We know that for some, diving into the uncharted waters of destination wedding planning can be, well… a little overwhelming. So today, we’re asking the experts in the U.S. Virgin Islands for a little help on all of the questions you WILL have, before you even get the chance to ask. From budget myths to excursion planning, we’re letting you in on all the little secrets, so you can celebrate in paradise. Scroll and relax.
Photography: Clary Pfeiffer
ONE: IT’S NOT AS EXPENSIVE AS YOU THINK
If you think saying “I do” in a beautiful tropical setting means busting your entire wedding budget, it’s simply not true. With a smaller guest list and a beautiful location that needs minimal decor, you’ll be spending less on virtually everything. You can even cut back on travel costs by picking a destination that is easy to access, like the U.S. Virgin Islands. You U.S. citizens won’t even need a passport.
TWO: YOU NEED TO KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT YOUR CHOSEN DESTINATION
And speaking of passports, knowing the who, what, where and why of your wedding destination before you travel will cut back on any undue stress or hiccups in the road when you arrive. From figuring out the logistics on marriage licenses to studying the weather patterns to figuring out transportation (ferry, boat, plane or car), you’ll want to be informed… and then some.
Photography: Elisha Orin
THREE: YOU CAN LET GUESTS PLAN THEIR OWN TRAVEL
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to take on the stress of planning your guests’ travel. But making sure they’re completely up-to-date with all of the most important info is totally key. We suggest assembling a thorough travel packet for your nearest and dearest, so they know all of the details, from airport info to accommodations to transportation. And be sure to keep your phone on when guests are arriving, so you can assist if need be.
FOUR: YOUR GUESTS WILL NEED AN ITINERARY
You don’t have to plan your guests’ travel, but putting together a list of activities for their stay in paradise is not only nice, it’s necessary. Think a fun-filled night out on the town, a welcome dinner at your hotel or a beach day with volleyball, snorkeling and rum punch. Just don’t feel like you have to plan their every last move – you can simply offer up a suggested list of activities or recs on restaurants, so they can explore on their own.
Photography: Elisha Orin
FIVE: YOU CAN STILL ROCK A BALL GOWN
Saying “I do” seaside doesn’t necessarily mean you have to rock flip flops and a casual dress for your Big Day. Quite the opposite, actually. Because the U.S. Virgin Islands is seriously made for luxurious weddings… and that means packing your biggest ball gown and those four-inch Louboutins, then saying goodbye to that laid-back toes-in-the-sand vibe. Because you’re going to do this princess-style.
SIX: YOU DON’T HAVE TO GO OVERBOARD WITH A BEACHY THEME
Whether you’ve spent your life dreaming of a seashell-filled celebration, or find yourself leaning towards something else entirely, tying the knot in a destination soiree doesn’t mean you’re stuck with the beachy theme. Nope, if you are a modern bride looking for a place to host your contemporary do, you can definitely make that happen, no matter your destination.
Photography: Elisha Orin
SEVEN: A TIGHTER GUEST LIST MEANS MORE TIME WITH THE ONES YOU LOVE
Narrowing down that guest list may be a hard task to tackle, but having fewer guests is a perfect way to spend some quality time with the ones you love. So if you feel anxious about the limited number of friends and family who will attend your Big Day: don’t. We guarantee you’ll absolutely adore spending a week with them in paradise.
EIGHT: YOU DON’T HAVE TO TRAVEL FAR
Think a destination wedding means sitting on a plane for eight hours, then traveling an extra two by car, all so you can make it to your dream resort by the sea? You honestly couldn’t be more wrong. With island locales like St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas just a hop, skip and a jump away, you’ll be relaxing seaside with a rum cocktail in no time at all.
Photography: Elisha Orin
NINE: HIRING A LOCAL PLANNER ISN’T AS HARD AS YOU THINK
You may be afraid to tackle a destination wedding, but you can most definitely ease those fears by hiring a talented team of wedding pros to make it all come together seamlessly. Because finding the right people means actually enjoying your own wedding, so please don’t worry about those long-distance calls or emails – you honestly don’t need face-to-face meetings to plan that dream day. We promise.
TEN: YOU CAN BRING YOUR A TEAM OF WEDDING PROS WITH YOU
Hiring a local planner is always, always a good idea, but if you’ve been admiring the work of a talented wedding pro for the past five years, don’t be afraid to reach out and ask about their destination services. And that especially goes for photogs, who are almost always willing to travel.
Planning a destination wedding shouldn’t be intimidating, especially if you know all the tricks of the trade before you dive in. Our tip? Check out the U.S. Virgin Islands — a little touch of tropical heaven with nonstop activities and historical destination sites for you and your guests. From St. Croix to St. John to St. Thomas , there’s most definitely an island right for you… And we guarantee it will be a week of pure awesomeness.
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