Tips For Planning a Destination Wedding in the Caribbean

Are you gearing up to plan your wedding? Although many couples opt for a traditional wedding back home, you may have another thought. You may want a picture perfect fairytale wedding in the Caribbean. If so, you want a destination wedding. Unfortunately, most couples mistakenly believe destination weddings are not only too costly, but too difficult to plan. Luckily, the entire process can be a lot easier and cheaper than you originally thought. How?

The first step is to decide on an area. The Caribbean includes many islands. Two popular choices include Jamaica and the Bahamas. If you are worried about costs, price compare. If you have a little bit of financial freedom, make your dreams come true. Opt for your first choice. Regardless, you will be presented with luxury hotels, tropical weather, and beautiful beaches!

Next, you must decide on a date. When doing so, give yourself time. Although you will have a Caribbean destination wedding, you still likely want a few close friends and family members to attend. Not only do they get to attend your wedding, but they get their own tropical vacation too! Still, it likely wasn't a vacation they anticipated on taking; give them a reasonable amount of time to save money. Also, you and your guests need passports. Give these time to arrive too.

Once you have an ideal destination and date in mind, you will start to examine wedding venues. Your first look should be at all-inclusive resorts that offer free weddings. Yes, really free weddings! Many resorts provide guests with a free standard wedding, provided they meet a minimum stay requirement. The stay requirement varies depending on resorts, but it is reasonable, such as a 3-day or 5-day stay.

What else should you look for in a Caribbean resort when planning a destination wedding? The ability to have your wedding onsite. Not only that, but a choice of places. A large resort may give you the option to use their wedding chapel, a banquet room, garden, or their beach. You also want the ability to upgrade your free wedding package. Right away, Caribbean resorts claim you get a "standard wedding." Look at the inclusions and you will be surprised, because it is actually a lot. Still, have the ability to include a tux rental, in-room hair and make-up, professional photography, and more.

Have your destination wedding double as a Caribbean honeymoon too. As previously stated, many all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean give you a free wedding with a minimum 3, 5, or 7-night stay. It will not take that long to plan your wedding, so meet the minimum required stay by combining your wedding and honeymoon. Choose a luxury all-inclusive resort, one with great onsite activities, a mixture of restaurants, and upgrade to a suite. You won't feel as if you are shortchanging yourself. You still get the honeymoon of your dreams!

Contact the resort in question. To prevent scheduling conflicts, you may want to do this before officially booking your travel arrangements. Let them know you not only want to stay onsite, but have a wedding too. In most cases, you will be put into contact with a wedding planner, even when making use of a Caribbean resort's free wedding. This wedding planner makes it easier to plan a destination wedding when you are located hundreds or thousands of miles away.

Order destination wedding invitations for your guests. You may also want to include information on area hotels and resorts. As previously stated, your destination wedding guests are unlikely to attend your wedding and leave. Many will use the opportunity to have a tropical vacation. For that reason, it may be a good idea to point them in the direction of other hotels and resorts. Your honeymoon and their Caribbean vacation may overlap. You love your mother, but do you want her sitting next to you at the pool on your honeymoon? Luckily, most free weddings include a couple of guest passes for those staying offsite. Additional passes should be available for sale too.