Destin Wedding Planning – From SOLARIS Wedding Planners
So You’re Engaged….Now What?
Congrats on your engagement. Now that you’ve found the one, it’s time to start planning the day you’ve dreamed of your entire life. If you are planning a wedding in Destin Florida, you are choosing one of the most beautiful destinations in the world. Whether you live locally or far away, planning a destination wedding can be quite stressful. Consider these tips from the SOLARIS wedding planners who have over 10 years experience planning weddings in Destin.
Shout It From the Rooftops – First you have to share the good news with family and friends. Obviously engagement announcements to immediate family and close friends should be in person or on the phone. Announcements to everyone else could be via email, social media or scheduling a photo shoot and printing out engagement announcements to snail mail out. Your parents or close friends might also consider throwing you an engagement party to tell everyone at once.
Plan – January is one of the busiest months for wedding vendors, with many booking up for the entire year and into 2016. The sooner you can plan, the sooner you can secure the vendors you want. The first step is for you and your fiancée to sit down together to brainstorm what you envision for your wedding, i.e. what you want, what you don’t want, timing, etc. Sketch out an outline or notes on things you both agree on for the location, ceremony, reception and honeymoon.
Budget – This might be the most important part of the wedding planning process. It will also be a sticky conversation for you and your love but it will be the first of many throughout your marriage. Discuss if either of your parents will pay for portions of the wedding and how much the two of you together will pay. Write out all the expense categories from beginning to end (i.e. venues, planners, gifts, attire, flowers, rehearsal dinner, bridal lunches, venue, entertainment, food/drinks. reception, honeymoon, tips, etc) and discuss the max you are both willing to spend on each. Also, have a contingency budget for unexpected and last minute expenses that will come up. You must both make a commitment to stick to the budget, no matter what.
Guest List – The next important step in the planning process is the guest list. This will make or break your budget and determine what venue you select so you need to plan accordingly ahead of time. If you are having a destination wedding, consider who might not be able to travel due to health issues, finances, young children, etc. Consider if each guest will be invited to bring a guest as well, which will double your guest list and budget. Also, don’t forget to include your groomsman/bridesmaids and a guest for them as well, if applicable. Add a few extras to your total because there will be someone left out of the initial list.
Venue – Venues book up quickly as they are the first thing most couples book. Some venues book up 2-3 years in advance so as soon as you plan the timing and location and have your budget and guest list numbers, this needs to be your next priority. If you’re planning a beach wedding in Destin, then consider a close by venue for the reception. Also, if this is a destination wedding, consider near by accommodations for guests. Make sure the venue offers a rain plan as well. Also, consider venues for the rehearsal dinner, bridal lunches, etc.
Save the Date – As soon as the venue and location has been secured, send out a save-the-date to everyone on your guest list. If you’re planning a destination wedding in Destin, make sure to include accommodation options for guests and give them as much notice as possible to schedule their trip.
The SOLARIS has a full time team of wedding planners in Destin who would be happy to answer any questions you might have. Give them a call at 850.650.2519. While you’re at it, ask them how you can get up to $1,000 off a Destin Yacht Wedding on the SOLARIS!
Happy planning and congrats!
