This is an archived article and the information in the story may be outdated. Please check the time stamp on the story to see when it was updated last.
Destination weddings are on the rise, with couples deciding to create an entire weekend (or longer) experience for themselves and their guests. Whether you imagine yourself saying I do on a tropical beach, on top of a mountain or in a metropolitan city, there are several factors to decide before making your final selection. To make sure you pick the right place, first take a look at these seven mistakes you’ll definitely want to avoid.
1. Not Looking into the Time of Year
"Choosing a date is more important than you may think, so be sure to consider weather and peak seasons before setting the date," explains Mary Angelini of Key Moment Films. "The last thing you want is your guests to be overheating in the peak of summer or experiencing a weekend of rain. Time of year also plays into cost factors at venues as well as travel costs for you and your guests."
2. Failing to Book Affordable Hotel Rooms
JoAnn Gregoli of Elegant Occasions by JoAnn Gregoli suggests blocking out hotel rooms in a variety of price points. "Offering one price point will not allow many guests to attend."
3. Ignoring Weather Patterns
Couples must research what the typical weather will be for their selected area and consider that before booking the venue, says Gregoli. "If you are headed to a warm tropical destination and it rains everyday, it will really ruin your wedding."
4. Not Researching Marriage Requirements
If you're saying I do in another country, you'll need to investigate the marriage license requirements for that particular place. Some countries have residency requirements and other stipulations that need to be fulfilled before granting the license.
5. Choosing a Difficult Destination
Guests might not be able to make your special day if you opt for a location that is hard to travel to. According to Angelini, some questions to consider include: How many flights go in and out each day. Does the plane options only have stairs to board and disembark? Do your guests need to take a ferry and how easy is it to get on and off the ferry?
6. Not Asking about Sound Restrictions
Couples need to know if there is a sound ordinance for their location that stipulates a time when the music needs to be turned off, says Gregoli. "Too many couples think they can party into the night, when in fact some locations have an ending time set by the venue."
7. Skipping a Backup Plan
If you're planning to get married outside, be sure to have a firm Plan B in place in case the weather doesn't cooperate."That rain back up should be as great as the venue itself," says Gregoli.
