Destination Wedding Tips
1) Agree with your fiancé on the details: where, when, who, how. Making sure you’re in agreement is the first step.
2) Create a budget. No, it isn’t sexy, but you’ll thank yourself later. You’ll quickly figure out what is do-able and what isn’t. Are you prepared to foot part of your guests’ travel expenses, hotels, or rental cars? If not, do you have alternatives?
3) If you’re having a destination wedding especially, the first item on your budget should be wedding insurance. What happens if your photographer doesn’t show up, and you have to hire one day-of at twice the price? Or what if a bridesmaid’s dress is torn during rehearsal at the beach and she needs to find a replacement. Chances are everything will go as smoothly as a boat on calm waters, but accidents can happen, vendors can make mistakes, and wedding insurance can be your raft in a stormy sea.
The good news is wedding insurance can be extremely reasonable, and typically ranges from $150 to $550 depending on the coverage plan. Be sure to explore your options as additional coverage is offered to protect you against other damages, such as lost photos or stolen gifts you discover once you make your way home.
General liability insurance for a wedding, which can cover up to $1,000,000 for mishaps, costs around $185. When lost deposits and major plan changes are staring you down, wedding insurance is the one item that can best restore a peace of mind. Here are two sites to research in the very beginning of your planning: www.protectmywedding.com, www.wedsafe.com.
4) A wedding planner is another really smart investment. One can help you get more of what you want without busting your budget. “Hire someone with fresh ideas and a passion for what they do,” said Sarah, of Sarah Diane Photography. “If you don’t, the task of time management and coordination falls on someone else, like your DJ or photographer.”
Some venues offer a wedding planner gratis. Others for a small charge. The planner will know all the best local wedding industry professionals. Just as important, a beach wedding planner will have a contingency plan “just in case.”
5) Don’t wait to start planning; get a head start. Meet with your planner (or caterers, florists, decorators, band, etc.) at least three months beforehand to make sure you’re on the same page. Then follow up 30 days out. Get to your destination wedding three days early to get the feel for things and to follow up on the inevitable loose ends.
Once you’ve started meeting with your vendors, don’t be afraid to say no if you don’t like them. Sometimes you just don’t get along. Cut them loose early before bad karma can take hold.
Get everything in writing from your vendors, so there aren’t any misunderstandings. Book services like a DJ “with a written contract to protect yourself,” said Jason Suthern, of the Jason Suthern Band. “A deposit up front for a small wedding really should not be required for a DJ,” but for others, a deposit is necessary. If you discuss things on the phone, send a follow-up email recounting your agreements, and asking the vendor to contact you immediately if there are any misunderstandings.
Ask all vendors about their unique requirements. Be sure you understand everyone’s specific electrical requirements months in advance, and who will be providing what resources for each necessity. Will you need to rent a generator or bring extension cords? “Musicians and DJs must provide their own sound equipment,” said Suthern. “But make sure the venue provides electric if musicians require it.”
6) Get information about local attractions. Sunset cruises, fishing excursions, sailing, the Texas State Aquarium, the U.S.S. Lexington . . . there are a lot of exciting things to do in the Coastal Bend and you may want to get groups together to enjoy them.
On the Texas coast, “the wind can be atrocious,” said Sarah, from Sarah Diane Photography. For outdoor weddings, check to see if the wind will be blowing. If so, you may need to use special techniques for hair and wardrobe. http://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/ is an excellent source for quick wind data, as well as information about high tides. You wouldn’t want your guests standing ankle deep in water during the ceremony.
“And beware of the ‘red tide’,” Sarah added. A red tide is a naturally-occurring, rapid algal “bloom” in the ocean. The blooms, seen in reddish patches of water, produce a toxin that damages the central nervous system of fish until they become paralyzed and cannot breathe. Red tides often result in large amounts of dead fish washing up on Gulf beaches. Unfortunate for more reasons than one, red tides make for an unsightly ceremony. For up-to-date information on red tides in Texas, visit http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/.
Lastly, ask if the mosquitoes are out. They usually come out in force a week after a heavy rain. Wind and dry weather keep them in check.
7) Be sure to get your legal documents in order. You must get the license from the county clerk to get married in Texas. There is a mandatory 72 hour waiting period after you get the license, which means you need to get the license three full days before the ceremony. The bride and groom must appear in person and bring a certificated copy of a birth certificate, driver’s license or other government-issued ID. Once you get the license, it expires in 30 days if not executed.
Don’t forget to arrange for the preacher or officiant, and to get any permissions you might need if you’re having a beach wedding. Some areas may require you to obtain a special permit or ask you to show proof of liability coverage in order to get married on their beaches. Be sure to compare permit prices ahead of time as they vary among communities.
9) Be selfish. This is you and your fiancé’s day, make it your own. Do it your way. Don’t get pressured into having the same old boring wedding. Make it fun!
10) At the same time, don’t forget about Grandma and Grandpa! Getting married on the beach can be truly special, but it can be tough navigating for your elders and ADA guests. Accessibility should be a foremost thought for sandy settings. Double check to make sure your reception or ceremony area is ADA compliant, or consider proper accommodations beforehand. And remember to tell your guests about the terrain so they can prepare ahead of time.
Put everyone in the same hotel. They need to meet each other sooner or later. Going through a common experience can create bonds. Hotels often will let you release a block of rooms if you have reserved too many, but they have deadlines. Check with the hotel to see when the latest date is that you can release rooms without penalty.
Get everyone together early, at least the day before the wedding. Make it a happy hour in the hotel bar, or meet at the beach. Guests want to catch up with friends and family, and meet the new family.
Give guests who aren’t in the wedding party the option of attending the rehearsal dinner. Remember, they’re away from home and may want to spend time around you.
11) Rain happens. If you’re getting hitched on the beach, make sure the venue or wedding planner has a “rainout” plan and alternate location. “Find a venue along the beach that has an indoor reception hall just in case,” said Jason of the Jason Suthern Band.
In general: “Expect the unexpected,” says Jason Page, freelance photographer. “And when you bring the coastline into account, there’s really no predicting what may happen.” South Texas has variable weather patterns (www.weatherbase.com shows 48 years of historical weather data for Texas. For day-of weather information, http://weather.noaa.gov/ is an excellent source).
One thing you should prepare for, however, is gawkers. “On the waterfront, the wind typically never ceases and there will always be people roaming about, in front of, and behind your wedding,” said Page. If you’re coming to Corpus Christi for a beach wedding, your best bet is to book a date in the beach off-season. “Your beach will be more open, resulting in better photos and less traffic,” said Page.
Sarah of Sarah Diane Photography sums it up best: “I think if you are getting married on the beach, you need to be aware of what that means: sand between your toes and windblown hair. Don’t sport a dress you’ll regret getting dirty or wet. Prepare for the wind, and don’t forget that public beach areas are usually littered with people, most scantily clad.”
Still, there are many perks to a beach ceremony. For one, “the sunsets are gorgeous,” said Sarah, “but they also have to be timed properly.” Luckily, professionals in Corpus Christi have the experience to make that happen.
Be gracious. Don’t forget to leave a gift in each guest’s room. Little things mean a lot. A bottle of wine or some cheese show you’re thinking of them. They traveled, so they deserve to be appreciated. And if you are having a beach wedding, get creative with it!
One way to show your appreciation for your guests is to provide adequate transportation to and from events, accommodations, and venues. Your guests have taken it upon themselves to show up. Now that they’re here, they’re depending on you!
