Sunday, March 19, 2006
Planning a Destination Wedding
What is a Destination Wedding?
As the cost of wedding climbs, many couples plan a destination wedding.
That is, they plan to have the wedding and honeymoon at the same location. Instead of hosting a large reception, the couple invites only their nearest and dearest to a mini-vacation. The money they would have spent on a traditional wedding will provide their family and selected friends with an entire weekend of memories in a great vacation spot, instead of one afternoon in a reception hall.
Many wonderful choices are available and the choice of the individual couple depends on special interests, location preference, type of venue, assistance available and budget. If planning includes invited guests, their needs and interests need to be taken into consideration, too.
If you are considering a destination wedding, keep reading.
How to find wedding professionals, service providers and vendors at the destination you chose for your wedding?
Various planning options are available to you. But even before you examin them you need to know where to start and what to do. Well, once you have chosen the destination contact the visitors information center and request information about what is, and what is not available in their area. Request brochures including those of wedding facilities, resorts, hotels, bed and breakfasts, inns, mensions, chapels etc...
Check the internet for wedding service providers, vendors and professionals and go to their web sites.
Do you like the look and feel of the site?
Does it provide you with the information you are looking for?
Did you find a clearly posted name, address, phone and email contact?
If not, skip it and go to another site.
Bookmark (favorite) the sites that are agreeable to you, and contact them.
Planning options
You can plan the wedding by yourselves. If so, you may wish to utilize the Internet, phone and mail in your search for wedding professionals, service providers and vendors. We are talking about your wedding. You want the best and the best deal. So take time and choose carefully. Contact them and judge their level of service and integrity before you make your selection. Did they respond in a timely manner?
Did they take the time and make an effort to reply to all your inqueries in detail?
If contacted by mail or email, did they include a phone number, time zone and days and hours of operation in their reply?
Did they seem sincere or over eager? You'll need to comunicate with them often and choose the one you built a trusting relationship with. OR
Find a resort, hotel, bed and breakfast, a villa on the riviera, a mension, a cruise or any other venue that offers wedding planning services for guests who stay there. You'd be surprised how many of these places have hosted weddings in the past, and may even have a wedding coordinator on staff. Check if they can accomodate the ceremony and reception right on site, or if they they make recommendations or arrangements. OR
Find a wedding chapel at the location you're interested in, that provides complete wedding packages. Chapel packages usually include photographs, flowers, music, officiant, and even marriage license. The only drawback to accepting complete packages is that, though they are the least expensive, they come as-is and you don't have a lot of control over some of the details. Additionally, you and your guests may be put off by the in-and-out nature of the ceremony. Generally the chapel will only arrange for the ceremony. You'll still need to arrange for lodging accomodations and if you so desire, a reception.OR
Hire a local wedding coordinator in your wedding destination. If you have acquaintences in that area, ask them to collect references. Check the internet under the terms -wedding coordinator in (city and state) and - wedding planner in (city and state)- in your favorite search engine. Contact the ones whose websites and information attract you and hire a wedding planner based where you plan to have your wedding. A planner who is familiar with the facilities, wedding service providers and vendors available.
But if you are planning to get married abroad, unless you have friends or family living in the general area of your destination wedding site, your best bet is to utilize the expertese of a travel agent who specializes in destination weddings and honeymoons. You'll need to start early and furnish the travel agent with information. Request that the travel agent assures that she/he arrange for every detail and guarantee that you have everything in place and confirmed at least 3 months before the wedding. You need plenty of time to inform your family and invited frieds, allowing them time to prepare all the travel arrangements and necessary documents.
Information You Need for a Wedding Abroad
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Different countries have different requirements for granting marriages to take place on their soil.
You'll need to know and be prepared in order for everything to go smoothly. If you work with travel agents who specialize in weddings and are also familiar with your destination, they should advise you. Otherwise, you'll need to contact the consulate and ask them if:
you need an entry visa.
there are any residency requirements - that is if there is a waiting period before you can get married.
you need to provide any documentation and if so, does it have to be translated.
you need to provide any medical records or undergo any medical tests and how long in advance of the wedding do they need to be submitted.
there is a waiting period between the time you obtain the marriage license and the wedding and if so, how long do you need to wait.
there any paperwork that needs to be prepared in advance and if so, how long before the wedding does it need to be submitted.
you need any witnesses, and if so, how many.
What are the ordinances regarding civil and religious ceremonies?
Is there anything else you need to know?
Unless you use a third party, present the following to to the representative of the lodging facility you plan to use.
list of details, services and recreation you desire
Now that your options are before you, you need to put together your list of details, services and recreation you desire. write them down in a priority order.
INFORMATION YOU NEED TO PROVIDE:
Your total budget
Your guest list
What expenses will you pay for how many guests? None - Wedding Guest Accomodations - Travel - All.
For travel - your day of departure and day of return, your guests' day of departure and day of return.
For lodging - your date of arrival and date of departure, your guests' day of arrival and day of departure.
Your wedding date.
Time of ceremony, time of reception and duration
Style of wedding
Number of guests
Who will make the guests' travel and lodging reservations?
Who will make the bride and groom's travel and lodging reservations?
Destination: USA (state, city) - Canada - Mexico - the Caribeans - South America - Europe - Asia - Africa - Australia add as many details as possible.
Special wedding theme: Disney - beach - western - country - floral etc...
Accomodations: Bungalow - condo - economy hotel - luxury hotel - lodge - motel - resort - rented villa - yacht - cruise ship - other.
Fun vacation activities: beach - casino - cruise - shopping - spa - sports (swimming, golf, excercising equipment, etc...) - tours
SERVICES YOU NEED FOR YOUR WEDDING DAY:
Catering or kitchen facilities
Ceremony location
Clergy - officient
reception location
bar tendering
dance floor
Wedding accessories: unity candles and holders - cake serving set - bridal garter - Guestbook and pen - toasting flutes - ring pillow - bridal purse - caketop
Florists
Attire for bride - bridesmaids - mothers - flower girl
Attire for groom - ushers - ringbearer - fathers
Marriage licenses
photographers,
Videographers,
rehearsal meal (lunch - dinner)
wedding cakes
Decorations
hair and make-up
Wedding music
Wedding favors
Rentals,
linens
Vallet parking
other
We recommend that if possible, both bride and groom will be involved in the decision making and interviews.
If you interview potential wedding vendors in person or by phone, have a note pad and pen handy, to write down important information and questions that may arise during your interview. If you interview them by email, print every communication and keep it in a folder.
Questions for the representative of the lodging facility:
How long have you been accomodating wedding parties?
How many wedding clients have you served?
Do you offer any guarantees?
What are your rates for the different accomodations (rooms - suites) you offer?
Do you offer bridal packages ?*
Do you offer discount for a block of rooms?
Do you offer a free room for every so many rooms?**
do you offer complementary lodging accomodations for Bride and Groom?
Do you provide transportation from and to the airport?
Are any meals included as part of the stay?
Do you provide rollaway beds to accomodate children?
Will you deliver small welcome gifts, we provide, to our guests' rooms?
What additional expenses may be charged?
Do you provide an insured and bonded babysitting service?
How much and by when will we need to put down the deposit?
What is the latest time frame for making changes?
Do they provide you with a written contract?
Does the contract include a 3 day cancellation clause?
* If you plan your reception to take place at a bed and breakfast, resort or hotel, it is most likely that they will accomodate your stay for the night before and/or the night after the wedding. If you ask, you'll find out that many hotels and resorts provide bridal accomodations as part of the package, though it may be presented as their wedding gift to the newlyweds.
** Some resorts and hotels offer a free room for every so many rooms.
(For every X number of rooms you get one free.)
You made your choice! Now you need to receive a written contract signed by the person in charge, and dated. The contract must include all of your responsibilities and all of the responsibilities, warranties and guarantees offered by the facility. Caveat Emptor - Buyer beware! Read each contract very carefully, on, under and above the line. Be sure that you understand it fully and agree with all the terms. If you have questions, concerns, or are uncertain, contact them for clarification.
In most parts of the USA you have 3 days to examin the contract and if you need to, cancel.
Informing your guests
If yours will be a destination wedding, you must plan it way in advance of your wedding day. Your guests need plenty of time to take care of all the details enabling them to leave town for a few days. If your wedding is planned abroad, they need to insure a passport and possibly a visa. Thet need to arrange transportation and accommodation, unless you arrange and pay for them. The first thing you need to do is send them a save the date card. Unlike a standard card informing your friends and family of your wedding date, you'll need to supply them with the following information:
- date
- Length of celebration time (Spend a weekend with us as we celebrate our marriage)
- Location
- requirements they need to take care of such as passport. visa, flight and hotel reservations, transportation, weather appropriate clothing, etc...
In today's computer age you can do so inexpensively, adhering to the theme of your wedding or destination. (Beach, ocean cruise, desert, etc...) All you need are blank, do it yourself - print your own invitations or 81/2 by 11 bulletin sheets, a computer and a printer.
For articles information and directions go to
http://www.a-weddingday.com/malldirectory/malldirectory11.html
Copyrights © 2006 All Rights Reserved Nily Glaser, A-wedding Day and Gan Publishing
Permission to re-print
If you would like to add contents to your site, newsletter, or publication, we grant you permission to post this Article and forward it to your friends.
You must include all copyrights information, keep each articles AS IS with no additions or deletions,
actively hyperlink to A-wedding Day http://www.a-weddingday.com
and to any links within the article, and post the entire by-line.
Set By Nily Glaser right under the title of the article, as a hyperlink.
AUTHOR BYLINE
Copyrights © 2006 All Rights Reserved Nily Glaser.
Nily Glaser is the founder of A-wedding Day, A-wedding Day which is a very popular Wedding Resource and Information Center, and a discount shopping mall for wedding gifts, supplies and bridal accessories.
Please Email send us a courtesy copy of your publication and / or the URL and a website link to http://www.a-weddingday.com/contacts.html
Please snail mail a copy of any printed publication using this article to:
A-wedding Day,
A Gan Publishing Company
3638 University Avenue Suite # 234
Riverside, California 92501
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
How to choose a wedding site.
General information
We recommend that if possible, both bride and groom will attend all interviews.
Always carry a note pad and pen to write down important information and questions that may arise during your interview.
Actually, choosing the wedding site that is just right for you, is a lot of fun.
Before you start looking, you should brainstorm. As you do, take to consideration your budget, your wedding theme, the atmosphere you want at your wedding, your interests, and your guests.
The location is one of the most important aspects of your wedding. So consider carefully what will make yours a special, one-of-a-kind wedding event. You have many option including a do it yourself wedding (friends and family contributing of course.)
Following is a list to get you started.
Ideas for wedding sites include:
A Home - do it yourself wedding,
Auditoriums - usually on a rental basis,
Beach - public domain may need permit and or license,
Bed and Breakfast - full service,
Camp Grounds - do it yourself wedding,
Club Houses - do it yourself wedding,
Country Clubs - most offer full service,
Conference Centers- some offer full service, some are on a rental basis,
Convention Centers - some offer full service, some are on a rental basis,
Hotel - May faclitate you with Ball Rooms, Grounds or Gardens. A Gazebo makes a wonderful setting for a wedding ceremony- Hotels offer full service
Houses of Worship - Churches - Synagogues - Temples - Mosques - etc...some offer full service, some are on a rental basis, some can only facilitate the ceremony,
Mansions - full service
Museums -some museums offer celebration rooms and may even help with special wedding themes, especially historical - usually on a rental basis,
Parks - Great - do it yourself wedding,
Patio - Gardens - do it yourself wedding,
ranches - usually on a rental basis,
Resorts - full service
Rented Halls - usually on a rental basis,
Stadiums - usually on a rental basis,
Yachts or Cruise Ships - full service,
You can probably come up with some more ideas.
Unless the location is your top priority, choose the dream location and a few alternative sites that will be just right for you, so that if necessary you can be flexible.
Some location are natural for weddings and offer all the amanities you need. Others rent the space and leave the rest to you, still others are free but you have to make all the arrangements. So, consider your budget, consider the work involved, consider your guests and choose the site that will afford you your dream wedding.
The information you gather, is actually a great preparation for your interviews.
FULL SERVICE WEDDING SITE and FACILITIES
These are venues that can take care of every little detail regarding your ceremony and reception. You'll still need to attend to your personal needs. You'll need to attend to the attire, wedding accessories and wedding gifts for each other, family, and wedding attendants.
SITES AVAILABLE on a RENTAL BASIS
Many wedding sites are available on a rental basis. Some provide the space, others provide tables and chairs too, while still other provide linens, tableware, flatware and glassware as well. There are also rental based sites that have a working relationship with selected caterers and are familiar with other wedding service providers and vendors.
PUBLIC SITES
Public parks, beaches, gardens etc... make great wedding sites and are perfect for do it yourself weddings. They offer you the opportunity to express yourselves in an unconfined atmosphere. Most are free to use but you'll need to do the majority of the planning and contracting. Your first step is to find if you need any permits and or licenses. If you do, obtain them.
HOME
Many apartment complexes, condominums, mobil home parke and gated communities have club houses for their residents´ use.
So whether you choose to have your wedding in a home or a club house, you'll need to be in charge.
Do recruit your family and friends and assign them appropriate tasks. Most will be honored to be asked and excited to be a contributing part of your wedding.
How to Find Wedding Sites
Once you have chosen the type of wedding site you want for your wedding, do the following:
Ask your family, friends and acqaintances for recommendations.
Attend bridal shows.
search the yellow pages under the appropriate category.
Either call or visit the facility and request a brochure specific to weddings.
You want only the best! Be selective!
Ask yourself the following questions and answer them
When visiting or calling, were you greeted cordially?
Were you able to obtain the information you requested in a timely manner?
Were the people you spoke with helpful?
Too helpful and eager?
Now, check the internet for local wedding sites and go to their websites.
Do you like the look and feel?
Does it provide you with the information you are looking for?
Does it show or tell about unique one-of-a-kind weddings?
Can you find Free gifts, Free articles or Free information?
Are they helpful?
Did you find a clearly posted name, address, phone and email contact?
If not, skip it and go to another site.
Bookmark (favorite) the websites that are agreeable.
Place the brochures in a folder until you are ready to choose a few favorites.
What to Expect of the Representative of the Facility:
A business card of each person you may work with within the facility.
A brochure that explains what is offered and any exclusions, rules, regulations and options.
References
A tour of the facility so you may check their amenities.
Questions for the representative of the facility:
Please note that not all questions apply to all. Each question will indicate what venue(s) it is directed to.
fs = full service
rb = rental basis
ps = public site
Are there bathrooms on the premises? ps
Are there garbage recepticles on the premises? ps
Are there electric outlets on the premises? ps
What are the hours available for a wedding? ps (Most public sites are available only on certain days and certain hours.)
Is there a parking area close by? ps
How long have you been accomodating wedding parties? fs - rb
How many wedding clients have you served? fs - rb
Do you offer any guarantees? fs - rb
Do you have an in-house wedding coordinator? fs - rb
Do you offer a bridal package? fs
What are your rates for the different packages and what are the options available? fs
Can you recommend wedding vendors and service providers your customers had a good experience with? fs - rb
Do you offer any discounts? fs - rb
What additional expenses may be charged? fs - rb
Do you provide an insured and bonded babysitting service?* fs
How much and by when will we need to put down the deposit? fs - rb
What is the latest time frame for making changes? fs - rb
Will you provide us with a written contract? fs - rb - ps
Does the contract include a 3 day cancellation clause? fs - rb - ps
* If you plan not to include children in your reception, do not alienate guests who'd rather bring children than miss your wedding. You should provide a babysitting service for such guests.
Once you made your choice, you need to receive a written contract signed by the person in charge, and dated. The contract must include all of your responsibilities and all of the responsibilities, warranties and guarantees offered by the facility.
Caveat Emptor - Buyer beware!
Read each contract very carefully, on, under and above the line. Be sure that you understand it fully and agree with all the terms. If you have questions, concerns, or are uncertain, contact them for clarification.
In most parts of the USA you have 3 days to examin the contract and if you need to, cancel with no penalties.
Copyrights © 2006 All Rights Reserved Nily Glaser
Permission to re-print
If you would like to add contents to your site, newsletter, or publication, we grant you permission to post this Article and forward it to your friends.
You must include all copyrights information,
keep each articles AS IS with no additions or deletions, (grammatical corrections accepted), actively hyperlink to A-wedding Day
http://www.a-weddingday.com and to any links within the article,
and post the entire by-line.
Set By Nily Glaser right under the title of the article, as a hyperlink.
BYLINE
Copyrights © 2006 All Rights Reserved Nily Glaser
Nily Glaser is the CEO of A-wedding Day a very popular Wedding Resource and Information Center, and a discount shopping mall for wedding gifts, supplies and bridal accessories.
Please send us a courtesy copy of your publication and / or the URL and a website link to
http://www.a-weddingday.com/contacts.html .
Please snail mail a copy of any printed publication using this article to:
A-wedding Day, A Gan Publishing Company
3638 University Avenue
Suite # 234
Riverside, California 92501
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Choosing Lodging Accommodations for bride, groom and wedding guests
General information
We recommend that if possible, both bride and groom will attend all interviews.
First things first! Always carry a note pad and pen to write down important information and questions that may arise during your interview.
Whether the wedding takes place in your geographical location or is a destination wedding, some people may need accommodations.
Are you planning to have your wedding reception in a resort or hotel ball room?
Will any family or guests travel to your wedding?
How many will any need a place to stay?
What are the date of arrival and the date of departure?
Will you stay longer than your guests?
Who will make the arrangements for the lodging accomodations for the bride and groom?
Who will make the arrangements for the lodging accomodations for the guests?
Who will pay?
Whether you interview with representatives of bed and breakfast, resort, hotel, inn or other lodging facilities, the answers to these questions are actually a preparation for your interviews with them.
What to expect of the representative of the lodging facility:
A business card of each person you may work with within the facility.
A brochure that explains what is offered and any exclusions, rules, regulations and options.
References
A tour of the facility including guest rooms, so you may check their amenities. Will your guests be comfortable?
Questions for the representative of the lodging facility:
How long have you been accommodating wedding parties ?
How many wedding clients have you served?
Do you offer any guarantees?
What are your rates for the different accommodations (rooms - suites) you offer?
Do you offer a bridal package?*
Do you offer discount for a block of rooms?
Do you offer a free room for every so many rooms?**
Do you provide transportation from and to the airport?
Are any meals included as part of the stay?
Do you provide roll away beds to accommodate children?
Will you deliver small welcome gifts, we provide, to our guests' rooms?
What additional expenses may be charged?
Do you provide an insured and bonded babysitting service?
How much and by when will we need to put down the deposit?
What is the latest time frame for making changes?
Will you provide us with a written contract?
Does the contract include a 3 day cancellation clause?
* If you plan your reception to take place at a bed and breakfast, resort or hotel, it is most likely that they will accommodate your stay for the night before and/or the night after the wedding. If you ask, you'll find out that many hotels and resorts provide bridal accommodations as part of the package, though it may be presented as their wedding gift to the newly weds.
** Some resorts and hotels offer a free room for every so many rooms.
(For every X number of rooms you get one free.)
You made your choice! Now you need to receive a written contract signed by the person in charge, and dated. The contract must include all of your responsibilities and all of the responsibilities, warranties and guarantees offered by the facility. Caveat Emptor - Buyer beware! Read each contract very carefully, on, under and above the line. Be sure that you understand it fully and agree with all the terms. If you have questions, concerns, or are uncertain, contact them for clarification.
In most parts of the USA you have 3 days to examine the contract and if you need to, cancel.
Copyrights © 2006 All Rights Reserved Nily Glaser, A-wedding Day and Gan Publishing
Permission to re-print
If you would like to add contents to your site, newsletter, or publication, we grant you permission to post this Article and forward it to your friends. You must include all copyrights information, keep each articles AS IS with no additions or deletions, (grammatical corrections accepted), actively hyperlink to A-wedding Day and to any links within the article, and post the entire by-line. Set By Nily Glaser right under the title of the article, as a hyperlink.
BYLINE Copyrights © 2004 All Rights Reserved Nily Glaser, Nily Glaser is the founder of A-wedding Day, A-wedding Day a very popular Wedding Resource and Information Center, and a discount shopping mall for wedding gifts, supplies and bridal accessories.
Please send us a courtesy copy of your publication and / or the URL and a web site link.
Please snail mail a copy of any printed publication using this article to:
A-wedding Day, A Gan Publishing Company
3638 University Avenue Suite # 234
Riverside, California 92501
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