Saturday, February 16, 2008
Best Destination Weddings Offer Exotic Surroundings
Many couples are choosing to forego the traditional church wedding and head for the excitement of be married in exotic surrounding. There are numerous opportunities for couples when they plan some of the best destination weddings and provided proper marriage laws are followed, there are no destinations considered off limits. If you are planning to have a tropical wedding in a foreign country, then special traveling arrangements will have to be made ahead of time.
There are few places in the world that will allow people to marry while on a visit, without specific arrangements. There are also some countries that require a couple planning destination weddings to bring their own witnesses along on the trip. Marrying in a foreign land will also require unquestionable identification, usually a passport and at least one other form of photo identification. Wedding planners can help with arrangements as well as help find the best destination for weddings in the country the couple has in mind.
Church weddings may be available as a matter of ceremony, but in most cases the couple will have to be wed legally during a civil ceremony in their home country before being wed in a foreign church. It is an individual choice as to what constitutes the best destination wedding but typically it is followed by the honeymoon.
Some couples prefer places such as Mexico or a Caribbean island on which to be married and planners in those countries can help plan the Caribbean beach wedding. There are also planners in the United States that work with their counterparts in other countries to help couples realize their fantasy wedding.
Great savings on Caribbean holidays
Many resorts also provide assistance in planning the best destination weddings the location has to offer and often times a wedding ceremony can be included in a vacation package arranged by the hotel or resort in which the honeymoon will be taken. Again, it is rarely available as a spur of the moment decision and can require up to six months notice that an event is being planned.
While it may be unusual, there are times when even the best destination weddings are attended by family and friends who accompany the couple to the location for the wedding ceremony as well as a short stay after. Although, some countries may require the couple and their witness to be in the country a minimum of three to sIx days before the ceremony takes place.
There are few places in the world that will allow people to marry while on a visit, without specific arrangements. There are also some countries that require a couple planning destination weddings to bring their own witnesses along on the trip. Marrying in a foreign land will also require unquestionable identification, usually a passport and at least one other form of photo identification. Wedding planners can help with arrangements as well as help find the best destination for weddings in the country the couple has in mind.
Church weddings may be available as a matter of ceremony, but in most cases the couple will have to be wed legally during a civil ceremony in their home country before being wed in a foreign church. It is an individual choice as to what constitutes the best destination wedding but typically it is followed by the honeymoon.
Some couples prefer places such as Mexico or a Caribbean island on which to be married and planners in those countries can help plan the Caribbean beach wedding. There are also planners in the United States that work with their counterparts in other countries to help couples realize their fantasy wedding.
Great savings on Caribbean holidays
Many resorts also provide assistance in planning the best destination weddings the location has to offer and often times a wedding ceremony can be included in a vacation package arranged by the hotel or resort in which the honeymoon will be taken. Again, it is rarely available as a spur of the moment decision and can require up to six months notice that an event is being planned.
While it may be unusual, there are times when even the best destination weddings are attended by family and friends who accompany the couple to the location for the wedding ceremony as well as a short stay after. Although, some countries may require the couple and their witness to be in the country a minimum of three to sIx days before the ceremony takes place.
Labels: Best Destination Weddings, Caribbean Beach Wedding, Destination wedding, Destination weddings, Tropical Wedding
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# posted by M. D @ 3:33 PM
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Creative Destination Wedding Planning for an Imaginative Wedding
Destination wedding planning can be trickier than organizing a wedding in your home town, though a destination wedding need not be more expensive. Many people opt for destination weddings when they do not want the frenzy of a massive wedding, and prefer the intimacy of something smaller with just a few special guests, and perhaps even none.
The Cost Of a Destination Wedding
Depends a lot on how much of the travel and accommodation costs of your guests you are going to pick up, but it need not cost as much as most people believe if you plan your date carefully and honeymoon at the same venue, or at least the same general location. Many hotels will offer a special deal for a wedding ceremony, reception and honeymoon package, and resort destinations can be cheaper if you book your wedding off season.
There are some aspects of planning a destination wedding that need to be considered irrespective of the destination, and are probably what most people like to be reminded of so that they do not miss anything. There could be little worse than arriving at your destination and then finding that your license is not acceptable in that state or country, or that you have not met the medical requirements.
It is frequently a good idea to have a professional wedding organizer carry out your destination wedding planning, since a professional will know all of the legal requirements of the country or state involved. In hiring a professional, though, make sure that he or she is based in the particular destination so that you have somebody ‘on site’ to look after arrangements from that end while you tend to what is necessary at home.
You must first acquaint yourself with the marriage laws of the country in which you are planning to marry. Even different states or areas of each country often have their own particular requirements. Blood test, medical certificates, immunizations and licenses must all be considered and arranged well in advance. You might also need a specific number of witnesses or have been either a resident for a period of time, or have a set waiting time between application to be married and having it granted. You might require permission, so contact the local authorities to check this out. Get everything agreed in writing.
All-Inclusive Caribbean Vacations
If you are planning to invite more than just one or two guests, keep their needs in mind. Is there sufficient local accommodation available and how about the food? Is the local food suitable for the range of diets your guests might have, and is there enough locally to keep them occupied? You don’t want your guests sitting in their rooms all weekend if the weather is bad.
If you are not hiring a wedding planner, check out the local inns and hotels for available accommodation yourself. You might find that some offer good wedding party packages at discounted prices. If you know how many guests are coming, and how many rooms you need, you can generally get them cheaper as a block booking than if they were booked individually.
You will also have to arrange the location for the ceremony, and it is this and the reception venue that might determine the date for your big day. The church, chapel or wherever you get married will generally be the simplest of the arrangements you have to make. It is generally limited to making the booking, and the rest is done. Try to find a venue that provides everything needed such as the flowers and other decoration, the minister or judge and the music and order of service. You can plan this yourself, but it is not so easy done remotely without a professional organizer to help you.
There are some benefits in doing it all yourself, such as the flowers, the organist, etc. You have control and get exactly what you want, or close enough, but it is not easy and you might not want the worry when you have so many other things to organize. However, the ceremony is the most important part of the whole day: it is what it is all about in fact, and you might want to do it yourself. The choice is yours; just be aware of the possibilities.
The reception will depend upon the number of guests traveling, and you should know that number exactly a few weeks before the date. You are probably best to leave the arrangements to the venue if you have been able to book one that specializes in weddings, particularly destination weddings. Failing that employ somebody to look after this part of it for you. This will be cheaper than a full time wedding organizer since it will only be for the reception, and possibly the ceremony.
It will take a lot of the weight off your mind if you have this part of the proceedings done for you by somebody local. Once that has been planned, all you need do is to make sure you have invited those that you want to attend, and you will have a great weekend, or however long you are staying.
Finally, plan your packing in advance and make sure you have a check list of everything you will need. Without that you are sure to forget something. If you keep all of the above in mind, then you will have a wonderful wedding due to good and imaginative destination wedding planning.
The Cost Of a Destination Wedding
Depends a lot on how much of the travel and accommodation costs of your guests you are going to pick up, but it need not cost as much as most people believe if you plan your date carefully and honeymoon at the same venue, or at least the same general location. Many hotels will offer a special deal for a wedding ceremony, reception and honeymoon package, and resort destinations can be cheaper if you book your wedding off season.
There are some aspects of planning a destination wedding that need to be considered irrespective of the destination, and are probably what most people like to be reminded of so that they do not miss anything. There could be little worse than arriving at your destination and then finding that your license is not acceptable in that state or country, or that you have not met the medical requirements.
It is frequently a good idea to have a professional wedding organizer carry out your destination wedding planning, since a professional will know all of the legal requirements of the country or state involved. In hiring a professional, though, make sure that he or she is based in the particular destination so that you have somebody ‘on site’ to look after arrangements from that end while you tend to what is necessary at home.
You must first acquaint yourself with the marriage laws of the country in which you are planning to marry. Even different states or areas of each country often have their own particular requirements. Blood test, medical certificates, immunizations and licenses must all be considered and arranged well in advance. You might also need a specific number of witnesses or have been either a resident for a period of time, or have a set waiting time between application to be married and having it granted. You might require permission, so contact the local authorities to check this out. Get everything agreed in writing.
All-Inclusive Caribbean Vacations
If you are planning to invite more than just one or two guests, keep their needs in mind. Is there sufficient local accommodation available and how about the food? Is the local food suitable for the range of diets your guests might have, and is there enough locally to keep them occupied? You don’t want your guests sitting in their rooms all weekend if the weather is bad.
If you are not hiring a wedding planner, check out the local inns and hotels for available accommodation yourself. You might find that some offer good wedding party packages at discounted prices. If you know how many guests are coming, and how many rooms you need, you can generally get them cheaper as a block booking than if they were booked individually.
You will also have to arrange the location for the ceremony, and it is this and the reception venue that might determine the date for your big day. The church, chapel or wherever you get married will generally be the simplest of the arrangements you have to make. It is generally limited to making the booking, and the rest is done. Try to find a venue that provides everything needed such as the flowers and other decoration, the minister or judge and the music and order of service. You can plan this yourself, but it is not so easy done remotely without a professional organizer to help you.
There are some benefits in doing it all yourself, such as the flowers, the organist, etc. You have control and get exactly what you want, or close enough, but it is not easy and you might not want the worry when you have so many other things to organize. However, the ceremony is the most important part of the whole day: it is what it is all about in fact, and you might want to do it yourself. The choice is yours; just be aware of the possibilities.
The reception will depend upon the number of guests traveling, and you should know that number exactly a few weeks before the date. You are probably best to leave the arrangements to the venue if you have been able to book one that specializes in weddings, particularly destination weddings. Failing that employ somebody to look after this part of it for you. This will be cheaper than a full time wedding organizer since it will only be for the reception, and possibly the ceremony.
It will take a lot of the weight off your mind if you have this part of the proceedings done for you by somebody local. Once that has been planned, all you need do is to make sure you have invited those that you want to attend, and you will have a great weekend, or however long you are staying.
Finally, plan your packing in advance and make sure you have a check list of everything you will need. Without that you are sure to forget something. If you keep all of the above in mind, then you will have a wonderful wedding due to good and imaginative destination wedding planning.
Labels: Caribbean Beach Wedding, Destination wedding, Destination Wedding Caribbean, Destination wedding Planning
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# posted by M. D @ 9:53 PM
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
How to Plan Romantic Weddings Abroad
For many people romantic weddings abroad are a dream that they feel they could never bring to reality, while for others they are simply another option when they decide to get married. In fact, there is no need for such distinctions since weddings abroad are realistic options for any couple irrespective of their country of residence.
Many couples want to have a beach wedding and generally go to California or Florida. Others who want to be married abroad opt for the Caribbean where they have Jamaica, Guadeloupe, St. Lucia and over 100 other islands to choose from. However, if you prefer something really different for your beach wedding get married right on Copacabana Beach. There are lots of possibilities in romantic Rio and you can get married on the beach for around $1000 including flowers, cake and champagne, and less than $20 a guest for the reception dinner.
Caribbean Weddings
One of the major obstacles in the minds of many people considering being married abroad is the lack of direct control over the preparations, for the simple reason that you cannot check out the venues beforehand, and are unable to visually check that your wishes are being properly met. To many people this is more of an obstacle than price, since foreign weddings can often be significantly less expensive than those at home.
However, you can alleviate yourself of that problem by hiring a professional wedding organizer to tend to the arrangements in the country of your choice. He or she will not only be able to check out the venues and see to their hiring, but also keep you informed of the legal necessities such as the reading of the Marriage Banns and any local licensing and residency requirements. There is also the question of visas and passports. A professional organizer can ensure that you clear all statutory obstacles and iron out all the creases to make your dream wedding a reality.
You can also do this yourself, and many couples prefer to take this route for the satisfaction that it gives them. However, it is easy to miss something and it would be a bit annoying having your wedding stopped because you did not have local authority permission. If your heart is set on a beach wedding, they are not legal in many European countries. Also, if you want to be married in France, there is a residency period of 60 days and applications have to be made in person.
Had you arrived in Paris expecting to be married within a few days you would have been very disappointed to find that you would have to live there for two months first. So would your guests who had just arrived at the airport!
However, if you find out the rules and regulations beforehand, then all you need do now is to let your friends and relatives know where you intend to marry, and find out who are able to join you. It is your decision whether to send formal invitations or not, since most of your friends might find it difficult to attend a wedding in another country with the travel and accommodation costs involved, and the possibility of visas and even passport renewals.
Travelling Documents For Romantic Weddings Abroad
It is calculated that less than 20% of Americans possess passports, and most of these are due to business requirements. The reason is the size of the country, and the fact that the majority of Americans do not travel abroad for vacations. Your potential guests should be made aware of the fact that the average waiting time for a first passport is 25 to 30 days. You should give your guests plenty time to make a decision and then apply for the passport. If a visa is needed for your destination, then also keep in mind that a passport is needed before a visa can be applied for, and visas can take over a month to arrive.
All of this and we have not yet got past the passport and visa problem! However, get over that problem and you should be all set. You will likely be set on marrying in a well known foreign location that will be well used to handling weddings and will know what you will need. If it is a beach wedding you want then make sure that no specific permissions are required, since beach weddings are neither popular nor common in Europe, as they are in the USA. The same is true of Asia. You should also be aware of the prevailing weather conditions, and have indoor facilities such as a hall booked in case of rain, hail or snow!
Don’t let all that worry you though. You should not find it difficult to find a venue for your ceremony or your reception, though are probably advised to get these booked and then set your wedding date round that. It is difficult to book a reception first, or to send out invitations before doing so without knowing the available capacity, but this is true of any wedding. For a wedding abroad you are likely best to get the venues provisionally booked and then find out who will be able to make it. You can then confirm the numbers.
Caribbean Weddings
Once you have achieved all of that, then you can tidy up the details and enjoy your carefully planned romantic wedding abroad, secure in the knowledge that all will go well and without a single hitch.
Many couples want to have a beach wedding and generally go to California or Florida. Others who want to be married abroad opt for the Caribbean where they have Jamaica, Guadeloupe, St. Lucia and over 100 other islands to choose from. However, if you prefer something really different for your beach wedding get married right on Copacabana Beach. There are lots of possibilities in romantic Rio and you can get married on the beach for around $1000 including flowers, cake and champagne, and less than $20 a guest for the reception dinner.
Caribbean Weddings
One of the major obstacles in the minds of many people considering being married abroad is the lack of direct control over the preparations, for the simple reason that you cannot check out the venues beforehand, and are unable to visually check that your wishes are being properly met. To many people this is more of an obstacle than price, since foreign weddings can often be significantly less expensive than those at home.
However, you can alleviate yourself of that problem by hiring a professional wedding organizer to tend to the arrangements in the country of your choice. He or she will not only be able to check out the venues and see to their hiring, but also keep you informed of the legal necessities such as the reading of the Marriage Banns and any local licensing and residency requirements. There is also the question of visas and passports. A professional organizer can ensure that you clear all statutory obstacles and iron out all the creases to make your dream wedding a reality.
You can also do this yourself, and many couples prefer to take this route for the satisfaction that it gives them. However, it is easy to miss something and it would be a bit annoying having your wedding stopped because you did not have local authority permission. If your heart is set on a beach wedding, they are not legal in many European countries. Also, if you want to be married in France, there is a residency period of 60 days and applications have to be made in person.
Had you arrived in Paris expecting to be married within a few days you would have been very disappointed to find that you would have to live there for two months first. So would your guests who had just arrived at the airport!
However, if you find out the rules and regulations beforehand, then all you need do now is to let your friends and relatives know where you intend to marry, and find out who are able to join you. It is your decision whether to send formal invitations or not, since most of your friends might find it difficult to attend a wedding in another country with the travel and accommodation costs involved, and the possibility of visas and even passport renewals.
Travelling Documents For Romantic Weddings Abroad
It is calculated that less than 20% of Americans possess passports, and most of these are due to business requirements. The reason is the size of the country, and the fact that the majority of Americans do not travel abroad for vacations. Your potential guests should be made aware of the fact that the average waiting time for a first passport is 25 to 30 days. You should give your guests plenty time to make a decision and then apply for the passport. If a visa is needed for your destination, then also keep in mind that a passport is needed before a visa can be applied for, and visas can take over a month to arrive.
All of this and we have not yet got past the passport and visa problem! However, get over that problem and you should be all set. You will likely be set on marrying in a well known foreign location that will be well used to handling weddings and will know what you will need. If it is a beach wedding you want then make sure that no specific permissions are required, since beach weddings are neither popular nor common in Europe, as they are in the USA. The same is true of Asia. You should also be aware of the prevailing weather conditions, and have indoor facilities such as a hall booked in case of rain, hail or snow!
Don’t let all that worry you though. You should not find it difficult to find a venue for your ceremony or your reception, though are probably advised to get these booked and then set your wedding date round that. It is difficult to book a reception first, or to send out invitations before doing so without knowing the available capacity, but this is true of any wedding. For a wedding abroad you are likely best to get the venues provisionally booked and then find out who will be able to make it. You can then confirm the numbers.
Caribbean Weddings
Once you have achieved all of that, then you can tidy up the details and enjoy your carefully planned romantic wedding abroad, secure in the knowledge that all will go well and without a single hitch.
Labels: Destination wedding, Romantic Wedding Abroad, Romantic Weddings Abroad, Weddings Abroad
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# posted by M. D @ 7:50 PM
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Finding An Affordable Destination Wedding
Destination weddings have become quite popular for many reasons. People who have waited to get married until later in life and people who have been previously married often choose a destination wedding..
These people are not looking for a larges traditional wedding. By choosing a destination wedding they have the opportunity to visit a travel location and invite a smaller group of friends and family to come along. One important factor for the average couple is finding an affordable destination wedding. With careful planning a research there are many possibilities for an affordable destination wedding.
One very significant way to find an affordable destination wedding is to look at off season pricing. There are many places that have set seasons for tourism and the prices can be much higher during these seasons. During the off seasons the destination wedding locations will be considerably less expensive for all aspects of the wedding including transportation, lodging, food and local tours and activities.
There may even be special package pricing for the off season that will mean that a couple can have the destination wedding they have dreamed of without having to go into debt. Many locations are even willing to negotiate the prices during the off season.
Choosing The Off Season For An Affordable Destination Wedding
One thing to understand about off season travel for an affordable destination wedding is that it is off season for a reason. Most off season pricing is available because the location is affected by adverse weather during that time of year. Hurricane season is a very affordable time to tour the Caribbean. This involves a gamble on the part of the wedding couple or other travelers because the possibility of a hurricane does exist.
But the Caribbean is beautiful even during this time of year and would be a great place to plan an affordable destination wedding. The wedding costs can be reduced by everything from the transportation to the location to the room and food costs while visiting. Airlines often offer reduced prices for off season travel and further savings can be had by asking for a group discount. The hotels are happy to keep their rooms booked during the off season and almost always have reduced rates.
There are many other ideas for off season affordable destination weddings. Travel to Europe in the wintertime is often less expensive but there are still many wonderful places to see and visit during this time. An affordable destination wedding in Italy or Spain during the wintertime would be great. For even more reduced pricing a wedding couple may want to consider one of the less visited European countries such as Slovenia, Bulgaria or Croatia. These countries are beautiful locations with a lot to offer and would provide a unique and exotic place for an affordable destination wedding.
These people are not looking for a larges traditional wedding. By choosing a destination wedding they have the opportunity to visit a travel location and invite a smaller group of friends and family to come along. One important factor for the average couple is finding an affordable destination wedding. With careful planning a research there are many possibilities for an affordable destination wedding.
One very significant way to find an affordable destination wedding is to look at off season pricing. There are many places that have set seasons for tourism and the prices can be much higher during these seasons. During the off seasons the destination wedding locations will be considerably less expensive for all aspects of the wedding including transportation, lodging, food and local tours and activities.
There may even be special package pricing for the off season that will mean that a couple can have the destination wedding they have dreamed of without having to go into debt. Many locations are even willing to negotiate the prices during the off season.
Choosing The Off Season For An Affordable Destination Wedding
One thing to understand about off season travel for an affordable destination wedding is that it is off season for a reason. Most off season pricing is available because the location is affected by adverse weather during that time of year. Hurricane season is a very affordable time to tour the Caribbean. This involves a gamble on the part of the wedding couple or other travelers because the possibility of a hurricane does exist.
But the Caribbean is beautiful even during this time of year and would be a great place to plan an affordable destination wedding. The wedding costs can be reduced by everything from the transportation to the location to the room and food costs while visiting. Airlines often offer reduced prices for off season travel and further savings can be had by asking for a group discount. The hotels are happy to keep their rooms booked during the off season and almost always have reduced rates.
There are many other ideas for off season affordable destination weddings. Travel to Europe in the wintertime is often less expensive but there are still many wonderful places to see and visit during this time. An affordable destination wedding in Italy or Spain during the wintertime would be great. For even more reduced pricing a wedding couple may want to consider one of the less visited European countries such as Slovenia, Bulgaria or Croatia. These countries are beautiful locations with a lot to offer and would provide a unique and exotic place for an affordable destination wedding.
Labels: Affordable Destination Wedding, Destination wedding
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# posted by M. D @ 6:52 PM
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Things To Ponder When You Plan A Destination Wedding
Planning a destination wedding is only limited by your imagination. Your dream wedding may consist of reciting your vows on a tropical Caribbean beach or in a small wedding chapel in Bahamas. Maybe a Buddhist themed ceremony in Thailand or a ski chalet in Switzerland would be your ideal wedding setting.
While deciding on the location for your destination wedding you need to find out if a wedding ceremony held at your destination would be legal in your home country. If not, or if you don’t want to take any chances, you should have a civil ceremony at home before departing for your destination wedding.
Each county has it’s own laws and regulations regarding weddings. Some will require that you only marry inside a church or chapel while others will allow weddings almost anywhere.
Planning a destination wedding is more difficult in some countries. And depending on the size of your wedding, you are well advised to seek the help of a wedding coordinator or travel agent that is experienced in planning a destination wedding in your chosen destination.
Decide on a destination wedding package, what food will be served and whether you will have caterer, the décor, whether you will have a DJ or band, whether you want a photographer and videographer, etc. Fortunately all important wedding aspects will be outlined in you wedding planner book with a deadline for preparing each thing.
Make sure that you select your destination wedding dress and the bridesmaids’ dresses early on. That way you and your bridesmaids will have plenty of time to have them tailored if necessary. Also, many brides will choose the décor to match their dress. So if you like this idea, you may want to place buying a wedding dress at the top of your “to do” list.
Destination wedding invitations are important to get early on also. That way you have time to send them back to the printers if any mistakes have been made. Also you will find that it takes a considerably long time to address all the envelopes. There are a lot of things to consider when planning a destination wedding, but by staying organized and allowing people around you to help when they offer it you will find that everything goes much more smoothly.
While deciding on the location for your destination wedding you need to find out if a wedding ceremony held at your destination would be legal in your home country. If not, or if you don’t want to take any chances, you should have a civil ceremony at home before departing for your destination wedding.
Each county has it’s own laws and regulations regarding weddings. Some will require that you only marry inside a church or chapel while others will allow weddings almost anywhere.
Planning a destination wedding is more difficult in some countries. And depending on the size of your wedding, you are well advised to seek the help of a wedding coordinator or travel agent that is experienced in planning a destination wedding in your chosen destination.
Decide on a destination wedding package, what food will be served and whether you will have caterer, the décor, whether you will have a DJ or band, whether you want a photographer and videographer, etc. Fortunately all important wedding aspects will be outlined in you wedding planner book with a deadline for preparing each thing.
Make sure that you select your destination wedding dress and the bridesmaids’ dresses early on. That way you and your bridesmaids will have plenty of time to have them tailored if necessary. Also, many brides will choose the décor to match their dress. So if you like this idea, you may want to place buying a wedding dress at the top of your “to do” list.
Destination wedding invitations are important to get early on also. That way you have time to send them back to the printers if any mistakes have been made. Also you will find that it takes a considerably long time to address all the envelopes. There are a lot of things to consider when planning a destination wedding, but by staying organized and allowing people around you to help when they offer it you will find that everything goes much more smoothly.
Labels: Destination wedding, Destination wedding ideas, Destination weddings
Read more!
# posted by M. D @ 8:04 AM
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