Super excited to bring you another fantastic and super informative article by our guest, Shuhrat of Life and Light Photography! She is bringing all of the most important tips for you to plan the best destination wedding with ease! Hope you enjoy and share with friends!

HOW TO PLAN FOR THE BEST DESTINATION WEDDING

Planning a destination wedding can be an exciting and romantic way to start your journey together as a couple. However, it also requires a lot of coordination and attention to detail to ensure that everything goes smoothly. In this blog, we'll guide you through the steps you need to take to plan a successful and unforgettable destination wedding.

Step 1: Choose the Perfect Destination

The first step in planning a destination wedding is to choose the perfect location. Consider the climate, the availability of venues, the travel time, and the local laws and regulations. You should also think about the type of wedding you want to have and what kind of scenery and activities would best complement your vision.

Choosing the perfect destination for a destination wedding can be a fun and exciting process, but it can also be overwhelming with so many options available. Here are some key factors to consider when choosing the perfect destination for your wedding:

Climate: The weather can make or break your wedding day, so it's important to choose a destination that has a climate that suits your preferences. For example, if you want to get married in the summer, consider a destination with a cooler climate to avoid excessive heat.

Make sure to check the local weather seasons, for example in Puerto Vallarta rainy season starts in June and goes until about the end of August. This can be a factor in deciding the time of year in which you’ll get married. Of course, better weather means you’ll have to book your date ahead of time as it tends to get booked out.

Accessibility: Choose a destination that is easily accessible for you and your guests. Consider the availability of direct flights, transportation options, and the distance to the airport from the wedding venue.

Legal Requirements: Every destination has its own set of legal requirements for getting married, so make sure to research and understand the process for obtaining a marriage license and any other legal requirements.

Venue options: Consider the type of wedding venue that you want, whether it's a beach, a vineyard, a garden, or a mountain resort. Choose a destination that offers plenty of options for the kind of venue that you want

Local Culture: If you want to add a unique cultural element to your wedding, choose a destination that offers a rich cultural experience. This could include incorporating local cuisine, music, and traditions into your wedding celebrations.

Budget: The cost of a destination wedding can vary greatly depending on the location, so it's important to choose a destination that fits within your budget. Keep in mind that the cost of travel and accommodations for you and your guests will be a significant factor in the total cost.

Guest accommodations: Consider the availability of accommodations for your guests, including hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals. It's important to choose a destination that offers a variety of options to suit different budgets and preferences.

Step 2: Determine Your Budget

Once you have chosen the location, you need to determine your budget. This will help you to decide on the size of your wedding, the venue, and other wedding essentials like catering, photography, and music. It's important to be realistic about your budget and to factor in any unexpected expenses that may arise.

Step 3: Hire a Wedding Planner

Hiring a wedding planner who specializes in destination weddings is highly recommended. A wedding planner will be able to handle all the details for you, from finding the right venue and vendors to coordinating travel arrangements for your guests. They will also help you to stay within your budget and will provide you with peace of mind throughout the planning process.

Step 4: Choose Your Wedding Date

Choosing the right date for your wedding is essential, as it will affect the availability of venues and vendors, as well as the cost of travel and accommodations for your guests. You should also consider the climate and weather patterns of your destination when selecting your wedding date.

Step 5: Book Your Venue and Vendors

After you have chosen your destination and wedding date, you should start booking your venue and vendors. You should do this as early as possible to ensure that you get the locations and services you want. Your wedding planner can help you to find the best vendors in the area, including catering, photography, music, and more.

Planning a destination wedding can be a unique challenge, especially when it comes to finding vendors in an unfamiliar location. Here are some tips to help you find the right vendors for your destination wedding:

Ask Your Wedding Planner: Your wedding planner can be an invaluable resource when it comes to finding vendors for your destination wedding. They will have local connections and can recommend trusted vendors that they have worked with in the past.

Search Online: The internet is a great tool for researching vendors in a specific destination. Look for wedding vendor directories, social media pages, and wedding blogs that feature vendors in the location of your wedding.

Check Reviews: Once you have found potential vendors, make sure to check their reviews from past clients. Websites like Yelp, WeddingWire, and The Knot offer reviews and ratings of vendors from real brides and grooms.

Attend Local Bridal Shows: Attending a local bridal show in your destination can be a great way to meet vendors in person and get a feel for their style and services.

Ask For Referrals: If you have friends or family who have gotten married in the same location, ask them for vendor recommendations. They may be able to provide insight and tips based on their own experience.

Visit the Destination: If possible, visit the destination ahead of time to meet with vendors in person and see their work first-hand. This can help you to feel more confident in your choices and ensure that your wedding day runs smoothly.

Ask Your Venue: The wedding venue may have a list of preferred vendors that they work with regularly. This can be a great starting point for finding vendors that are familiar with the venue and can provide excellent service.

Step 6: Send Out Invitations and Manage Travel Arrangements

Once your venue and vendors are secured, it's time to send out invitations and manage travel arrangements for your guests.

You should provide them with detailed information about travel, accommodations, and the wedding schedule. You should also consider organizing activities and events for your guests to enjoy during their stay.

Step 7: Finalize the Details

As the wedding date approaches, it's important to finalize all the details with your wedding planner, vendors, and venue. You should do a final walkthrough of the venue and make sure that all the details are in place, including decorations, seating arrangements, and any other last-minute changes.

Step 8: Enjoy Your Wedding

Finally, it's time to enjoy your wedding day! Take a deep breath and enjoy the moment. With all the planning and preparation, your big day will be a memorable and joyous occasion that you will cherish for years to come.

Planning a destination wedding can be a wonderful way to start your new life together. By following these steps and working with an experienced wedding planner, you can create a magical and unforgettable experience that you and your guests will cherish forever.

Let us know if you liked these tips! As always, share with a friend who’s thinking of having a destination wedding!

Hey friends! I’ve got a great guest post for you today with amazing creative ideas of how to incorporate wall art into your wedding decor from ELEPHANT STOCK. Use these ideas for your ceremony site, cocktail areas, and reception decor! Let me know what you think in the comments and as always - share with other couples getting married so they too can incorporate these ideas into their wedding decor and theme!

I am not receiving any payment for the article nor am I affiliated with the company. They reached out to me offering to write a guest post that I believe is helpful and aligns with you, my audience! Thank you for reading and I hope to bring you more articles like this in the future. :).

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Are you planning a wedding and are you wondering how to decorate the walls at your wedding venue? If you answered yes, then creating a wall art decor is perfect for your wedding. A new unique trend making its way into all weddings, both micro and large.

Your wedding is unique to you and a special day, so every decoration should be according to your mood, style, and wishes. Wall art is a great way to display and express your feelings and sentiments towards your family on this special day.

When people enter your wedding, food and music are not the only things to set the tone of your wedding Venue ambiance plays a vital role in creating the perfect wedding mood on your day. Creating a custom wedding day wall art piece can really help you express your feelings and set the tone of your wedding all to match your current wedding scheme.

Here are some wall art ideas for weddings that you can try in 2021:

Family Photos Collage

A creative display of family photos is a beautiful way to personalize your wedding day. It is an affordable and exciting way to enhance your wedding venue decor.

You can tailor the family photos display depending on which memories you wish to share with guests. There are many family photo wall ideas that you can use on your wedding day. It is a great way to relive memories and wow your guests with this unique decoration style. 

Whether you choose to display your childhood photos or select pictures of yourselves, guests will love to see photographs displayed throughout your venue and wedding day.

You can also create a collage of your photographs to create an interesting wedding focal piece.

Floral Wall Art  

Source: ElephantStock 

If you have a special place in your heart for flowers, you can decorate your wedding with creative and beautiful flower wall art. Using natural flowers can also create a unique floral art piece if you like real flowers.

Floral wall paintings can also add a unique charm to your wedding day without actually using natural flowers. 

You can cover the big wall with floral canvas prints to make your stage look royal and attractive as well. Whether you choose between a more creative and out-of-the-box idea or keep it simple and minimal, both of which will showcase your own wedding personality and style!

Wall decoration with flowers is ideal for outdoor day-time weddings. It’s also a great way to incorporate more eco-friendly decor into the details of your day. 

Frame your Shades of love

If you want to tell your relationship story, you can add photo frames with photos displaying your pre-wedding shoot. In that, you can tell your relationship story in a cute and quirky way to guests.

You can add different photos of how you met, fell in love, and got engaged. Add a legacy element by displaying wedding photos of your parents’ and grandparents’ wedding on the wall too. It is a unique and affordable way to decorate the venue walls.

Wall Decoration with Lights

Lights create a romantic ambiance for wedding decorations. It gives a gorgeous look to the walls and wedding venue, especially at night, creating a muted and intimate feeling to your wedding.

You can use lights on the wedding stage to create a welcoming wedding venue. Consider hanging wall arts with good lights to create a unique and interesting wedding decor. 

Lighting also can be used alongside the walls of the bar or catering section. The colorful lights will create a memorable as well as intimate atmosphere on your wedding day. 

Gallery Wall

A gallery wall or set up is a beautiful way to infuse color and pattern into a wedding area. It is a simple yet creative way to spice up your space. With a wedding-themed gallery wall, you can display amazing elements of your love. 

You can display a collection of you and your family photographs on the gallery wall. It is an impressive way for wedding decoration to turn a wall into a stylish as well as a noticeable focal point. 

You can use pics of different sizes and shapes that can demonstrate your unique ideas. For example, you can include a framed print of your pre-wedding shoots, a canvas print of your engagement, or any other memory. 

Match art to your wedding style with a wall painting or hand-lettered sign

You can paint walls to decorate the wedding venue with a variety of art. Paintings related to music, celebration, love, and marriage quotes complement most wedding venue walls.

Wall paintings also depend on the style of your wedding. For example, if you are going with a more romantic style to your wedding decor consider using calligraphy in the painting or a beautifully hand-lettered sign.

Whichever vibe and feel you’re going for, be it romantic, vintage, or more modern, choose a wall painting that compliments your style perfectly.

Use the wall paintings as a background for the cake, for example, or behind the sweetheart table.

Green Wall Decor 

Source: ElephantStock

If you are looking for a unique wedding decoration idea, consider the green walls for wedding venue decoration. You can cover the wall with all green plants or can hang botanical wall arts as well. This will bring a different charm and freshness to the wedding decor. 

Further, the green wall also serves the purpose of a perfect photo backdrop. It is a unique way for eco-friendly wedding decoration. 

No matter whether your wedding venue is indoor or outdoor, greenery looks great in every space. The best part is that this type of decoration is not too expensive. 

Your wedding is yours to create

Your wedding is very special for you as well as your family. So, wedding decorations should also be unique and special. Wall art for wedding decor is all about personalizing your wedding with something unique that will wow your guests.

Will you try any of the ideas above? Let us know in the comments!

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Thanks for taking the time to read our guest post by Elephant Stock and be sure to check out their art on their site.

Hi friends!

Today we have a special treat for you that I think you’ll find it super useful!

Photo hanging hacks that won’t ruin your walls and can even save you time and money! Brought to you by Quill as a collaboration because we want your photos displayed beautifully and conveniently as well!

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Hang photos and art beautifully and easily!

A lovely new painting, print, or photograph can be a great way to dress up a blank spot on a wall or change up the look of a room. But too often than not, hanging a frame becomes an exercise in damaging a wall.

Luckily, there are steps you can take to make sure that your wall stays pristine and your new frame hangs without worry.

For starters, you have to ensure that your frame has secure support in order to actually hang from the wall. Some frames do come with hangers that are appropriate for their size and weight. Others do not, and if that’s the case you’ll have to adjust your approach.

Old-fashioned soda can tops can be a great stand-in for holes or hangers that are absent.

Want more steps to follow to ensure a beautiful hanging job and a beautiful framed piece of art to look at? Take a peek at this graphic.

Hanging hacks that won’t ruin your wallsInfographic by Quill

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Make sure you pin this and save for when you need it! Never thought of using toothpaste to mark the spot seems so easy!

Which hack are you gonna try?

Read more articles like this on Quill.com

Hi Friends! Today I have the pleasure of having James Barnes, a wedding planner expert, give us a few tips on planning your dream wedding at a beach location, like Puerto Vallarta. Read on to learn his helpful tips and make sure you share with a bride who is planning her beach dream wedding!

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Many women dream about having their dream weddings on a beach, however, this also means that beach weddings are not like regular weddings. As such, brides who want to get married on the beach should think about some specific details when planning their beach wedding.

From my experience as a wedding planner, I can say that these weddings, and details, require timely planning and arrangement so that way, brides and grooms can avoid potential stress and mess. 

So, here’s what I suggest to my clients who want to get married on a beach. 

 Set the dress code

When it comes to traditional weddings, people already know what to wear. They either wear smart or semi-formal clothes. It’s known that no one comes to a traditional wedding reception dressed in shorts. 

However, a beach wedding could cause some confusion for many guests. Some people might still think that they should wear a tuxedo or high heels and others might dress too informally and wear bikinis at your wedding reception. 

To settle any confusion, I recommend that you set a certain dress code so that you can inform your guests on what to wear and what is appropriate attire for your specific wedding. You can include these helpful  instructions in the invitation card, as well. It helps guests know how to arrive dressed properly for your wedding ceremony, cocktail, and reception.

 Plan the cocktail hour

I have seen many different warm-up arrangements before the wedding ceremony as a wedding planner. Some couples don’t like to let their guests wait for too long. So, they don’t leave too much time for the cocktail hour. While others want their invitees to mingle and spend some time together before the ceremony. 

I believe that your decision should take into account on the type of guests, location, and overall feel and look of your wedding.. However, I would always encourage my clients to plan a cocktail hour for a beach wedding to set the mood and allow guests to enjoy the sites and sounds of the beach you have chosen.

You can arrange so many beautiful fish hor d’oeuvre and drinks for such an occasion. Don’t forget the cocktails, of course!

When your guests get into the right mood for the wedding, the wedding reception can begin. 

 Find the place for valuables

Organizing an outdoor wedding ceremony always raises some safety issues. The brides and grooms for whom I have planned beach weddings have expressed concerns over valuables. 

I have found that finding a secure place for valuables like purses, cameras, and other items guests have on hand with the venue manager. They can suggest or even have a special place for such things so nothing gets left or goes missing.

For instance, if you’re going to have the ceremony at a beach bar, you can install a safe inside the bar. This is where you can keep the rings before the wedding. Also, your guests can leave some of their personal belongings there. 

Even then, you should find a trustworthy person who can stand by the safe during the ceremony. Hiring a professional security officer is another practical way to keep the eye on the valuables. 

And if you’re organizing your beach wedding where you don’t know anyone, avoid leaving valuables in plain sight.

Ensure accommodation for the guests

Since most of us don’t live on the beach, organizing a beach wedding usually includes some travel. What’s more, it also includes providing proper accommodation for your guests. 

Having guests stay at the same place where the wedding is being held can be really convenient.

If possible, find a venue that also has rooms and suites for your invitees. That way, you’ll kill two birds with one stone (or a pebble from the beach). 

On the one hand, it’s convenient since all of the wedding activities will happen in the same place. I also know, in my experience, that many couples don’t like guests having to drive after the festivities or having to find transport to another location. This way, you and your guests are in the same location for the duration of your wedding.

On the other, you might be able to negotiate lower prices for the venue and the accommodation. Many managers of venues are ready to modify their offers if you opt for the whole package. 

Arrange the post-wedding period 

Brides and grooms sometimes forget to plan the initial period after the wedding. This is an important thing to do because it takes some planning to cover all the bases here, as well. 

For starters, set your honeymoon budget. Many couples use money from gifts for their honeymoons. My philosophy is somewhat different. I think that you should travel with the money that you already have so you’re not betting on a budget that you might not reach. The money from the wedding can then be used when you get back from your honeymoon.

Moreover, choose one or more places that you’d like to visit. Think about spending a few days with your best man and your maid of honor or even a group of friends. For instance, the Annex events complex has all sorts of wedding and post-wedding deals for their guests. 

After that, you can continue your honeymoon and your journey alone, as a newly wedded couple. 

If possible, buy all the tickets in advance. Also, I think that you should be straightforward with your guests on this travel. So, let them know what expenses you’re going to cover and what they’ll pay alone. 

Conclusion 

When I talk to my clients about a beach wedding, they see that it looks different in practice than on TV.  Since it includes several more features than a traditional wedding, it requires different planning, as well. 

What’s important is to inform all the guests in advance about the type of celebration, costs, accommodations, and general planning that guests will have to either pay for or arrange on their own.

Finally, you should decide before the wedding how and when you’ll travel after the ceremony. All these things will ensure that you organize your beach wedding in a relaxed and breezy way. 

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Gust post author James Barnes is an experienced wedding organizer and blogger at theannexevents.com. He specialized in organizing outdoor wedding events. When he isn’t writing about weddings and marital life, David usually goes swimming or playing squash.

If you’re looking to be a guest post author, please email me at hello@jackielamas.com

Guest Post Series

WENDY RUELAS at DOCA EVENTOS

Hi Everyone!  I am so excited to announce a whole new series here on the blog.  I had thought of doing something like this before but just didn't know how to go about it and now, I've asked some of my favorite wedding planners/coordinators to participate in this Guest Post Series! They'll talk about what they do, what their favorite moments of weddings are, and what advice and tips they can offer you so that your wedding day runs smoothly!

It's a Q&A and I would love nothing more than for the conversation to keep going! If you have any additional questions for our Guest, please comment below the post!

Our first Guest Post is from Wendy Ruelas with Doca Eventos.  Wendy and I met through weddings however, we've become friends.  I love to work with her as she creates great events with an eye for detail and of course, is just super sweet.  

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Tell us a little about yourself:

I'm a destination wedding planner based in Puerto Vallarta.  I am a very creative person and love my job!  I love to play and work with textures, colors, fabrics, and love.

How did you get started in destination weddings?

I started at a local hotel coordinating weddings for their guests.  I worked for them for 3 years and have now moved onto coordinating events through Doca Eventos.

Where are you located?

We are located in Puerto Vallarta

What advice can you give to a bride planning their destination wedding?

Don't choose a day during rainy season (which is June - August).

What are your top 3 destinations for weddings?

Puerto Vallarta
Sayulita
Punta mita

Tell us one of your best memories from a wedding (could be funny or a tearjerker moment)

It was a couple from Vegas and the speeches were the most memorable because all of the guests said incredible words for the couple.  It was an intimate wedding, everyone was crying and enjoyed the time together.  A very emotional wedding.

In your opinion, why should brides have a destination wedding?

I believe  having a destination wedding is a special time spent with all of your guests and you can have an intimate wedding as well as enjoy what Puerto Vallarta has to offer.

What do you love most about destination weddings?

Creating the wedding day mood - which makes it so interesting and fun!

Where can we find you?

www.docaeventos.com
wen.ruelas@docaeventos.com
+52 (322) 134 31 67
FB- Doca Eventos
Instagram- Doca Eventos
Twitter- Doca Eventos

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There you have it guys!

Do you want to know more about what Wendy does? Comment your questions below!

Would or have you had a destination wedding, what advice would you like to have or can offer? We want to know! Comment down below :) 

Guest Post Series

with BEAUTIFUL VALLARTA WEDDINGS

Hi Everyone!  I am so excited to announce a whole new series here on the blog.  I had thought of doing something like this before but just didn't know how to go about it and now, I've asked some of my favorite wedding planners/coordinators to participate in this Guest Post Series! They'll talk about what they do, what their favorite moments of weddings are, and what advice and tips they can offer you so that your wedding day runs smoothly!

It's a Q&A and I would love nothing more than for the conversation to keep going! If you have any additional questions for our Guest, please comment below the post!

Our first Guest Post is from Jennifer at Beautiful Vallarta Weddings and is a dream to work with! Every detail perfect!

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Tell us a little about yourself:

My name is Jennifer Lawrence and I am the owner of Beautiful Vallarta Weddings (wedding planning service) and our sister company Casa Bay Villas which represents luxury villa vacation rentals in Puerto Vallarta Mexico. Throughout the years Beautiful Vallarta Weddings has hosted so many destination weddings in the villas we represent. Casa Bay Villas is one of the top luxury villa vacation rental agents in Puerto Vallarta. Each wedding venue is a unique, elegant creation designed just for you. I will successfully oversee your destination wedding with our impeccable Five-Star Platinum Service and our exceptional wedding planning team in Puerto Vallarta. Beautiful Vallarta Weddings works with only the BEST VENDORS - those that are reliable and deliver what they promise. While the costs are not always the lowest, they have been tested by us and they deliver quality products and services. Our team at Beautiful Vallarta Weddings is outstanding and we take pride in the services we perform.

How did you get started in destination weddings?

We had some many brides reserving our villas to host their destination wedding that we felt this would be the perfect marriage made in heaven for both companies.

Where are you located?

Stratford, CT and Puerto Vallarta

What do you love most about destination weddings?

Everything! From the beginning planning stages to your Special Day.

Tell us one of your best memories from a wedding (could be funny or a tearjerker moment)

This is a hard questions because every wedding is SPECIAL and each wedding has memories that will last a lifetime.

What advice can you give to a bride planning their destination wedding?

Trust your wedding planning.

What are your top 3 destinations for weddings?

Puerto Vallarta in one of our luxury villa rentals overlooking Banderas Bay

In your opinion, why should brides have a destination wedding?

Hosting a destination wedding in a luxury villa rentals is probably one of the most spectacular settings you could ever imagine. It's like living the life of the rich and famous for you and your guests!

Where can we find you?

Our website http://beautifulvallartaweddings.com/ Our phone # 203.386.8022 or email at info@beautifulvallartawedidngs.com You can also find us on Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter.

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There you have it guys! Do you have any questions for Jennifer? Write to us below in the comments!