister will not mention God. Symbolic weddings and renewal of vows are also performed by a minister but they do not have legal bearing.

Aruba: The civil ceremony is performed by a judge and it is legally recognized. The religious ceremonies and renewal of vows are performed by a non-denominational minister and they are not legally recognized. The couple need to have their marriage certificate in order to perform this ceremony.

Costa Rica: The civil ceremony is performed by a judge and it is legally recognized. The religious ceremonies and renewal of vows are performed by a non-denominational minister and they do not have a legal bearing.
 

Destination weddings are more popular than ever. Whether you are headed for the beach, the mountains, or your hometown, you want to make sure that your gown arrives safely. With a little advance planning, you will be able to relax and enjoy the trip.

Wedding gowns are large! Fitting them into tight spaces is often a challenge. Bridal salons carefully pack bridal gowns into extra long garment bags with the train folded up (usually there is a bust form to hold the bodice of the gown in place). Although some brides like the idea of shipping their gown ahead to their destination, we definitely wouldn't recommend it. No amount of insurance will take the place of your gown if it does not arrive safely. Hand carry your bridal gown - it is too important to entrust to anyone else.

Traveling by plane can be tricky with their endless restrictions on luggage, and they change all the time. The best thing to do is to check with your airline shortly before your trip for their specific requirements. The most important thing to know is that you should NEVER put your wedding gown in checked baggage! The risk is too high that it could arrive damaged, or heaven forbid, not at all. Then what would you do?

With any luck, the flight attendant might allow you to hang the garment bag in the first class closet (everyone has a soft spot for brides). This is what usually happens. Gowns are also often layed flat on top of the bags in the overhead compartments.

It is not only your wedding gown that you should make plans for - your accessories are also very important. Pack your shoes, tiara, and other accoutrements into a carry on bag. With all the limitations these days, you may have to ask your fiance or maid of honor to take your bag as one carry on item (remember, you also have the garment bag). Another option is to stuff your gown and accessories together into one carry on bag. I know it is terrible to think of cramming your beloved dress into a tiny bag, but you will need to have it professionally pressed when you arrive at your destination anyway. Be sure to keep your wedding jewelry in your purse. You should never let any jewelry out of your sight, but especially not your fabulous wedding jewelry!

So remember, carry all the important wedding day items with you at all times!

Save the Date cards are announcements that inform your guests of your future wedding in order to keep your special day free. They are essential when planning a destination wedding.

Save the Dates cards are generally sent to guests approximately 12 months in advance. This allows your guests to make the necessary plans to attend your wedding. Flights can be booked 330 days prior to travel. Rooms at the reosrt can often be booked over a year prior to travel. Guests will maybe need time to save up vacation days at work as well. You may be surprised by how many guests will turn your destination wedding into an entire family vacation. All of this takes time and planning, so let your guests know as early as possible.

Use your imagination, Save the Date Cards are not meant to be formal. There are many design options available. You can have them match your wedding invitations, magnets, brochure style, post card size, multiple layers, booklet style, you can add a picture of you and your fiancé, or embellishments to add a personal touch. There are very creative "passport" and "boarding pass" Save the Date cards! Magnets are popular, too.

   

Here are some guidelines on what your cards should state: your names, date of wedding, and your destination. Also, because Save the date Cards are a recent trend and many that have not attended a wedding recently may mistaken them for the actual invitation, be sure to include something along the lines of, “Invitation to follow."  This is usually placed at the bottom of the card. If you have a wedding website don’t forget to include the address for your guests to view. Here's a good example of wording for your Save the Dates:

We’re having a Destination Wedding!

We would love to share this special occasion in paradise with the people who mean so much to us.  We hope that you will “Save the Date” and prepare for a wonderful vacation!

We will be married at the luxurious El Dorado Royale, located in the Mayan Riviera, on December 31, 2010.  

We have been working with a dedicated destination wedding Travel Specialist to arrange the best travel packages for our wedding.  To ensure coordination of all planning, we encourage everyone to make their travel arrangements through Shelli Nornes.

Contact Shelli at 507-267-4857 or 877-483-0854, or by email at shelli@shellistravel.com to secure your travel and hotel accommodations today!

If you need to keep your guest list to a minimum, make a list of close family and friends whom you want to make sure will be able to attend and mail them a Save the Date Card, you do not need to send Save the Date Cards to everyone you are inviting but, every guest that receives a Save the Date Card must also receive an invitation. Here's a example of wording for your invitation:

It is with great joy that we,

Jessica and Justin

invite you to share
in the celebration of our love
as we exchange our marriage vows on
Saturday, the 20th of February, 2010
at the Paradisus Punta Cana Resort.

What could be more romantic
than a wedding in beautiful
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
where we will be surrounded by
family and friends as we say our vows
and celebrate this joyous occasion.
We hope that you will be among those
who share in this very special event.

For those who will not be able to attend,
we completely understand and know your love
and support will be felt across the miles.


Love,
Jessica and Justin