No matter where your friends and family members are located, making sure they feel included on your big day is still possible! Be it hosting a remote reception or sending party packages; any thoughtful gesture goes a long way!
Add an engaging element to your ceremony with a unity ritual such as mixing sand, planting trees or hand laying. Even your guests can participate by sending in photos!
1. Pick a date.
Once you have made major decisions (like when and where to tie the knot!) it’s time to think about small details – like choosing your date. Doing this will allow you to plan when and where your trip will go while also ensuring that friends & family will be available on your big day.
Considerations should also be given to the season when making decisions for your wedding. Summer weddings can be scorching hot; winter nuptials can be cold; and spring and fall ceremonies could bring with them rain showers or busy schedules of other ceremonies – ultimately the decision should come down to what feels magical and comfortable for you and your guests.
Finally, remember it’s perfectly acceptable to limit the guest list if necessary. There may be many reasons for doing this – perhaps your venue has an upper capacity limit or you want the wedding guests to remain equal in number between guests – but don’t feel pressured into inviting anyone who makes you uncomfortable or makes them think they have earned their spot at your ceremony.
As your wedding date nears, create a “here or there” list to help prioritize and avoid being overwhelmed by planning. Additionally, this allows vendors to plan accordingly; for instance, sending pictures of what kind of centerpiece you are seeking allows florists to create mockups that give an indication of what awaits them at your venue.
2. Decide on a budget.
When planning a long-distance relationship, setting expectations early can help create the wedding of your dreams. Be sure to fully understand each other’s must-haves, and develop a budget that works for both of you.
Create a “here or there” list to determine what can be completed at home versus what needs to be taken care of at the venue of your wedding. Items like choosing bridesmaid dresses or sending out invitations from home are invaluable – these tasks can be completed early and without incurring travel costs.
Once you know how much you can realistically spend, begin saving and try to make some extra cash by playing slot games on websites as per yoakimbridge.com! Although it can be challenging, setting aside money as soon as possible is key for an affordable wedding. That could mean cutting back on lunches out, canceling unneeded streaming services or simply setting aside additional savings each month. For destination weddings it may also be worthwhile setting up a separate honeymoon fund that can only be used towards expenses for travel arrangements and getaway expenses.
3. Pick a venue.
Venue selection can be one of the first steps toward planning a memorable wedding event, and should play an integral part of that decision. Finding an environment that embodies your desired theme or atmosphere for your big day can make all the difference; when selecting one at Chandler Hill everything is included so there are no extra bills incurred when setting up the day of.
Consider how far away the venue is from your home and what the commute will be like for guests coming from out-of-town – you don’t want to make their journey an impossible feat if they must fly a million miles and change planes just to attend!
Consideration must also be given to season and weather when planning travel plans. Certain destinations are susceptible to storms, high temperatures or extreme heat during certain parts of the year which may deter people from attending.
Before choosing a venue for your wedding celebration, it is a good idea to visit it beforehand to ensure it fits with the aesthetic you have in mind for your big day. Furthermore, this gives you a great opportunity to meet with your planner and ensure they understand your vision of how it should unfold.
Make sure to inquire with the venue about local vendors; they should have an extensive list of providers they work with, which can help you select the ideal vendors for your event quickly and effortlessly. Not only is this timesaving, but supporting local business is always appreciated! Additionally, ask if there’s a shuttle service – this will come in very handy for guests traveling from far distances!
4. Book your vendors.
Once you have selected your venue and sent out invitations digitally, the next step is securing vendors to make your visions come to life.
Consider including unique touches such as live music or art into your ceremony. Some couples also like to include extra activities that highlight their location such as group tours or tastings – this is sure to create a memorable wedding weekend, especially for guests traveling.
Meet all your vendors either in person (or via video calls) to establish their working styles. This is particularly important when hiring vendors who will be responsible for crafting the wedding day of your dreams, such as florists, hair & makeup stylists and videographers. Mock-ups can also be helpful; be sure to share photos of what you envision with each vendor so they understand exactly what your vision is without miscommunication occurring between vendors.
5. Plan your travel.
Whoever coined the saying, “Absence makes the heart grow fonder,” likely wasn’t referring to long-distance marriages. A wedding far from home requires guests to travel and spend time away from work or school just for your event, making planning difficult and budgeting essential. Therefore, giving ample notice so your loved ones can plan accordingly is key – send save-the-dates eight-12 months ahead, with official invites following five-6 months later so they have time to plan and book travel arrangements as needed – giving everyone time and budgets appropriately for budgetary planning purposes as well. Send save-the-dates eight-12 months prior, giving ample opportunity for your loved ones.
Attentiveness to location selection, as well as events, restaurants and attractions that could add something extra special to your big day is of equal importance. A winter destination wedding in Colorado’s mountain towns could provide stunning scenery for photographs and snow sports like skiing and apres ski – while New Orleans with its cobblestone streets, jazz clubs and upscale restaurants is sure to create an elegant city celebration of love!
Finally, speak to your fiance about the marriage license requirements in the country where you plan to marry. From blood tests and waiting periods, these regulations can vary by region or country and will help you determine if or when a legal ceremony should take place at home prior to or following the symbolic destination wedding ceremony.
If possible, visit your chosen destination at least twice before your wedding. This will allow you to fine-tune details and see how guests respond; this step may also hold special significance if it marks an important part of your relationship (ie: where you got engaged or traveled together for the first time).