Everybody dreams of the perfect wedding in the most idyllic setting surrounded by family and friends. Most of us relate such weddings with stunning Caribbean beach locations where we can frolic totally carefree for a week or so after the ceremony. But since the Caribbean is a plane ride away from where most of us live, we require help getting our dream wedding ceremony to happen. That is where destination wedding packages come into the picture. Such packages, properly selected, will provide the local support needed to move wedding plans in the right direction. Caution must be exercised, however, because not all destination wedding packages are equal. Organizations like the Association of Canadian Travel Agencies can help in your search for a suitable wedding package.
Some wedding packages provide relatively more service for the money; some are better suited for those with budget constraints, while still others are meant for people for whom money is no object. In short, you can say that there is probably a destination wedding package for every set of requirements and constraints; all couples have to do is check and compare to find the one they need. There are features most couples want in wedding packages. Here are some of them:
-
First on the list is a stunning location: The location should not only be suitable for the ceremony itself but also for any post wedding party or honeymoon. Many couples look for destination wedding packages set on wide expanses of open beach, or even a private island getaway for the well heeled.
-
Expert local support is next: The best wedding packages include the services of people who take care of documentary and legal requirements. Couples usually want to arrive at the location ready for the wedding ceremony to take place within hours. That can only happen with proper assistance with government and sometimes even religious requirements.
-
Flexibility: Each couple will have a different idea of what constitutes a dream wedding. Thus wedding packages should be highly customizable. The most common types of customization required involve décor, number of guests, the food and beverages to be served at the wedding party, the venue and keepsakes. However, if the couple wants arches adorned with a particular flower, an underwater wedding, or some other exotic request, there should be ways to accommodate them.
-
Planning assistance: Most couples do not have the time to attend to all the details and would need expert assistance of professional wedding planners. These planners can help decide the many details of the wedding such venue, food & drinks, number of guests, schedules, accommodations, getting a person to officiate the ceremony, preparing a program, guest book, gift registry, photography and video coverage, etc.
-
Onsite facilities: Ideal wedding packages will be in resorts where facilities such as restaurants, pools, bars, and provision for indoor activities are available. This is for the comfort of guests as well as for the enjoyment of the couple before and after the wedding.
While these features are all desirable, they usually add to the package cost. The way we customize our dream wedding is usually tempered by the features and services we can afford.