Destination Weddings

During my wedding planning, I thought about having a destination wedding however we decided against it for various reasons. One of the main reasons was the number of children in our close families and their school schedules. The timing didn't work for us for our wedding however, we are looking forward to having a destination vow renewal for a future anniversary.

For others considering destination weddings, think outside of the box. Destination does not always mean an exotic location with a beach and clear, blue waters in the Caribbean. It could mean North Georgia Mountains, Disney World, or Grand Canyon. Additionally, you can also think Europe for those wanting to travel internationally. However, a tropical beach wedding is always a great option :) But remember the legal requirements for your marriage license especially for international weddings.

Another thing to consider is the cost, especially in today's economy. However, a good thing with destination weddings is that most locations include a FREE wedding as long as you meet their requirements (normally the number of guests). Also, a wedding "package" may be included which may range from simple floral arrangements and bouquets to full service with all vendors included.

Lastly (but not any less important), research travel costs for all guests. Some airlines and hotels will offer discounts for large groups, think about negotiating for the best price. Your best friend will appreciate knowing all costs before accepting your invitation to be your maid of honor. But remember to not be offended if she declines, especially in today's economy. Hopefully, she will be able to assist in other ways before the big day.

Keep Guests Cool

When having an outside ceremony, one of the first things your guests will want is a fan especially during the summer. What better way to add your creativity to your wedding than to combine a necessity with your wedding program. Program fans can range from one page with a stick to a number of pages attached with an eyelet and ribbon. The design can tie in your wedding theme with seashells, your wedding flowers or the wedding colors. You can add an engagement picture of you and your fiance or just have the ceremony details. The options are endless. Also, they make good "take-home" gifts for guests that love keepsakes.

I had program fans at my outside ceremony in April and all of the guests loved them, especially the ones in the sun. I included our wedding monogram, wedding party, and ceremony details. They consists of two pieces of green cardstock paper with a fan stick in between. Also, the edges were rounded. They were a joy to make and I didn't feel bad about having people outside in 80 degree weather because they stayed cool with the fans.
Here are some samples of other fan programs from Custom Programs: