If you’ve been hired to design a destination wedding for a happy couple, you already know there are some challenges ahead. While the location is probably a dream come true, there are some things that will have to be different about the way you do the wedding design. Here are some things to keep in mind as you navigate this big day:
Get in Touch with Local Vendors Quickly
One thing to know about designing a destination wedding is that you lose your trusted network of local vendors that you usually work with. So the first thing you need to do after booking your location is vet local vendors as soon as you can. Depending on the location, you may not need anything other than the basics, or you may need absolutely everything right down to the chairs.
Keep Your Theme Throughout the Reception
The entire reason that your clients chose a destination wedding was that there was something about the location that they loved. Keep your wedding design seamless by designing the reception around the location as well. Not only will this make the entire wedding feel like one beautifully designed event, it will also allow you to reuse things. The fewer items you need to use, the less chances there are for mistakes.
Understand Cultural Differences
If the wedding is taking place in another country, be aware that your vendors may operate differently than what you are used to. For example, French caterers likely expect you to have alcohol at your wedding, while some small countries may not be quite so strict about documenting agreements through written contracts. Be aware that you’ll need to consider what is normal for the region where you are, but also be sure to get everything in writing to protect your big day.
Hire a Certified Wedding Planner
Likely more than any other wedding design, creating a terrific destination wedding requires professional experience. A certified wedding professional can navigate all the tricky waters of shipping décor, choosing unfamiliar vendors, or working with foreign vendors, for his or her clients. This lets the happy couple focus on the other details, as they look forward to this momentous event.
If you have been hired to design a destination wedding, you can learn more about how to tackle this big event design challenge in our certified wedding planner courses online. Learn the secrets from industry pros with decades of experience!
