Destination weddings continue to gain popularity. In fact, a recent survey conducted by the Condé Nast Bridal Group found that the number of destination weddings has increased by 400 percent in the last 10 years. Why are so many brides going the destination route? Well, for one, many say it cuts down on a lot of the stress. Imagine relaxing on a pristine beach in the days leading up to your wedding and getting married with crystal clear waters as the perfect backdrop for your photos. And who needs to worry about decorative flowers when your ceremony site is already lined by lush palm trees? We’ve rounded up some of the best advice from destination experts so that you’ll be prepared to say I do somewhere new.

 

            When it comes to planning your destination wedding, the rules of etiquette might be slightly different than a traditional wedding. For one, you should give your guests plenty of time to book their travel plans, especially if they’ll need a flight. This means getting your invite out early, or better yet, sending a save-the-date up to a full year in advance. You may also want to consider helping your guests to make their arrangements. This doesn’t mean booking everyone’s flight for them, and you are certainly under no obligation to pay, but you may want to think about having suggested flight and transportation plans discussed in your invitation materials. Many brides don’t realize that they may be able to work out a group discount for their guests.

            “We always recommend to our brides that they contact the available airlines and ask about getting a group rate,” says Johanna O’Brien, event planner with Katilady Events, a wedding planning group which helps brides with their St. John’s destination weddings. “Just like you can get a grouping of rooms blocked in a hotel, many airlines allow you to block off seats for your guests.”

            Another thing to consider is the guest list. When planning a destination wedding, you may not feel as obligated to invite extended family. “Right now a popular number seems to be guest lists in the 30 to 40 people range,” says O’Brien. “It’s often immediate family members, the bridal party, and a few of the bride and groom’s closest friends.” O’Brien adds, however, that there is certainly no “rule,” and they’ve done weddings where 100 or more guests showed up. “It depends on what the bride and groom want,” she says.

            “If you have a large group that you want to take with you, consider choosing a destination that is very convenient in terms of getting there and expenses,” says Tara Soloway, co-owner of LUXE Destination Weddings, a company that specializes in luxury destination weddings to the Caribbean and Mexico. “Think about making your guests’ experience as easy and straightforward was possible, especially if you want a lot of them to be able to make it.”

            Of course, one mistake couples make is assuming guests will not come based on the distance they’d have to travel. As with any wedding, always stick with the rule of inviting only those people who you truly want to be there. Don’t invite guests you don’t want to attend just because you think they won’t be able to make it. You may be in for a surprise when they show up—and spend the whole week on the island with you!

            As far as what to wear, O’Brien says they’ve seen it all. “We do see a lot of simple, lace gowns but there are always those brides that still want to do the full ball gown,” she explains. “It all depends on what the bride wants, and what location they’ve selected. Is it in a luxury villa or is it in a pavilion, right on the beach?”

 

            If you’re not sure where to turn or what steps to take in planning your wedding away, you may want to consider hiring an expert planner or company like Katilady Events in St. John’s or LUXE. The pros can get everything under control, and make your planning process a breeze. “We try to help brides and grooms make the experience as stress-free as possible,” says Soloway. “There is a lot involved, but it can also be one of the most fun experiences you’ll have. You’re getting your closest friends and family to come on a dream vacation with you, and watch you get married—combining two of the best life experiences into one.” LUXE includes a team of experienced travel agents, wedding consultant, graphic and web designers, and photographers, all rolled into one company, so they can handle all of your needs from start to finish.

            There are many places and companies that can help you plan your dream wedding, depending on where you want to hold it. Sandals, a series of popular Caribbean resorts focused on couples, can also help you plan a destination wedding at one of their locations. They offer various wedding packages, including wedding designs by Preston Bailey, the world-famous wedding planner.

            When it comes to finding your vendors and figuring out all the details, packages that include everything can offer one-stop-shopping and convenience. But some brides don’t want to get locked into a package deal. If you’re set on having a particular linen style, certain colors, or other very specific details, you’re best bet is to use the help of an expert. “Weddings in the States have lots of vendors who can provide every detail, but on the island things are limited,” says O’Brien. “We combat that by having brides send us things like table runners, accent colors, and more, so that we can be sure to incorporate them into the wedding.”

            “Destination weddings have come so far in just the past five years,” adds Soloway. “They used to be the just the bare-bone basics. Now they are more like home weddings. Maybe not as many people, but all the details the couple would’ve had at home. We can help you have the same quality vendors or the specific linens you would have selected at home.”

            A professional planner can help you find the perfect vendors, whether they are local, or brought in for the wedding. “Wedding photos are so important, so we have a variety of photographers we work with on-site, as well as photographers we fly in,” explains Soloway. “We find out what our clients’ style is and make the proper recommendations for them.”

            Sometimes local vendors can be the best bet, and know the area better than anyone. Gilda Badillo is a photographer based in Cabo San Lucas, and has shot many destination weddings in Mexico. She offers the following tip when seeking a local photographer: “Make sure [the photographer] has good equipment, knows the place very well, and is a member of a photographer’s association.”

           

While the term “destination wedding” probably brings to mind a tropical island or a faraway locale, the truth is a destination wedding can be any wedding that’s not at home. That can mean choosing a spot within the U.S. for your big day. Keeping your wedding in the States can have some advantages like cutting down on the cost or length of flights, and eliminating potential language barriers while still giving guests—and yourselves—the taste of a new place. Popular destinations within the U.S. have included the beaches of Florida or California, a big city wedding like New York, or even an Alaskan wedding with glaciers in the distance.

On the other hand, some brides want to go even further, and more exotic, and why shouldn’t they? Some couples are considering weddings in romantic European destinations like Paris, Tuscany, or Spain. Others want to host their special day on distant islands like Hawaii or even Fiji.

No matter what location you select, a destination wedding should encompass all of the elements to comprise your perfect day. Whatever you want to dream, a destination wedding can help it come true.