Destination Weddings

The popularity of weddings at a distance is increasing.  It is a way to combine the honeymoon with the wedding, and for at least part of the celebration, to bring your friends along.  Many couples prefer to have the simplicity of a charming wedding at a meaningful location, then throw a big party for the reception on their return.

Begin by deciding where you would like to have your wedding.  This is not just a matter of venue, as if you intend to have your ceremony locally.  It is a matter of what country, or island, or city, for example: Las Vegas or Maui or Italy.  Once you have decided upon the location, you will want to visit a travel agency (particularly if you want to be married overseas) to find out the cost, possible accommodations, and perhaps, if they have any specials or any package deals.  This will give you a framework to start with, as well as providing you with date options.  It’s important to be flexible about travel plans, because there may be certain dates that are booked.

Next, you will want to check into possible venues.  If you have gotten lucky and have found an acceptable package deal, this much is taken care of for you.  Otherwise, you will need to start from scratch, searching the web to find out what venues may be available in the locale you prefer.  Many cities have a website that offers connections to businesses in their area, but you will need to do a little research in order to find just what you’re looking for.

You will need to have hotel accommodations if you wish to stay overnight.  If you are choosing a cruise for your destination, this is already covered.  You will merely have to have your guests book the cruise as well.  Also, guests will need to make arrangements for hotel or, if you are paying their way, you may want to book a block of rooms for the duration.

The ceremony itself may be fairly easy to plan.  If you are going on a cruise, you can often make arrangements for the captain of the ship to perform the ceremony.  You may want your own officiant, so long as you pay for his or her accommodations.  If you are going to a remote location, you may need to do some digging to find out if there is a clergyman or officer who can perform the wedding.  Of course, places like Las Vegas have many wedding chapels which suit a variety of preferences.

Some couples report that they save a great deal of money by having their wedding at a special place, but this depends on what the budget allows and how long your stay.

Themed Weddings

What could be more fun than having a wedding?  Having something that really relates to who you are as a couple and expresses the good times that you have had with something, whether a hobby, a spectator sport, a special vacation spot, you name it.

Some of the excitement for this type of wedding will test the creativity of your wedding officiant or planner, to write a ceremony that is full of what is special for the two of you, or you may even want to write it yourself.  We often personalize our vows in this way, but now the entire ceremony can be specialized to you. In any case, it should be delightful and entertaining for your guests.

Where do you start?  The first thing to do is to brainstorm.  What do you like to do? What do you share as a couple?  What kind of hobby gives you joy? These questions should get you started and encourage your creativity to flow.  When you have some options selected, pick your theme.

Once you have selected your theme, think about the peripheral, visual parts of your wedding.  This includes decorations, your wedding gowns and tuxedos (which now become costumes) and the atmosphere of your venue to immerse your guests in your themescape.  You will want to adjust your entrance, your music, and, of course, the script of your ceremony.

Decorations can be selected with help from the local dollar store, a sporting goods store, the fabric shop and a thrift shop.  While you may not normally expect to shop for a wedding in these places, when it comes to theme weddings, you will be able to exploit these stores for the most rare of items.  This includes finding sports jerseys, books that can be used as decor, glassware for the reception, whatever your heart’s desire.

For your attire, you can usually find something unique at the above locations as well.  Think in terms of the image you wish to represent, and you can go wild. Suppose, for example, that you wish to have an Alice In Wonderland wedding.  You should be able to find a red dress anywhere, but a ball gown with a hoop skirt, for the Queen of Hearts, may be a little more difficult to find.  Thrift stores have this kind of thing from time to time. The items are usually cleaned, so don’t feel you have to skimp on quality. The groom’s attire for this wedding might be a military style uniform.  Some may want to alter the pants with a stripe down the side, but you should be able to find something special. Of course, the clothing for your attendants may be a little more difficult to find, and you may want to make them, for example, pillow cases with playing card faces on them, worn with leggings for each. The attendants may wish to get in on the fun as you create something special. Do this for any of your themes and you will be having fun that will last a lifetime.

Personalizing your ceremony script to reflect your theme will add to your fun.  Writing a fun, rhyming poem to highlight the address is always a good place to start.  Preface that with a themed greeting and following with vows that you have written will make your day memorable.  Writing not your thing? Find a talented wedding officiant who will offer to write your ceremony according to your dreams.

You may wish to carry the theme over into your reception, and you can do this just as easily as you have done for the ceremony, using the same sources for decor.  The main thing is to enjoy!