FAQ – Everything you need to know about planning a destination wedding.

• Your guests will appreciate having plenty of time so they can request time off from work, and save up for the best kind of vacation—your wedding.
• You will need some time to get your documents in order. In many Caribbean countries, certain official documents will need to be translated into Spanish and sent through the embassy. Also, you must have a passport if you don’t have one already or update it if it’s close to expiring. Typically, your passport must be valid until the date of expected departure from the country you are visiting. You can visit the following government sites to learn more about the documentation you need to travel. US Citizens, Canadian Citizens.
• The best venues are busy, no matter where in the world you are.  Give yourself enough time to secure the best options for you.

• Cost – The typical destination wedding is a fraction of the cost of a traditional wedding; and, you also get a vacation with your family and friends. The country is a popular destination for honeymooners as well, so you could have it all-in-one.
• Simplicity – Whether you are working directly with a hotel using a pre-packaged offering, or hiring a planner to customize your event, there is much less work for you. You will have meetings and make final decisions, but they do all the work, and you get the dream wedding results.
• Variety – There are options available to you that may not be available at home. The Dominican is a tropical paradise, with old-world charm and romance. We all want our day to be special and memorable, and a destination can do that.

• Make sure to have all legal documents prepared early to avoid stress. Waiting for a passport to arrive, with only days to spare before departure is something no one needs.
• Bring all medications you require for the duration of your stay. It doesn’t hurt to bring a few extra, just in case.
• Bring along an extra set of glasses should you wear prescription. Nothing worse than spending five of seven days unable to see, should something happen to yours.
• Make sure you speak with your doctor to get any required vaccines.
• Make sure you have, and understand, your travel medical insurance just in case there is a need.

The #1 reason that you should hire a wedding planner.

-Whether it is an intimate affair or a large black-tie event, planning requires a lot more than just picking out pretty flowers or tabletop décor. A planner essentially juggles the roles of designer, legal counsel, budget manager, coordinator and so much more—all while helping you pull together the wedding of your dreams.

They take care of everything on your list, from choosing aesthetic details to going over vendor contracts and dealing with “day-of“ activities smoothly and efficiently. All of this makes hiring a planner a huge asset for busy couples hoping to approach the checklist with minimal stress and endless hours of emails and phone calls.

Plus, they’re connected with top vendors, venues and pros in your area, ensuring you have the best team of experts to pull off your celebration.

Simply put, hiring an experienced, local planner is the key investment you can make when bringing your destination dream wedding to life.