The Art Of Invitation: Essential Dos & Don’ts For A Destination Wedding

Destination weddings often sound like a dream — the allure of saying “I do” against a scenic landscape, surrounded by your nearest and dearest, is difficult to resist. Yet it’s one that comes with a large number of considerations and potential challenges to be mindful of — selecting the perfect location, smooth logistics, and so forth. 

To help you navigate this often-tumultuous journey, we’ve put together a list of essential dos and don’ts.

DO: Use The Adobe Express App

If you’re a dedicated DIY-er looking to whip up your wedding invitations, save-the-dates, and social media announcements, then the Adobe Express app is definitely your best friend. Equipped with oodles of online wedding templates, fonts, and editing options, you’ll be able to let your creativity soar and turn out professional-looking designs that are totally personalised to your big day. 

Think of the gorgeousness you could dream up with this user-friendly design tool by your side — whether you’re channelling the tropical vacation vibes of a Hawaii ceremony or the unbridled romance of Paris, your wedding stationery could become a beacon of the unique charm of that far-flung place. So go ahead and whip up some announcements that set the stage for your soiree. Whether it’s a beautiful beach wedding or a funky urban bash, when your friends and family open their mail, they’re going to feel just like they’ve been magically transported to the destination of your choosing – and all because of the fact that your eye-catching invites have been made with the Adobe Express design app.

DO: Do Your Research

The excitement of planning a destination wedding is almost intoxicating, but in order to hit the ground running it’s important to begin your journey on solid ground. Start by researching every corner of your chosen destination, from the ins and outs of its weather patterns to the deep significance of its cultural customs. Not only will this help you to envision the perfect wedding day, it will ensure that your wedding plans are harmonious with the environment, and deeply thoughtful and respectful of tradition. Don’t forget to research the practical as well — how’s travel to and from your dream destination, and how easy will it be to find reliable wedding vendors on site?

By getting to know all of these details now, you’ll be able to hit the ground running when challenges do pop up, in turn guaranteeing that your wedding day will come together perfectly. And don’t forget to master the mundane details, like familiarising yourself with all of the marriage requirements in your chosen destination — it’s a small step that will guarantee a very big difference in ensuring that your perfect wedding day is exactly and absolutely that.

DO: Hire Local Vendors When Possible

When you plan a destination wedding, hiring local professionals can make all the difference. It’s a fun way to support the local economy in your destination. It’s also an easier way to plan all the details. The caterer who knows the local delicacies, the photographer who has already scouted all the best locations, and the florist who knows just where to find those stunning native blooms – hiring pros from the region where you’re getting married can really help a wedding come together.

Not to mention, choosing local vendors means you don’t have to lug all sorts of things for thousands of miles. How do you find the perfect vintage Rolls Royce and ship it across the ocean? What if you need a really large dance floor outside the major metro areas? Local pros have access to all the things you (ideally) don’t want to deal with, leaving you with much more time to focus on enjoying the journey to your big day.

DO: Communicate Clearly With Your Guests

When it comes to a destination wedding, it’s all about keeping the lines of communication open. Guests will need plenty of time to plan and save, so the more notice you can provide the better. And as soon as the initial details are in place, let your guests know the where, when and how of every element of your wedding; the more in-the-know your guests feel, the more they’ll be able to share in every aspect of your wedding journey.

Whether it’s a rundown on accommodation options, an update on the epic city you’ve picked, or the need-to-know details of the amazing activities you’ve planned, it’s all the little details that add up to a guestlist that’s there and ready to party on your big day. After all, you’ll want your nearest and dearest to be able to make it, so communicating like there’s no tomorrow (or at least until the wedding!) is the best way to make that happen.

DON’T: Neglect to Budget Carefully

While destination weddings can be incredibly romantic, they can also be incredibly expensive. From travel and accommodation to venue fees and vendor costs, the dollars can add up at lightning-fast speeds, so the best advice we can offer is to avoid financial stress by determining a realistic budget early on and sticking to it. 

Account for unexpected expenses and/or hidden fees and identify your priorities as a couple so you can confidently say, “no thank you” to those extras that gobble up cash. By planning carefully and being one with your budget, you can enjoy the big day without adding to the financial stress that so often plagues couples.

DON’T: Assume Everyone Will Be Able To Attend

Sure, dream of having all your friends and family there where you say “I do,” but the truth is not everyone will be able to attend a destination wedding and that’s okay! Whether for financial reasons, work commitments, or family obligations, not everyone will be able to make the journey and that’s understandable. So, be gracious if some invitees can’t say “yes” to making the trip and focus on sharing your special day with those who do. A great idea for the people who can’t actually be there? Consider live streaming your ceremony! That way, they can be a part of your day from miles away.

DON’T: Overlook the Importance of Travel Insurance

From taste-testing to reading through venue reviews, or running between dress fittings, it’s easy to get carried away when planning a destination wedding and overlook one of the most important parts — travel insurance. After all, who wants to think about flight cancellations or medical emergencies when they’ve organised the wedding of their dreams on a tropical island? But trust us, it’s better to be safe than sorry. The way we see it, you could spend hours, days, and months meticulously planning your destination wedding, only to see it all go up in smoke thanks to a flight that was cancelled at the last-minute or a medical emergency in a foreign country.

That’s where travel insurance comes in. It can protect you against the financial losses associated with last-minute cancellations, lost luggage, delayed flights, and unforeseen medical expenses. With a policy that covers the unexpected, you can put your head on your pillow at night and rest assured that you’re totally covered, allowing you to focus on enjoying your nuptials while surrounded by your nearest and dearest in a far-off paradise.

DON’T: Leave Everything Until the Last Minute

Finally, let’s talk about a golden rule for planning your destination wedding: Not leaving everything until the last minute. We get it, we get it. There’s so much excitement buzzing around that it’s easy to start procrastinating … and once you get caught up in picking out the perfect venue or spending hours of your day tasting cake flavours, it’s easy to leave the less glamorous tasks in the dust. 

But trust us, tackling things bit by bit will save you from a last-minute panic attack. Could you imagine scrambling to find a florist who is actually available on your wedding date or finding out someone else just booked the photographer you have been stalking on Instagram for years? Stress city! If you spread out your tasks, crossing off one or two at a time, there will be no need to freak out and everything will fall into place smoothly.

Giving yourself some breathing room allows for unexpected surprises and adjustments. What if you find a venue that’s a hidden gem you never knew existed? Or, what if you find the perfect shade of bridesmaid dresses that are on sale? If you stay on top of things and ahead of the game, you should be able to seize these opportunities without feeling rushed or overwhelmed.

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Planning a destination wedding isn’t exactly a walk in the park, but it can be an incredibly rewarding and memorable experience, as long as you approach it the right way. Let these essential dos and don’ts be your guide so you can juggle the process with ease and marry the one of your dreams. 

After all, you’re off on an adventure — embrace the stunning land and seascape, and, more than anything, revel in the courage and love that brought you to this somewhere special! All the best and congratulations!