Destination weddings have the feel of a romantic getaway, a great party, and are always set at a great scene. What you don’t always see, however, is the practical – and often messy – planning that must go into throwing your dream wedding. When you want to combine your wedding with a vacation, there’s even more moving parts than the traditional wedding venues, and you must stay organized, get prepared, and plan for unknowns. We’ve got some tips that make your wedding – in Hilton Head or elsewhere – the destination vacation of your dreams.
Plan Ahead – Far Ahead
It might sound like a no brainer, but we mean way ahead. Although sometimes there’s a suggestion of a year in advance, you might want to consider a two-year engagement if you want to get married around family and friends in a place far away from your home. If you’re looking to cut costs, off-seasons are a great time to have a wedding. Make sure you pick a destination that works for you, but also your guests. If you want your whole family there, do some reconnaissance work and ask folks what places they suggest, or would visit. Hilton Head, of course, is a great destination for a wedding – and one most families can agree on.
Visit Your Venue Ahead of Time
If at all possible, it’s best to see your wedding venue before your big day. If you’re getting married here, splurge on a Hilton Head limo to pick you up from the airport and whisk you to the place you’ve picked for your big day. No matter where in the world you go, it’s always preferable to see the place before you book it.
Get the Facts (And the Fine Print) From Your Vendors
Once you’ve chosen your destination, you will naturally start booking vendors. You’ll need to be extremely hawkish here – as you will be an out-of-town advocate and planner for your big day. Know the ins and outs of every contract you sign, and make sure to painstakingly go over contingency plans with each one of your chosen companies.
Get Online
Everyone has a wedding website these days, but yours should be a resource clearinghouse of information, activities, and links to help guide your guests until your big day. If you want people to come, and to spend their own money doing it, you’ll need to build a website that makes it easy for them to make decisions, understand the event, and hopefully save some money. You’ll want to link to your hotel, airport, and if you’re getting married here, to a Hilton Head limo and care service like Silver Oak Transportation. A list of activities and schedule are also necessary for your wedding on the web!
Hire A Local (Or Two)
Last but not least, it’s important to find a local person (or two) to help with logistics during your big event. You’ll likely need a wedding coordinator for the big day, but sometimes you’ll also want to hire local handymen or laborious help to construct things like arches and help set up and break down. The wedding coordinator you hire should be able to hook you up with the best workers in town!
If you’re getting married in Hilton Head or Savannah, limo and car services should be the least of your worries. With Silver Oak Transportation, we can create a plan for you to transport yourself, your guests, and to leave your wedding in style. Call us today for a consultation. Congratulations on your wedding!