weddings 101

More and more couples are choosing destination weddings. Rebecca Grinnals, founder and president of Engaging Concepts, a leading wedding industry consulting firm, shares her secrets to nuptials near and far.

DO start by establishing your couple style. Are you outdoorsy or urban; traditional or trendy; hippie or haute couture? This should dictate everything from your choice of location and venue to your menu.

DO make a list of words or phrases that describe the feelings you want your wedding to evoke–perhaps relaxed, great wine and eclectic music. Don’t get weighed down by the many, many choices out there: Refer back to the list when you feel overwhelmed with options.

DO choose a location and venue that has personal meaning for you and your mate. And dream big: The sky is literally the limit, from rustic barns to mountain-climbing weddings! Looking for a trendy place? The latest hot spots for destination weddings include: Italy, the Caribbean, the Cayman Islands, Las Vegas, Palm Springs, Napa, Florida and mountainous regions around the globe.

DON’T do it yourself. Enlist the services of location-based wedding planners. They have the local knowledge and connections to plan and execute your faraway fete.

DON’T get caught with your legal pants down! Get up to speed with the marriage license requirements if you’re getting hitched abroad. Look into this at least 6 months before your wedding to ensure you satisfy all legal parameters.

DON’T forget to consider guests’ budgets. Research and suggest a range of accommodations. Condos or villas are great options for groups of friends and families.

Zola Registry Picks for Travel Lovers
Pack your precious wedding wardrobe and accessories in a new set of luggage from Zola. With clean, modern lines and essential qualities seasoned travelers insist upon, Briggs and Riley Transcend Collection in black or red ensures you will arrive carefree and in style. The Samsonite Winfield 2 is an extremely lightweight and durable spinner collection with sharp, molded details available in charcoal (picture here), orange and purple. Engineered to be lightweight without sacrificing durability, the Vitorinox Spectra Collection features stylish, scratch-resistant matte finish cases in red, black and white with protective corner guards. The Hartmann Herringbone Luxe Collection is the elegant intersection of classic design with modern, lightweight construction. Distinctive and durable jacquard is accented with textured trim and a signature leather handle. Create your Zola wedding registry, then add the luggage collection that reflects your couple style.

Featured Partner
Zola Wedding Registry is a one-stop solution for the modern couple, and your guests will love it too! Gifts, experiences, cash funds, and anything from any store: it all fits on your Zola Registry. Sign up now to discover the smarter wedding registry.

Visit our 2life Wedding app galleries for more destination wedding ideas!