Destination weddings open up a world of possibilities for couples looking to get married on the beach, in another part of the country, or somewhere further afield. Sometimes it’s about trimming a ballooning guest list; sometimes it’s simply that the cost can end up dramatically less than a traditional local wedding. Whatever your reason, here’s what’s worth thinking through as you plan.
Start with when you want to get married, then where. Popular resorts book up fast, and you may need to be flexible on a weekday date if a Saturday or Sunday isn’t available.
Next comes location. When it comes to a tropical beach wedding, many couples escape the winter cold and head to the Caribbean, Hawaii, or Mexico. For others, one partner’s family is based outside the US, and the wedding happens abroad to satisfy that side of the family, sometimes followed by a smaller local celebration back home for everyone else.
Wherever you land, planning a destination wedding is often less stressful than planning a local one. Resort wedding coordinators handle most of the logistics, and the all-inclusive nature of it is a big part of the appeal.
Having more control over the overall cost is refreshing too, especially if you’re paying for it yourselves. A destination wedding naturally trims your guest list. You might get 20 people instead of the 150 to 200 you’d have invited at home, and your guests cover their own travel and lodging, so you’re mainly responsible for your own costs and the resort’s fee to host the wedding.
That said, destination weddings can climb in price quickly once you start customizing. There are always upgrades on top of upgrades, and the more luxurious the resort, the higher the overall cost.
Vendors are the other big decision. Resorts often try to handle photography and videography in-house, but those vendors work for the resort, not for you, and follow-up can be difficult if you’re not happy with the final photos or video. Bringing your own photographer and videographer from the US gives you someone you can actually reach afterward if something needs to be fixed.
Working with a US-based photographer and videographer also means professional coverage on the days around your wedding too, not just the ceremony itself. My destination packages include additional hours of coverage on off days, so you get a photographer and videographer who’s genuinely available to you throughout the trip, not just for one afternoon.
Before booking a vendor to travel with you, ask about their full cost, including travel and lodging. Some quote a flat rate that covers everything; others charge separately. Either way, budget for it, since it’s worth having someone you trust actually capturing the day.
Most resorts charge a fee to bring in an outside vendor who isn’t a guest at the property, but they typically waive it if your photographer/videographer is staying at the resort as a guest. At a wedding I shot in Punta Cana, the Hard Rock charged $1,000 for any vendor who wasn’t staying there. Factoring that fee into a local, resort-only vendor’s quote often puts them right in line with, or above, bringing someone you actually trust from home.
Keep these details in mind as you plan your destination wedding and decide who to hire to capture it, in both photo and video. For more information about my packages, please browse the site and schedule a consultation.
If you have any questions or would like to learn more about my services, click below to schedule a call to discuss your needs.
