|
Why having a Cancun Destination Wedding?Easy Most resorts have full-time, onsite wedding planners, arranging every aspect of your special day and leaving you time to relax and enjoy. Memorable; Having your family and special friends around you in Cancun will create a lasting memory. Money-saving; Destination weddings are often less expensive than traditional weddings due to their smaller size. In addition, you’re already in the destination where you plan to spend your honeymoon, and many resorts offer special complimentary weddings or affordable wedding packages. You’ll also spend a lot less by choosing an all-inclusive resort where much of the food and beverage expense is part of the lodging costs that will be assumed by your guests. You can also save more by having your wedding during the slow season. Planning your destination weddingHere are some planning tips. Do you love the beach, but your fiancé would prefer to stay in the U.S.? It’s your special day; where do you want to spend it together? • What kind of things do you like to do? Do you love the beach, you may consider getting married in the beach or in a church setting, for a more traditional service.• What are the travel plans of you and your guests? You may be spending a week or more, but many of your guests may be staying for a shorter length of time. Keep the time for your guests.• What is your budget — and the budget of your guests? You don’t have to have your budget finalized, just keep in mind the travel costs for you and your party.• What are the entry requirements? Government legislation now requires all people traveling to and from the U.S. or Canada to have a passport.• What are the marriage requirements? Some destinations may have residency requirements, meaning that you have to be in the destination for a set number of days before you can get married. Other requirements include blood tests, legal documentation, etc.Select your resort Now that you know where you are going, choose where you want to stay. • What kind of wedding do you want? Some resorts are lavishly elegant and some are totally laid-back. Some are intimate and some larger and self-contained. Some are sleek and modern, while others are more traditional. In addition, most resorts offer civil ceremonies, and some resorts can arrange a religious ceremony • All-inclusive or not? At an all-inclusive resort, meals and beverages are included in the price of your stay. So if your guests are also staying at the same resort, this can help cut the costs of the wedding. • Consider your guest list. Some resorts are for adults only, some are for couples only, and some allow children of all or varying ages. Know who you will be inviting to your wedding before you decide where it will be. • Know the requirements. If planning on taking advantage of the complimentary weddings that many resorts offer, know that some resorts may ask you to stay a certain number of nights or reserve a certain number of rooms. Also, check to see if there are any additional fees. • Mix it up! Want to get married at a romantic couples-only resort but invite children. Most resorts have sister resorts that allow children, so they can also join the wedding. Things to consider Be flexible and plan ahead Have several options for the date and time of your wedding. This way, you’ll be much more likely to be able to have your wedding at the resort of your choosing. And make sure the date is at least six months away. Who pays? Make the details clear. It is customary that the bride and groom pay for the accommodations for their attendants, and some wedding couples may pay for travel costs, as well. Decide what you are able to do and make these details clear to your attendants when you ask them to be part of your wedding. Send out "save the date" cards With traditional weddings, invites are usually sent out 4-6 weeks in advance, but for a destination wedding, that isn’t enough time for people to make their travel arrangements. It is recommended to send out the save-the-date cards six to twelve months in advance. Carry your dress on Many brides take their wedding dress on the plane as carry-on luggage. It is advised to make arrangements with the airline in advance. Some airlines allow the large "coat closets" in the first-class cabin area to be used for bridal gown storage. Send the rest Packing for a wedding and a honeymoon can add up, have some of your bridal party bring some items with them or ship items to the resort . If you are shipping anything, make sure you leave extra time. Bring copies of everything Bring in the required paperwork completed for your arrival. And bring also extra copies of your paperwork, just in case. • • |
