Change of Scenery

How to plan an out-of-town wedding

IN ADDITION TO OFFERING gorgeous scenery and one-of-a-kind experiences, destination weddings also offer a wonderful opportunity for family and friends to bond over the course of several days.

But before you book flights or lock in a venue, there are several factors you should consider – first and foremost, whether your dream locale is affordable and accessible to the majority of your guests.

“If your guests can afford a week long trip to Italy, awesome, do it, but if they can' t, you can' t expect them to be there ,” says wedding and event planner Catherine Campo of Spellbinding Soirées. “Also think about accessibility. Is [the destination] near an airport? Can guests drive if they're unable to fly? Is your grandma who's in a walker able to get to the ceremony location?”

Some couples live stream the wedding or make a video so nobody misses out.

For convenience, consider an allinclusive resort, where you can choose a one-stop-shop package that may include a wedding planner. But before signing the contract, review it for hidden costs in food and beverage minimums, approved vendors and minimum number of nights booked. “If you have to have a $6,000 food and beverage minimum, you're not going to do that for 20 guests,” says Campo. “All-inclusive resorts have restrictions on vendors you can use. … [They] can be more expensive than another local vendor or a vendor traveling from your hometown.”

One major way to save money is in the date. “In the busy season in the Caribbean it's going to be a lot more expensive than the off season. They upcharge everything,” says Campo, adding that getting married on a weekday is typically more economical.