New Year, New Rules for Destination wedding planning. – 2021
Happy New Year!!
Let’s face it, 2020 was not the best year for most things, and weddings seem to top the list, along with travel. Ugh! So how do we go from the worst year to the best? Follow along as we help you navigate the new world of destination wedding planning.
So where do we start? Let’s start with what has changed in in destination wedding planning.
- Venues Selection – While Venue selection has always been at the top of the list for where to start with your wedding planning, yes, you should select your venue first and not the date. When you select the date first, you limit yourself to what venues are available for that date, and this may keep you from getting your dream venue. Start with your venue, and then your date. Even though this rule still applies, you will want to secure your venue as quickly as you can for the date you want. Due to covid19 and so many weddings getting postponed to 2021-2022, the best venues will be booking well into 2024-2026 in some cases.
The change brings with it some new ideas as well with regard to venue selection. More and more couples are requesting private and personal venues, over huge resorts and hotels. The need to share your day with only your guests has grown in popularity in the last few years and has come into its own with the need for safety and smaller gatherings as well.
- Government handling of coronavirus – Make sure that you hire a local planner that is living in your destination of choice. Find out about all of the rules and laws surrounding gathering and travel to the destination. As many countries are dealing with covid19 restrictions differently, don’t count on assuming the rules are the same. A local planner will help you to understand if there are any rules or laws to be followed, and keep up to date with the changing recommendations.
- Wedding Guests Lists – As a rule, the average destination wedding is pretty covid19 friendly, with most destination weddings average 50 people. That being said, we have done much larger destination weddings, but the new rules are trending toward keeping things more intimate and planning more of a private event. Our blog reasons to book a private venue may be of some assistance here.
We have so many new ideas on how to make your Mico-Wedding as special as a large soiree and have your guests talking about your wedding for months. As the saying goes, bigger isn’t always better and your wedding success isn’t determined by the number of guests invited. I personally love an intimate wedding, and I feel guests really connect with the Couple more, when there are fewer guests. If you are looking for some ideas on how to create the biggest wow factor, we have a blog for that too.
- Booking Flights – In the past, we have become so comfortable with booking travel without the help of a Travel Agent or Travel specialist. While post covid19 travel will look different on the flights and airports, it won’t look much different for booking but I can assure you, that for the next few years at least, you will want to book your travel with a Travel Support team. So why has covid19 changed travel booking? Due to the number of changes and adjustments we are all experiencing, you will want to have someone on your side, if your travel plans become disrupted due to illness or cancelled travel. Hiring a Travel specialist will put your mind at ease while they fight for you and your guests and work out issues with airlines. You can not put a price on peace of mind and I promise, you will thank me.
Keeping things normal is something that all planners are working with to make your day exceptional. We all need a reason to celebrate, and though it might seem a bit different, the love and the fun will still be there.
