Tips for Planning a Wedding Abroad

There is so much to do when planning a wedding at home, that sometimes the thought of doing this for a wedding abroad, can seem a little daunting. Some of the couples that have married on Anna Maria Island, have been kind enough to share their best tips on planning a destination wedding, to ensure that everything runs as smoothly as possible on the big day!

• DO as much research as you can online. The Knot is a particularly good resource.
• DO visit the country where you want to get married if possible. This gives you the chance to meet with the vendors and see the venue. Couples usually take 18 months to plan a wedding, so try and incorporate a visit with a holiday perhaps out of season, when flights and accommodation are at their cheapest. If it really isn't possible to visit your destination, ask the venue to provide as many pictures as possible and perhaps ask if they can put you in touch with previous couples so you can contact them and ask them for their opinion.
• DO think outside the box - when you are getting married abroad, think differently, when you're away, anything goes! Weddings at home are usually very traditional in their format. Try and find out more about weddings and traditions in the country of your choice and perhaps embrace different cultures.
• DO build a personal wedding website. There are a number of companies that can create a website template for you to then build upon, often from as little as £30/$50. Your website will have its own unique URL hosting online for 12 months. You can then use it to show guests (and those not able to attend) more about the wedding destination you have chosen, send out invitations and receive RSVP's via email. You can even put a weather report and details of what to do at your destination for your attending guests. Then post photograph's and details about the wedding after it's happened.
• DON'T always think that because you can't afford something in your own country, you couldn't elsewhere. Exchange rates and countries of a product's origin mean they can be much cheaper.

A Wedding Abroad, might take a little extra effort and some good planning but it will certainly make for a truly unique, romantic and magical wedding day!