Article Written By: ryanbaker
Most couples are a bit conflicted about the whole public vs. private question. That is, should a wedding be a small, intimate affair for only your closest friends and family members, or should it be a big public event where even acquaintances are invited? The couples who plan destinations weddings prefer the former.The guest list for the average destination wedding includes only forty to fifty people. And because there are fewer guests, these weddings tend to be much cheaper than traditional weddings. Of course, they also involve a lot more planning, which is why we strongly suggest that you hire a professional destination wedding specialist or planner. Trust us, there is no way you can plan a wedding in another country on your own.Many companies say they can help you plan a wedding overseas, but few of them have much experience at it. As we mentioned, destination weddings are a hot new trend and countless businesses with little experience are desperately trying to cash in. So, before you sign anything, there are a few simple questions that you should ask.First, how many weddings do they plan each year? Have they been accredited by the Better Business Bureau? Have they been singled out for their superior service and expertise? Remember, your wedding day is the most important day of your life. Don t make the common mistake of choosing the wrong destination specialist just to save a few bucks. Take our word for it, planning a wedding overseas takes knowledge and experience. It takes a company that has contacts in the industry.They can negotiate good travel rates for you and for all of your guests. That fact alone often pays for their services three times over. But a good specialist will go the extra mile. She will also find affordable hotel accommodations for all of your guests and arrange a discount on a reception hall that she has done business with in the past. More often than not, an experienced planner will have access to a whole host of contacts in the area.These agencies can negotiate attractive travel packages for you and for all of your guests. The savings are often so substantial that many couples decide to pay for at least part of their guest s trips. We recommend that you wait for the final estimate to see how much you will be saving over a traditional one. Afterwards, you may decide to offer travel vouchers to a few, even most of your guests.Obviously, a destination wedding can be held anywhere in the world. But because of price and the fact that most couples don t want to inconvenience their guests with long, expensive plane rides, they often select a romantic destination that is close to home.As you may have guessed, the most popular ceremonies are beach weddings, and the most popular venues are islands in the Caribbean. The Caribbean is the top spot for American couples because it is inexpensive, close to home, and there are literally hundreds of islands to choose from. There are the Bahamas, the Caymans, Jamaica, Aruba, Barbados, Puerto Rico, and so on. Most Caribbean islands are just a two-hour plane ride, at most, from any spot on the US East Coast.Home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, Mexico is another popular destination for American couples. Cancun, Cabo San Lucas, and Acapulco are three of its most visited resort towns. But the ultimate, the dream destination for most couples who want to have an island wedding, is Hawaii. Yes, it is far more expensive than either Mexico or the Caribbean. But can you imagine getting married in a botanical garden overlooking the ocean on a Hawaiian island? That is the stuff wedding dreams are made of.Take this tips into consideration before planning your destination wedding and get ready to make your own dreams come true.
This Article Has Been Published on Tue, 19 Oct 2010 and Read 115 Times