Your Destination Wedding Guide for 2021
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Plan your dream destination wedding with help from Afarose's complete destination wedding guide. Wedding dresses, invites, food, decor, and so much more! Find it all here!
Your destination wedding is more than just a ceremony. It’s a wedding and exclusive vacation all rolled into one! Scouting out a unique location offers a change from the mundane and truly unique memories for you and your loved ones.
Destination weddings add a level of oomph to your chosen theme that you just couldn’t get otherwise. You could choose to host your romantic wedding at a chapel, but wouldn’t it be more amazing beachside or in the forest? Or you might want to take your boho wedding to the mountaintops to really ramp up a carefree, nature vibe. Your destination wedding can be as extravagant as you want!
Time to pack those travel bags and make your way to the nearest airport. Your destination wedding planning awaits!
Plan for a Beach Wedding
Everyone loves a beach destination wedding.
With the sand and roaring waves, the ocean is the perfect backdrop for your big day.
From vintage weddings to modern, it’s a versatile location for any theme. Deck out the space with orchid and calla lily bouquets and your guests with leis and other beachy accessories to really lean into a beachy vibe. If it’s a small beach town, take the wedding party on a leisurely bike ride beforehand, or out for an oceanside picnic.
But whether you’re getting married in Malibu or the Hamptons, there are a few key considerations to remember when planning a beachside wedding.
Traveling to the coast for some of your guests may require some extra planning and financial contemplation. Consider giving your guests at least a six-month notice so they can adjust their schedules for the proper travel arrangements and coordinate a budget that works for them. Beach resorts and hotels can be costly, so your guest will appreciate you providing ample time for them to plan for the added expenses.
Although you are not financially responsible for your guests’ travel and accommodation expenses, a little assistance can go a long way. It’s a good idea to request to have a block of hotel rooms reserved for your guests at a discount, and keep an eye on airfare deals for your wedding attendees.
Plan for a Mountain Wedding
If you want to embrace nature, take a trek to the mountaintops for your destination wedding. A destination wedding your guests certainly will not forget!
Untamed greenery and wide vistas make for a stunning scene for wedding photos. Depending on the time of year and location of the mountain, you can make it a cool boho outdoor camping vibe, or opt for a winter wonderland ski chalet ambiance.
However—mountain weddings, while magnificent, can pose some unique challenges. Proper planning will help eliminate some of these challenging factors though. For example, you’ll want to evaluate the level of access to vendors atop scarcely populated mountains for starters. Finding the right local vendors is important. Connect with a resort that offers an all-inclusive package, or hire a local wedding planner to deal with these planning-oriented complexities. Pre-planning will allow you to have better control over the activities, so make it a priority to visit the location in person prior to a final decision.
Likewise, think about your guests’ comfort level as well.
While your guests are sure to love the mountain scenery, remote locations can pose limitations on cellular service and internet connections. Some may welcome an opportunity to disconnect from technology, the lack of connection to the net can be a real roadblock for mountain top weddings. Without an internet connection, how will guests be entertained? Organized games and soirees are great starting points to keep them engaged, such as a scavenger hunt or a fun horseshoe tournament. On another note to keep in mind, adjusting to high altitudes can be difficult and cause nausea for many people. Prepare a care package to deal with common concerns associated with the mountains for your guests.
Plan for a Tropical Destination Wedding
Hawaii, the Caribbean, the Bahamas—all popular tropical wedding destinations. Who doesn’t love a gorgeous tropical location!?
Wonderful weather, colorful scenery, and delicious local cuisine all make a tropical location a great choice for your destination wedding. Organize a backpacking trip to see local flora and fauna (and be sure to incorporate that local flora into your wedding scheme) to really wow your guests. And plan a fun evening trying the local fare for all the foodie guests joining you.
Tropical weather is primarily hot and humid. Unless you plan to visit in the winter months—make the most of your tropical wedding location by ensuring your guests stay cool and hydrated. Have extra bottled water on hand and provide fan options in your guests’ sleeping quarters.
It’s always best to check the weather before you travel. The Caribbean is particularly prone to a long hurricane season. Don’t let your big day be blown off course by a Category 5! Daily thunderstorms are also a fairly common occurrence in a tropical locale as well. You can’t control nature, but you can certainly work around it with a little forethought.
Plan for a Countryside Wedding
The gorgeous views and quiet intimacy of countryside venues like the Hudson or Sonoma Valleys make them charming locales for any style of wedding.
Envision an idyllic countryside scene at a vineyard, chateau, or private villa or manor estate for the big day. A charming rustic barn, wide fields as far as the eye can see, the sun kissing your glistening skin, and bountiful blooming wildflowers will sure to have your guests fawning over all your wedding style choices.
Of course, as with any destination wedding, there are cautionary factors to account for, first to make sure your day isn’t derailed, but also to elevate it. Remember to take seasons and weather into account when scouting destination wedding locations. If you are hosting a wedding in the open, check the average weather conditions for your ideal season. Some locations are also prone to strong winds, which is better to be aware of beforehand to prevent your outdoor pavilion from taking flight to Oz.
You must be strategic with your accommodation plan as well. Most country spaces do not have large hotels or resorts, so securing accommodation for bigger groups may present a challenge. You may also have to arrange accommodation for out-of-town vendors. To avoid bottlenecks, either keep the guest list intimate or choose a location that can support a larger bridal party and RSVP list.
Don’t forget about exploring around the location of your destination weddings. Lean into the aesthetic of the space. Get in touch with a local chef or wedding planner to learn more about the type of menu that will suit your destination and plan around local, seasonal produce. If there is a winery nearby, contact the supplier to host a local tasting for the whole gang.
The Perfect Wedding Dress for All Wedding Destinations
Coordinating your attire to match your destination wedding location is an essential element to your overall wedding theme.
Whether you have visited the location before or not, you certainly haven’t experienced the place as a bride. Before you say yes to the dress, ensure it is in tune with the climate of your venue and the theme of your wedding.
Online wedding vendor Afarose has a substantial collection of dresses for brides and bridesmaids for every kind of destination wedding.
When planning a beachside wedding, check out the stunning Moonstone dress by Afarose. This lacy, figure-hugging dress with off-the-shoulder straps gives serious mermaid vibes and will make you look like a goddess emerging right out of the seafoam.
Meanwhile, Vita is a great pick for brides heading to the mountains. Vita’s plain white floor-length sheath is accented by the botanical embroidery spiraling across the open back, shoulders, and arms for a truly stunning effect. A train of buttons down the back adds an elegant vintage touch. This dress walks the line between a number of wedding themes. Add a short Winni veil to pitch it fully into the vintage territory, or a diamond and rose gold accent in the form of a Vega comb for a more romantic flair.
A similarly versatile dress, Victoria, with its sparkling A-line base and detailed lace bodice—walks a line between boho and modern that is simply begging to be the showstopper at your countryside wedding!
Your Dream Destination Wedding
Destination weddings allow you to fully express your creativity and explore your imagination to truly indulge in your dream wedding.
Steadfast on a theme your hometown can’t support? Change the scenery! Live in the flats of Texas, yet dreaming of a whimsical mountain wedding? Take to the mountains for your destination wedding dreams! Don’t be afraid to explore other locations to ensure your big day is absolutely perfect.
Once you’ve decided on the location of your dreams, find the perfect dress for the special occasion at Afarose. With a huge collection of made-to-order bride and bridesmaid dresses, Afarose has something for every taste and destination.
Check out Afarose.com, and get to planning for your dream destination wedding today!
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