Destination Wedding Questions

Knowing the right questions to ask yourselves, your vendors, and any government agencies (the folks who make it legal) is key to creating a successful faraway wedding -- and avoiding tons of stress! (The other secret to a happily-ever-after event? Get all price quotes and agreements in writing, and worry no more.) Below is a question checklist to help guide you through the planning process. If you have any questions, don't forget to ask your travel agent for her guidance!


Picking a Destination

• Do you want to marry in the United States or in a foreign country -- a Caribbean island, Europe, Thailand?
   

• If marrying in the U.S., call the county marriage license bureau of the town in which you are having the ceremony. Are there any guidelines regarding birth certificates, health tests, and proofs of divorce (if applicable)?

• If marrying overseas, call the country's consulate or tourism bureau in the U.S., or the U.S. embassy in that country, to ask about the following: residency requirements, required documentation, medical tests, processing time for paperwork, proof of divorce, witnesses, and the requirements for a religious ceremony versus a civil ceremony. Do documents have to be translated? Notarized? Who can legally do this? How long do they estimate it will take to process your paperwork?

• What time of year is best to visit? Can you save money by marrying during the off-season?

• Does your destination offer easy access to wedding services: local photographers, videographers, caterers, florists, wedding planners?

• Has your destination been hit by recent bad weather: hurricane, tropical storm, drought? Have facilities been affected?

• If inviting family and friends, does the destination offer lots of activities for pre- and postwedding play?

Finding Your Wedding Style

• Do you want to marry by yourselves or in the company of family and friends?

• If you have guests, do you want a simple cake-and-champagne celebration, or a seated meal?

Are you willing to be flexible about elements of your wedding to save money, time, and sanity? (For example, if you have your heart set on wearing your mother's heavily beaded gown with full-length train, you may want to rethink your fantasy wedding on a balmy beach.)


Inviting Guests

• How many people are you inviting?

• Will everyone pay for their own airfare and accommodations, or will you cover some or all of the costs?

• Check with your travel agent to see if you qualify for any group discounts or perks.

• Have you checked everyone's availability for your chosen dates?

• If marrying overseas, are all your guests' passports valid?

Resort Information

• Does the resort have wedding packages or honeymoon specials?

• What are the different packages and what is included in each: officiant, flowers, music, cake, marriage license, photography, video, salon services, candlelit dinner, massage, etc.? If an option is not included, can it be arranged? What other extra services are available a la carte?

• If there are no packages, how are weddings priced? According to the number of guests?

• What deposit amount will reserve your day?

• Does the resort/ship offer free weddings with honeymoons of a certain length (often the case at all-inclusive resorts)?

• Do they offer discounts on return anniversary visits?

• Does the resort/ship have your desired wedding date available?

• How many days in advance of the ceremony should you arrive?

• How many other people will be marrying there on that day?

• Is there an on-site wedding coordinator? Will that person be there on your wedding day?

• Will the resort/ship do all the paperwork for you and/or arrange a meeting with the marriage bureau?

• Menus, bands, flowers, photography, officiates -- do you get to pick? Can you meet the officiant before the ceremony?

• Can you choose the wording of the ceremony? Can you personalize your vows?

• Can you hear tapes of bands? Will the resort/ship guarantee in writing that this is the band that will play (ditto for photographers)?

• Where can you get married on-site? Is anything off-limits? What happens if it rains?

• What types of decorations or themes do they offer? How much do they cost?

• Is the resort/hotel experienced at handling a wedding of your size?

• How many guests can attend the ceremony? Is there a charge for guests not staying at the resort? Are children allowed to attend?

• Does the property have enough rooms fo r your guests on that date? Do they offer group discounts? If there are not enough rooms available, where do they suggest the overflow stays? How close is that property?

• Can the site arrange a seated reception if you want one? Where on the site? What are the costs per person? Do the per-person rates vary by the time of day or day of the week or month? What do they include? Can you choose the menu?

• Will copies of your marriage license be mailed to you, or can you arrange to pick them up? Will the resort take care of that?

Cruise-Ship Specifics

• Which ships go to the destinations you want to visit on your honeymoon?

• Are there any specials offered to honeymooners? Cabin upgrades, breakfast in bed, room service, honeymooners reception?

• Do you want to be married on the ship or in a port of call? What are the costs for each type of ceremony? Marriage-license requirements?

• Onboard, where can the ceremony take place? On deck? In the ship's chapel? In another public room (disco, library)?

• If you are marrying on land, how will you be transported to the site? Will a wedding coordinator accompany you?

• How many non sailing guests are allowed at your ceremony?

• If you are having guests, how long may they remain on the ship?

Destination Wedding Consultants

• Is the wedding consultant included in the cost of your resort or your cruise. Is the consultant experienced with your destination? How many weddings has he/she done there?

• Does the consultant charge by the hour? By the package? According to destination and wedding size?

• What is the fee to start the process? Is there a deposit?

• Does the consultant have a cell phone to facilitate easy communication?

• What does the consultant expect your destination wedding to cost (low and high estimates)?