Meaghan Cody of Sweet Pea Events.
In the current issue of D Weddings, we put together the “Ultimate Wedding Planning Guide.” But not without a little help from our friend Meaghan Cody of Sweet Pea Events. Meaghan has planned a plentiful amount of destination weddings and she spills her secrets. Next week Karley Kiker will tell you how to adjust your timeline for a quick engagement. Read on for the advice!
From Meaghan:
Room Block: The first two items on the timeline? Book a venue and set up a room block. This allows your guests to start making arrangements as soon as they’d like.
Invitations: Send your invitations out 12 to 14 weeks before the wedding instead of the traditional six to eight weeks. The reason is twofold: Your guests need ample time to respond and you need your final guest numbers at least a month before the wedding date.
Final Numbers: Finalize your numbers for vendors at least a month in advance. A destination wedding requires a bit more advance planning, and venues in more “relaxed” vacation spots may take more time to return your phone calls and emails.
Site Visits: If you’re a hands-on bride, be sure to work two visits into your timeline. The first is typically after you get engaged to choose your venue, and the second shortly thereafter to select vendors. Hiring a wedding planner familiar with your destination can cut out a visit.
Wedding Favors and Welcome Bags: If you’re planning on including favors and welcome bags, keep in mind that foreign countries won’t let you pack a bag of food and edible goods to bring into the country. So make sure you have enough time onsite the week of the wedding to take care of these special details.
The post Ask the Expert: Helpful Tips for a Destination Wedding appeared first on D Weddings.