Wedding Tactics

Dear Stacy, My fiancée and I have decided on a destination wedding in Florida, where his family lives. We like the area because it just so relaxing and beautiful. We live in Washington, DC. How and where do I start my planning? I have gone to some recent local Bridal Expos with other girlfriends, but most of those vendors only offer local services. Help!

Ah, the destination wedding.

I am having one myself so have no fear my darling, it totally can be done.

Now, sit back and consider what you want. Do you want a church or synagogue wedding with a country club reception? Do you want it all in a hotel ball room, on the beach? Have an idea of what you want and a definite budget range before you begin. It is so easy to be talked into more and more grandiose ideas by vendors and family members you really need to be able to say, “No, I’m sorry, that isn’t in our budget, what can we do with those same colors in a smaller arrangement?”

First, start with the trusty ole Internet. Do a Google search for your city or state. For example:
1. Sarasota Weddings
2. Destination Wedding Planning Guide
3. Destination Wedding Jamaica

You get the idea?

You will find some vendors that way, and often times, a popular wedding locale will have its own wedding website. Be careful, a listing on a website does not a good vendor make. If you have family in the area, get them talking! Have them talk to coworkers, neighbors and friends about vendors they have used for weddings and other affairs. Get recommendations. Check references.

It is best to plan at least two trips to the destination prior to the wedding. It is suggested that you book vendors about six to nine months out. However, if you having a wedding in four months, you can still get vendors! Maybe not your top choice, but you can still totally find people; it will just take more leg work.

Make phone calls! Call vendors and talk to them, find out if they have your date available first. You will soon learn that some vendors take the extra minute and go the extra mile because some will bash other vendor styles while some will tell you everything you want to know before you ask.

I spoke with one photographer who told me that digital photography is horrible and he only shoots film and he takes about 300 shots at a typical wedding. Well? My photographers (who are awesome!!!) AJ Mills Photography shoot digital and are able to give me 1200 shots from the day. Hum … I wonder what I’m going with. Be cautious and make time to just absorb all the information they give you.

Plan you trip. Arrange a long weekend to your destination area and make appointments back to back, but leave about 3 hours in between each appointment. You’ll soon see that you can really only do about 4 in one day, so you will need a few days. Decide on your vendors and give them deposits to hold the date. A lot of the following decisions can be made from home and discussed over the phone and email. You have nine months to choose which photography package you want. Don’t stress. About two months prior to the wedding you want to have it all settled. (Which, by the way, is what I am doing this weekend, in an hour I’m meeting my florist to pick ALL the florals)

To maximize your time in vendor meetings, print pictures, have ideas and learn about the options before you get to the meeting, this will allow for time to talk and negotiate price not just get the basic information.

Vendors in destination areas are used to out of town brides. Get familiar with them, be friendly and choose vendors you KNOW that YOU can work with. Be picky. This is YOUR wedding. You have a right to have what you want and be within YOUR budget.

Good Luck!