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Planning a Destination Wedding: How to Do It the Right Way   by Amy

Planning a destination wedding can be an exciting and fun thing to do. However it can also be a little nerve-racking, because you don’t really know what to expect. Unlike planning a regular wedding, a lot of things are out of your control. Destination weddings are great though, it’s like having the wedding and honeymoon all rolled into one. Instead of spending a few hours with people you haven’t seen in ages, you get to spend a lot more time with them. For the people who do make it out to your wedding, it’s their vacation as well.

There are basically two different types of destination weddings. The type that is just moved to a whole new destination, but all of the planning must be done by you just as you would back home. The other type is all-inclusive, where you would pay for a wedding package and have a lot less to worry about. Planning a destination wedding for the first option can be arduous and down right stressful, because you might not even be familiar enough with the place to make the right decisions. Unless you are able to hire a very competent wedding planner that is located there to oversee everything and help you make those decisions, you’re better off looking for an all-inclusive wedding package.

The first order of business comes before planning a destination wedding. Obviously you should think about the ideal place to have your wedding. However, before you get ahead of yourself, check to see if the people most important to you are willing and able to travel. Is it convenient for them to get to the destination from where they live? Is it cost effective for all the people you really want to be there? Then take a look at the weather conditions for your desired destination during the time of year you expect to get married. If everything seems to be in order, you may proceed.

The next step for planning a destination wedding is creating a budget and then looking for destination packages you can afford. Once you have narrowed down your search, research the requirements for getting married in that city or country. What are the standards and rules regarding the marriage license, waiting period, etc. Before you sign on the dotted line, try to get as much information as you can from other couples who have purchased the package. Look for reviews online to learn more about other people’s experience with the service.

Remember that just like any other wedding venue, it is important to book early. Before you do though, make out a list of important questions to ask. Do they have a wedding planner that will work with you one on one to iron out the details? Is the actual location of the wedding ceremony private and secluded from other tourists? How many guests can they accommodate? Ask about all the additional fees that they don’t disclose up front such as cutting the cake. Is there a discount for large parties? Is there a way to get a refund should anything happen for the wedding to be called off. Furthermore, it’s important to learn about what they can provide in terms of menu options, entertainment, flowers, decorations, wedding cake, photography, hair & makeup, etc.

You may have booked your wedding and handed over most of the planning responsibilities to someone else, but your job is not done. Make sure the guests that are planning to go are notified of all details before they book their trip. Discuss accommodation options for them and let them know when you have finalized everything so they have plenty of time to take off from work and make travel arrangements.

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Wedding Planning For Dummies, Second Edition $5.99 Congratulations, you’re planning a wedding! Besides obtaining a fancy tuxedo and a stunning gown, organizing a wedding ceremony takes creativity, planning, diplomacy, and nerve. The whole ordeal can seem overwhelming at first, but with a little guidance, you’ll pull off a wedding people will remember for ages.Wedding Planning For Dummies, 2nd Edition demystifies and simplifies all the details …

Bride Wars $14.98 A clerical error tests the lifelong friendship of two brides-to-be by scheduling their respective weddings at the famed Plaza Hotel on the exact same date in this romantic comedy starring Anne Hathaway and Kate Hudson. Ever since they were little girls, Liv (Hudson) and Emma (Hathaway) have bonded over planning their weddings down to the very last detail. Now, both in their mid-twenties, Liv and Emma have each found the men they want to spend the rest of their lives with. But while most of the details regarding their respective weddings don’t overlap, the one thing that both Liv and Emma have always dreamt of is holding their ceremony at the legendary Plaza Hotel — New Your City’s ultimate bridal destination. Unfortunately, a simple clerical error has scheduled both of their weddings on the exact same date, at the exact same place. As a high-powered lawyer who’s used to getting her way, Liv simply isn’t willing to settle for anything less than perfection. And though simple schoolteacher Emma has always placed the needs of others above her own, the prospect of making any sacrifices on her big day brings out her inner bridezilla in ways that shock her unsuspecting friends and family. There was a time when Liv and Emma would have done anything for each other, but now that the two best friends are at odds over who will get their dream wedding and who will have to settle for second best, the lacy gloves are off and it’s all-out war. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Destination Wedding Planner: The Ultimate Guide to Planning a Wedding from Afar $8.98 Used – This 144-page planner is a one-stop tool for anyone planning their wedding from afar. Inside, expert even coordinator Alison Hotchkiss offers essential information on staging a no-stress and an on-budget destination wedding, including creating a budget, selecting a location, the hiring of vendors, making travel arrangements, and tons of tips and tricks on how to expect the unexpected. The planner also features 8 high-capacity pockets for storing information, documentation, magazine clippi

Destination Wedding Planner: The Ultimate Guide to Planning a Wedding from Afar $18.4 New – This 144-page planner is a one-stop tool for anyone planning their wedding from afar. Inside, expert even coordinator Alison Hotchkiss offers essential information on staging a no-stress and an on-budget destination wedding, including creating a budget, selecting a location, the hiring of vendors, making travel arrangements, and tons of tips and tricks on how to expect the unexpected. The planner also features 8 high-capacity pockets for storing information, documentation, magazine clippin

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Modern Bride Honeymoons and Weddings Away: The Complete Guide to Planning Your Romantic Trip Ever $72.95 New – The travel editor for Modern Bride–America’s most trusted source for helping couples make their wedding and honeymoon dreams come true–shares her years of expertise in honeymoon planning. Bain provides couples with vital information on cruises, foreign travel, packages, staying within a budget–even how to get married at their honeymoon destination.

Mona and Uriah’s Guide to Planning a Destination Wedding $1.68 Used – Mona and Uriah began planning their own destination wedding only to have a very hard time finding any written literature that was comprehensive enough for their needs. From the overwhelming task of how to begin and select a location, to planning the guest list and arranging travel, there was information available, but it took a lot of digging and none of it seemed to be in one place. With this book, they hope to share some of their own experiences, ideas, and opinions and compile a compre

Mona and Uriah’s Guide to Planning a Destination Wedding $14.18 New – Mona and Uriah began planning their own destination wedding only to have a very hard time finding any written literature that was comprehensive enough for their needs. From the overwhelming task of how to begin and select a location, to planning the guest list and arranging travel, there was information available, but it took a lot of digging and none of it seemed to be in one place. With this book, they hope to share some of their own experiences, ideas, and opinions and compile a compreh

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Plan Your Dream Wedding: Destination Las Vegas: the Secret Ingredient to Planning the Wedding of a Lifetime $37.95 Used

Plan Your Dream Wedding: Destination Las Vegas: the Secret Ingredient to Planning the Wedding of a Lifetime $37.95 New

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Plan a Great Wedding in Three Months or Less $10.09 New – There may be many reasons why a couple opts for a short engagement or decides to move up their wedding date. These couples need a planner that helps them prioritize and move quickly to create a great wedding. Expert event planner Judy Allen shows couples how to: — Find immediately available sites and choose the right officiant quickly.– Prioritize wedding planning so nothing essential is missed or neglected.– Explore such quick turnaround alternatives as destination wedding/honeymoon op

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The Knot Guide to Destination Weddings $5.71 New – From the beaches of the Bahamas to the castles of Scotland, the biggest trend in matrimony in the past decade is the destination wedding. Now the founder of the world’s favorite wedding Web site, TheKnot.com, breaks down the unique process of planning a ceremony from afar.

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