How to Plan a Wedding Far From Home

Frommers.com Podcast:
How to Plan a Wedding Far From Home

By The Frommer's Staff
January 25, 2008

Destination weddings are a growing travel trend, and there's a lot to consider if you decide to join the bandwagon. Editor-in-chief of Modern Bride Magazine, Antonia van der Meer, joins host Kelly Regan to provide helpful tips on etiquette and planning, and address some logistic challenges you -- and your guests -- might face. Van der Meer and Regan also reveal some destinations that can be less expensive than a wedding at home, talk about honeymoon registries, and list some hot spots for a spur-of-the-moment wedding (other than Vegas).

To listen this episode, click the "play" button on the MP3 player below.


Top Tips from This Podcast

• Destination Weddings Currently 16% of couples are getting married places that neither the bride or groom are originally from, or currently live.
• Advanced Notice: Give your guests at least three to six months notice so they can make their travel arrangements.
• Preliminary Visits: If you can afford it, take a trip to your destination ahead of time to see the destination and do a menu tasting.
• Budget Destinations: Try Costa Rica, Belize, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and the US Virgin Islands.
• Wedding Packages: All-inclusives such as Sandals, Dreams, Paradisis chain, and Occidental chain have pre-set price levels.
• Spur-of-the-Moment: Aside from Las Vegas, Gatlinburg, Tennessee is on the top of the list for number of weddings per year.
• Honeymoon Registry: Similar concept to a traditional registry, but rather than buying items, guests buy experiences for the couple.
• Where to Go (Honeymoon): Make sure you choose a destination that fits the personality and interests of both people.
• Top Destinations (Honeymoon): Hawaii, Disneyworld, Italy, Tahiti, Fiji, Mexico, Anguilla, St. Lucia, South Africa, Thailand.