The Five Commandments
Stress less
Words by Emily Russ1
KEEP A BUDGET
A wedding budget might seem like
an oxymoron but it can be your best
friend when planning a wedding. Discuss
with your partner exactly how much you plan
to spend, and be sure to put a little extra cash
aside in a back-up fund just in case something
unexpected happens or a loved one can’t
afford to travel to your wedding. It’s im-
portant to be super organised by keeping a
spreadsheet of absolutely everything. Your
itemised list should include each component
of the wedding and the expected costs, but
be sure to track the actual costs as you go to
ensure you don’t blow the budget.2
CONSIDER
YOUR GUESTS
Remember, a destination wedding
is also a holiday for your guests. While it’s
impossible to get everyone’s buy-in on each
decision, try to make the experience feel
inclusive when possible. Group accommoda-
tion is a fabulous option for negotiating bulk
discounts and it’ll also help less travel-savvy
guests feel more at ease. Consider where most
of your guests will be flying from and check
airfare prices and connections – you don’t
want your guests paying exorbitant amounts
to join you or changing flights several times
just to get there. If some of your invited guests
don’t have the budget or time to attend your
destination wedding resist pressuring them.A destination wedding is often less
stressful than a wedding at home,
especially if you appoint a wedding
coordinator or your chosen resort
includes one as part of its wedding
package. However, there are a few
things you need to do to ensure the
entire planning process and actual
wedding goes off without a hitch.stress-free affair. Australian and overseas
wedding venues that specialise in destination
weddings often have a dedicated wedding
coordinator who is happy to organise
everything for you at no extra cost. Many
brides we’ve spoken to who have had
destination weddings, refer to their wedding
coordinators as “angels”. However, if you
have something bespoke or unique in mind,
or are dreaming of a five-star event unlike
anything your chosen resort has done before,
it pays to find your own wedding planner
who can work in conjunction with the resort’s
wedding coordinator. Wedding coordinators
are pros at communication, understanding
the local geography and customs, and
sourcing suppliers – giving you precious
peace of mind that you’ll really be
thankful for.5
HAVE A
BACK-UP PLAN
Imagine this: You’ve planned your
dream beach wedding and all of your
favourite people are there, then an hour
before your wedding ceremony the heavens
open up and it pours with torrential rain.
It’s times like these that you’ll wish you had
a back-up plan. The worst thing you can do
is let this kind of stuff ruin your special day,
which is why it’s important to discuss a
back-up plan with the resort before your
actual wedding day. Being prepared will
alleviate stress and give you the confidence
to make your dream wedding a reality.Instead, organise a post-wedding soiree
where you can share your wedding photos
and catch up with those who would’ve loved
to attend but weren’t able to.3
BE PRACTICAL
Although it’s a phrase every bride is
probably familiar with, it’s easier said
than done when planning a destination
wedding. To ensure the day is stress-free, do
some research. Knowing about things like
monsoonal patterns and vaccinations from the
get-go will help you decide where and when
to marry. Find out about the flight times,
wedding legalities, accommodation
options and best times of year to travel to
your destination of choice. See whether there
are any festivals or major events scheduled
and try to avoid those dates as costs are likely
to be much higher, not to mention the influx
of tourists. On the flip side, avoid the low
season as restaurants and must-see sites
could be closed during that period. It’s a good
idea to share relevant information with your
guests in the form of an information sheet that
can be sent out with the invitations.4
ENGAGE
AN EXPERT
If you spend money on one thing for
your destination wedding, make it a wedding
coordinator. A good wedding coordinator is
a lifesaver who will help make your big day
(and of course the lead up to it) a very26
PHOTO COURTESY OF PARROT CAY BY COMO