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If you’re dreaming of getting married abroad but the thought of planning a destination wedding is overwhelming, these top tips will help take the stress out of your big day.
Getting married in a beautiful, far-flung destination is a dream for many, but the thought of planning a destination wedding can be a little overwhelming. We’ve consulted the luxury holiday experts at Sandals for some top tips on planning your wedding, so you can enjoy the stress-free destination wedding of your dreams.
Research Your Destination
Once you’ve decided you want to get married abroad, the next big decision you have to make is choosing where to get married. One of the great appeals of getting married abroad is that you can avoid the unpredictability of the British weather, so why not opt for a destination such as the Caribbean where you’ll find year-round sunshine, warm temperatures, and stunning scenery to provide the perfect wedding backdrop.
With 15 resorts located on the islands of Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Antigua, Barbados, Grenada and the Bahamas, Sandals Resorts offers a great range of choices for your wedding. Within the resorts you’ll also find a multitude of picturesque wedding venues. Whether you want a barefoot beach wedding, a tropical garden ceremony, or to say ‘I do’ in an over-the-water chapel, at Sandals all of this is possible.
Look Around for a Great Deal
Believe it or not, there are some great offers to be found when you opt for a wedding abroad, and they don’t mean skimping on quality. When you choose to get married at Sandals, you can enjoy a free wedding when you stay 3 nights or more or receive a $500 credit towards customising your own unique wedding.
At Sandals your luxury accommodation, gourmet dining, premium brand drinks, land and water activities, entertainment and more all come as part of the package, so there’s no need to worry about sticking to a budget once you arrive. Plus, your guests will love that the open bar extends to the whole holiday.
Learn more about the Sandals free wedding offer by clicking here.
Get Help With Planning a Destination Wedding
Planning a destination wedding in a different country can seem daunting, so enlisting the help of a wedding planner can help to relieve some of the stress. When you book a wedding at Sandals Resorts you’ll be assigned your very own wedding planning team to help you organise your wedding, with regular scheduled calls ensuring everything goes to plan.
Your wedding planning team will take care of everything from assisting with the legal process and documents, to bringing your wedding vision to life. They’ll talk you through the options if you want to customise your wedding and make it uniquely your own, help you plan activities for your guests, and be on hand to make sure everything runs smoothly while you’re in resort. Check out a real wedding that took place at Sandals Emerald Bay below and get an idea of what the team can help you create.
Consider Combining Your Wedding and Honeymoon
You’re already in an idyllic destination why not roll your wedding and honeymoon into one? If you fancy changing the scenery up, consider moving to another resort, or even doing a bit of island hopping. Sandals Resorts can be found on six Caribbean islands, so get married at one and then fly on over to another island to begin your honeymoon.
Choose a stay in one of Sandals’ Love Nest Butler Suites® to make your honeymoon a trip you’ll never forget. The Over-The-Water suites, Skypool Suites and Millionaire Suites are amongst the most coveted, but there are plenty of other romantic sanctuaries to choose from. Combine a stay in an incredible suite with the complimentary honeymoon package and get ready to enjoy the perfect start to married life.
Pack Appropriately
The hard part of planning a destination wedding is over. Your wedding is booked, guests invited, the big day is almost upon you – that mean it’s time to pack. A big concern for many brides is how to get your wedding dress from A to B. For this we recommend checking with your airline for their advice on how best to travel with your wedding dress as each airline is different, and if possible, request that your bridal store expertly pack your dress into your hand luggage so you can guarantee it travels safely with you in the cabin.
While the dress may be your main concern, don’t forget other essentials if travelling to a tropical destination like the Caribbean. Sun cream is a must, you wouldn’t want a burnt nose ruining the wedding photos, and of course bring plenty of swimwear for when you hit the beach. Most important of all, don’t forget your passport!
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