How You Glow, married her husband,
Brian Lehrer, in a Tuscan villa in 2018
surrounded by 33 happy guests. “Not
everything goes exactly as you planned
it,” says Sowlaty Lehrer. “But we let the
magic happen, imperfections and all.”
Plus, “destination” doesn’t have to mean
getting your passport stamped. Bustle
Events founder Erin Taylor says her home
base of Napa Valley attracts those wanting
a domestic hot spot. “It’s not just for the
wedding day. Guests can explore and take
it all in and not have to go anywhere else.”
We’re diving in, having pondered our
own options, and it seems that locations
further afield than New York are calling
our name. But even among all these
doubts and false starts, we’re sure about
one thing: We won’t take another dozen
years to make a decision.—T. M. Brown
They have done it before
Planners have a level of on-the-ground
knowledge you can’t mimic even after
spending endless hours researching
online. That expertise counts doubly
when you’re planning something
abroad, where cultural nuances can
be tricky to navigate. They can finagle
the best prices on pretty much
everything and secure vendors for
last-minute needs.They are unfazed by mon-
soons and creative types
Every planner can cite a weather
disaster and how they solved it, but
what can truly be unpredictable is a
couple who has a Big Vision of the Big
Day. “Weddings have become more
authentic to each couple,” says Taylor.
“No one wants a cookie-cutter event.”
These pros know how to say ‘no’ nicely.They field weird requests
Like “I want to transport my dog via
private jet” or “fly in my own doctor todestination weddingsWhy having a wedding planner helps (a lot)INVITE THEM AND THEY WILL DEFINITELY COME
NICETIES COUNT WHEN NAVIGATING YOUR GUEST LIST
GIVE THEM TIME
No one wants to buy a
flight to a far-flung spot
a handful of months
before the fact. Do a
save-the-date, or email
it. “That way people
can say, ‘Hey, this is
important and we have
plenty of time
to save for it,’ ” says
Loli Events founder
Lauren Fremont.REMIND THEM
You would be surprised
how many people don’t
check the expiration
date on their passports
until they’re headed
to the airport. Send a
funny note-to-self
memo in an email when
people RSVP and direct
them to make sure
they review and renew
immediately!CATER TO YOUR
GUEST STARS
Are your grandparents
central figures in
your life, or is one of
your guests’ mobility
impaired? Those aren’t
minor considerations,
says deBell. Be sure
to ask your venue about
accessibility options
before signing
a contract.You may think a destination event would create a mountain of
debt, but there are ways to scale down the costs.
KEEP TO THE SHOULDER SEASONS
High season—typically June through August in Europe and
Asia; December through February south of the equator—will
cost you dearly. Resorts may ask you to buy out the entire
property for three days instead of the usual two, boosting cash
outlays into the stratosphere. That’s why booking in May or
October can save you a ton of cash on everything from buyout
costs to flights. “Whether it’s Hawaii, Europe, the Caribbean,
or Greece, shoulder season is key,” says Bebell. “Otherwise, your
guests are paying exorbitant airfares.”
HAVE BOOTS ON THE GROUND
Technology makes long-distance planning fairly easy, but planners
such as Fremont of Loli Events, who specializes in weddings in
France, says “having somebody on-site is priceless” to negotiate
the best prices. Fremont works hand in hand with her business
partner, Coralie Prats, who is based in Paris.SHOP LOCAL
Here’s a jaw-dropping comparison: “You can get $25,000 worth
of flowers in New York City for $5,000 in France,” says Fremont.
Clients reap the benefits of being close to where the petunias
are picked or when labor costs are less, she adds. It also means
your wedding can look like it meshes with the gorgeous back-
drop you’ve chosen. Using libations from a close-by vineyard
or charcuterie snacks from the town butcher pay off at reception
and dinnertime. And why not review SoundCloud mixes for
in-town musicians recommended by the venue, instead of opting
for the expense of flying in your favorite funk band? —T. M. B.FEED, TRANSPORT
AND AMUSE THEM
”We have two rules
about treating
guests well,” says
Bebell. “Feed them
and arrange
transportation on
arrival.” Oh, and give
them at least one
excursion to enjoy
with the couple.
—T. M. B.BE REALISTIC
How many guests can
your venue (and bud-
get) accommodate?
Don’t invite 160 if you
can only afford 130. “If
you invite them, they’re
saying yes. Everyone
wants a vacation,”
says Kara Bebell, who
cofounded the
Travel Siblings with
brother Harlan deBell.Money, Honey:What will it cost?102
august + september 2019 brides.com