Interested in having a destination wedding? Preparing for the wedding may be quite a hassle due to the difference between the traditions and the wedding requirements you have to settle on a different country. An overseas wedding planner – who knows the roundabouts of weddings in your chosen country – is just what you need. Learn how to plan a destination wedding and how to hire the perfect planner for your dream wedding.
Destination Wedding Planner
Wedding planners all over the world has the same goal – to exhibit a couples dream wedding! Wedding planners are hired by an engaged couple to help with the planning of the wedding. The chosen wedding planner will be the one who will coordinate and look for the suppliers. They will also make sure that the ideas of the couple will bring to life.
Destination wedding planners may cost slightly higher than your local wedding planner especially since there is a lot of planning and permits that should be taken prior to the day of the wedding. The wedding location, the planning services and the numbers of guests will also play a part in the total costing. Top wedding planners may charge at least 20% of your wedding budget. Here are the four ways that wedding planners’ price themselves:
- Flat fee: for the day-of planners and packages.
- Billable hours: the amount of time the wedding planner will be working is billed depending on hours.
- Percentage of vendor and venue invoices: It is dependent upon the other wedding costs
- Blended approach: the design, planning retainer and production fees are given at a flat rate, with vendor management and coordination at a 15-20% of those costs.
Reasons Why you should Hire a Destination Wedding Planner
Peace of Mind – All wedding planners aims to relieve the engaged couple of the stress that is involved in planning and managing a wedding. Wedding planners are there to answer your worries, give you the facts and offer an unbiased and professional opinion. They make decision making regarding your wedding easier and makes contingency plans when there is an unforeseeable event.
Great Experience – Aside from having the best background experience, top destination wedding planners will definitely give you what they promised. Their connections and relationships with suppliers and venues in the place of the wedding has been built through the years. Therefore, they know which ones the best is to execute your wedding ideas. Also, they’ve experienced almost every wedding glitch there is and so are able to manage them gracefully.
What Do Destination Wedding Planner Do?
Here’s the list of the common tasks that destination wedding planners are responsible for:
- Guide the clients regarding the local laws, permits needed, marriage licenses.
- Showcase the different vendors and venue that is suitable for the guest count, budget and idea of the clients.
- Helps suit the budget based on the couple’s needs and desire and offer suggestions on where to cut some expenses and what’s worth splurging money on.
- Offer travel guidance according to the knowledge and local research of the destination wedding planner for the clients and their guests to enjoy the country of destination.
- Create contingency plans for unexpected events.
- Coordinate with the suppliers and vendors regarding the wedding and the timeline.
- Manage the reservations and guestlists.
- Make recommendations for other services such as florists and audio and lighting equipment.
- May suggest the best hair and make-up artist for the clients.
- Negotiate, communicate and manage the catering.
How to Find a Destination Wedding Planner?
Not sure where to search for the best destination wedding planner on your chosen country or place? Here’s some ideas on how to find a destination wedding planner:
Social Media
Wedding planners who are quite popular often show their portfolio on their social media pages. This is a good medium for searching since you will also see the tagged photos of the clients themselves during their wedding and how much they loved the said planners.
Ask the Venue
If you are not really a fan of social media, then you may ask the venue you are eyeing for regarding their recommendations for wedding planners. Wedding planners often interact with these venues and knows which one the best is based on their customer service, vendor management, organization and professionalism.
Look for Testimonials
This is very important for anyone who’s business involves services. Read about other couple’s testimonials regarding the wedding planner. This will build your confidence and trust on them that they will be able to give you the wedding of your dreams.
Call
If you want to personally look for wedding planners but does not have enough time to go there, you may set up a call with a wedding planner that you are considering and talk to them regarding their fees, how it works and what their suggestions are. It is important to know also how these wedding planners will save the wedding during unexpected circumstances which requires fast decision-making. Lastly, ask for their portfolio and the most memorable wedding they’ve ever done. This will let you have a feel on why they love what they are doing.