In this third part of our series on destination weddings, we’ll discuss finding a suitable venue in your location of choice.
After you settle on the location for your destination wedding, it’s time to get down to the specifics. Finding a location to hold the big event!
Planning this part of your destination wedding won’t be that different from planning any other kind of wedding except that it may not be convenient for you to visit the venue in person to make sure it’s exactly what you have in mind. This is one reason it’s a good idea to consider a wedding planner/coordinator who is located in your chosen location. They will be experienced in dealing with various venues and vendors. If you aren’t using a wedding planner, make sure to search the internet for reviews, comments or complaints about the venue. Try searching using the name of the venue and additional words such as complaints or reviews. If you are using a travel agent, a good travel agent should be able to help you by providing some recommendations as well.
The first thing to consider, is if the venue will work with the date of your event. If your wedding date is non-negotiable, you will have to find a venue that has availability for the specific date you’ve chosen. If you can be flexible with your wedding date, your chances of booking the desired venue is much greater.
Another important thing to consider is whether the desired venue has rooms available to accommodate the size of your ceremony and reception. Even if you are planning an outdoor event, unforeseen circumstances, such as acclimate weather, may force you to alter your plans and a back-up plan is always a good idea.
Where you will put your wedding party and all of people who are coming to your festivities? You are, after all, assembling a small community even if just for the weekend, and you need to think through all the details in advance. Depending on your location, you may have several choices of where to accommodate your guests during the days and nights of your event. Most venues that advertise themselves as honeymoon resorts will have accommodations on-site, but don’t assume anything, make sure to ask. Some other choices to consider might be rooms on-site at the chosen venue itself, in a rented beach house, a bed and breakfast, a hotel, a resort, or some other kind of suitable accommodations.
Here’s some things to consider before selecting a venue and guest accomodations.
• Is the facility suitable for your ceremony and/or reception?
• If you will be selecting a few different places for your guests to stay, are they all convenient to the ceremony and reception sites and other planned activities?
• Are group rates available for several rooms? Must you guarantee a certain number of guests to obtain a group rate? Is there in a special telephone number for your guests to call to reserve their rooms?
• How far in advance most rooms be reserved?
• Will your guests be given priority for suites and upgrades?
• How convenient is the destination to the Airport? What kind of transportation is available?
• Are there activities or places of interest for your guests?
• If you are inviting families, are children allowed? Is child care available? Are their activities for children?
• Is the venue accustomed to catering to groups? Do the proprietors seem wedding friendly?
• Are there any perks such as a complementary bridal suite, changing rooms, hospitality suite, or spa services?
• Are there options for all inclusive wedding packages?
• Is the venue handicapped accessible?
• Is it possible to host a rehearsal dinner or a next day brunch in a separate space at or near the location?
• Is there a wedding coordinator on site, or someone who is experienced with weddings? Is there a charge for this service?
If choosing a resort, is a wedding honeymoon resorts package offered?Once you have considered all of these questions, you can feel confident that the venue will be able to accommodate your needs as well as the needs of your guests.
P.S. In our next post, we’ll discuss inviting your guests.
In our next post, we’ll discuss inviting your guests.
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