Especially when you’re marrying someplace remote like Royal Belize, think carefully about how many vendors you really need to fly in; you don’t want transportation costs to sabotage your budget.
Our good friend and confirmed wedding genius Claudia Hanlin, of New York’s The Wedding Library, has planned enough destination weddings to know that not every “must have” item really is a must. Here, she shares her thoughts on five hefty expenses that you can kiss goodbye. All of a sudden, your wedding budget is looking mighty fine.
1. Shipping. “Use the Internet to source the fun details that you might be tempted to pack up and send via (very expensive) mail. For a recent Mexico wedding we sourced flip-flops and other cute party items at a local big box store—it was much less expensive and just as great.”
2. Local printing services. “Try to plan out all the signage and paper products you need before you leave for your destination and bring them with you. It will save money and valuable time. Think it through carefully: Do you need guest book signage, bathroom directions, transportation information, printouts of ceremony readings, etc.?”
3. Multiple site visits. “We are very economical about our pre-event trips to a destination and pack in as many appointments and strategic tasks as possible before we go. Plan ahead by making appointments, doing Internet research, and confirming availability, pricing, and sourcing of items before you arrive. Skype or ask your vendors to send photos of food, table top items, flowers, and more.”
4. In-room gifts that don’t pack. “Give guests disposal (paper) bags, or cloth (packable) gift bags with items they will probably use at the destination. Decorative boxes don’t fit in guests’ luggage and will probably be left behind. Even a thoughtful bottle of local wine or liquor might end up wasted if it can’t be packed in your guests’ luggage.”
5. Flying in vendors unnecessarily. “We often bring our own floral designer, bands, caterer, photographer, and hair and makeup stylists to our destination weddings—but not before carefully interviewing the local vendors to see if they meet our criteria. If you must fly in staff, we often ask them to source assistants (2nd photographers, stylist assistants, floral crew) at the destination in order to save you money. Often, the local talent has access to materials, products, and other helpers who bring with them the many benefits of being on ‘home turf.'”
The Wedding Library’s Claudia Hanlin, installing a chandelier on location
