Event Planning is a career that I truly love and by now is something that you all know I am very passionate about. Recently I was reminiscing about all of the events that I have planned and it came to mind that there were still areas of the event planning industry that I wanted to explore. One of the main areas I felt compelled to explore was that of Destination Weddings.

As an event planner, I feel that it’s important to constantly be educating yourself, that you should keep up with industry trends and always be able to learn new things. This new aspect of weddings was a challenge I felt I was ready to take on. It’s not that I haven’t planned events in different cities than I live in, but the world of Destination Weddings is just different. The stars must have been aligned because shortly after the opportunity to be involved in Destination Weddings came up.

After years of event planning experience, I was feeling pretty confident in my abilities. I have worked in some pretty tough venues and been able to cope with some very demanding clients and vendors so I thought, “ I can definitely do this whole destination wedding thing!” Well I was in for quite the reality check … turns out planning an event from a different country and in a different time zone with somewhat of a language barrier and different work ethics is definitely harder than I thought.

Now that I feel I am getting the hang of things, I think that it’s important to pass along some of the things I have learned and most definitely some of the things I think that future destination wedding couples need to know:

1. There are costs that you do not think of

There are many costs associated with a destination wedding that you do not think of when you first dream of that beach wedding. Yes, you are going to an all-inclusive resort and that means that all of the food and alcohol is included for everyone but that does not necessarily mean that the events surrounding your wedding are free. Many resorts charge quite a bit for each private event and then on top of that have a charge per person for the food. Not only do the events have a cost, they also come with limited décor so that is a cost that you have to budget for. The beauty of a destination wedding is of course being outside, however some of the outdoor venues aren’t equipped with lighting or sound so this is an extra cost as well. This is where working with a planning company can be very helpful because they can guide you on these additional costs.

2. Sourcing vendors can be difficult

Many resorts only have a certain vendors that they allow you to work with for audio visual, lighting and décor. This isn’t always easy as many vendors have a certain style and sometimes that style may not completely mesh with what you are looking for. Some resorts allow you to choose your own vendors and although that may seem like what you would rather do, it is not always easy to find local vendors or get a sense of their reputation. Many resorts do also charge a fee to bring alternate vendors on site. Working relationships in other countries are built very differently and having the guidance of someone who has worked with the vendors before can definitely be helpful. The flip side of the coin is that if you want to bring your own service-providing vendors, such as photo, video, hair or makeup, you are not only paying for their services but also their travel and their accommodations. This can take up a large chunk of your budget.

3. This is supposed to be your vacation too!

One of the greatest things about a destination wedding is that it is a vacation for you and all of your guests. You want the experience to be fun and stress free for everyone … but also for yourself. If an issue comes up and your planner is on site with you, they are there to deal with it. With your events being planned mostly in outdoor locations there are always things that are out of your control. Having someone there who has dealt with last minute challenges can help to alleviate the stress and allow you to enjoy your time with family and friends. Most people plan a destination wedding to have it be stress free for everyone - hiring someone who specializes in the field can help make that a reality for you.

There you have it! Those are the three main reasons that I believe you need an experienced professional to help you plan your Destination Wedding.

The Top Three Reasons You Need A Destination Wedding Planner