destination wedding planner

Guide to Hiring a Destination Wedding Planner

Intrigue offers full-service destination wedding planning and design! Read and learn more about our years of destination wedding planning experience. Additionally, our complete guide to the befits of utilizing a destination wedding planner!

There is something special about getting married in the destination where your partner proposed. Whether against a backdrop of mountains or in the sand on a tropical getaway, the magic is there. As gorgeous as these locations are, do not forget the legwork that goes into planning a destination wedding. After all, there is more to take into account than the venue and location itself. Timing of your ceremony, the weather, and guest availability to travel are all concerns when destination wedding planning. But with a little help, you can plan memorable nuptials for you, your spouse, and your guests. Follow these tips to help you find the perfect destination wedding planner and pull off a destination wedding to remember.

It may come as no surprise that destination weddings require more coordination than staying close to home. Besides, paying attention to detail is crucial. Not only are you planning an event from a distance, but you are likely hosting multiple events over the course of the wedding weekend. Instead, there is the potential of developing weekend itineraries, not just your wedding ceremony and reception. The good news is, destination wedding planners like Intrigue can help you with just that.

Intrigue Design and Events Destination Wedding Planner Destination Wedding Planning imageIn addition to the comfort of knowing your wedding is in capable hands, destination wedding planners are here to ensure you have your dream wedding!

Set Your Mind at Ease 

Destination wedding planners ease your stress by answering difficult questions and providing solutions.  Regardless, we layout facts, and offer an unbiased, professional opinion. Planners are an invaluable asset when making hard decisions like rain contingency plans, postponing, or handling unwarranted surprises.

Expertise Where it Counts

Top destination wedding planners like Intrigue Design and Event, have years of experience, connections, and relationships. We handle every problem that arises with grace.

Locals Welcome

Select a planner who is familiar with your destination or has excellent resources there. Experience-based insight is not always available, by simply searching online. In addition to knowing the best vendors to work with and suggesting the months for optimal weather, we recommend hidden gem locations to visit and eat.

Intrigue Design and Events Why Destination Planners are Valuable

In addition to traditional wedding planning duties, here is a list of common tasks we are responsible for:

 
  • Provide guidance based on knowledge and local research on laws, permits needed, marriage license requirements, etc.
  • Offer you select vendors and a venue best suited to your guest count, budget, and vision.
  • Help produce a realistic budget based on your needs and desires.
  • Offer travel guidance and advice to help you and your guests plan the trip with confidence.
  • Create contingency plans for rain and other unforeseen road bumps.
  • Coordinate with vendors and the venue, timeline management, and family management.
  • Manage RSVPs and guestlists.
  • Catering negotiation, communication, and management.

If you are not sure where to begin your search, here are helpful tips our team recommends!

 

Venue Insight

If you have your eye on a specific venue in your desired destination, ask them who their favorite destination wedding planners are. Ask questions pertaining to customer service, vendor management, organization, and professionalism.

 

Slide Into Their DMs

We know you save wedding inspiration pictures and now is the time to use them! Look to find the original designer, their location, and if they specialize in destination wedding planning.  Search hashtags, locations, and vendors located in your desired destination. Searching for wedding photographers on social media for your destination is a great resource to find like-minded planners.

 

True Testimonials

Read true testimonials from couples on platforms such as The KnotWedding Wire, or Google,  After reading, you will feel confident you can connect with your destination wedding planner and start to build trust.

 

Time For a Chat

Have an open conversation with your planner about your wedding day vision. Be completely transparent about expectations, and budget goals. You want a planner and team who mediate and solve problems on-the-spot. Additionally, those that make your aesthetic dreams come true. Ask about executed weddings and events. In fact, ask about when things went wrong and how a solution was reached.  Also, inquire about memorable wedding moments to get a feel for why we love what we do.

Anticipate Incurring Expenses

This includes transportation and lodging. If not station at the location, your destination planner will fly in a few days before to meet with your venue and vendors in advance. In some instances, location scouting may be necessary for the initial destination wedding planning process. Ask your planner to review these costs prior to receiving a proposal and signing a contract.

 

Utilize Modern-Day Technology

Some clients feel more comfortable traveling to their destination wedding location to tour potential venues. But it is not necessarily required. If flying out to your destination is not within budget or schedule, your planner can schedule a video chat with you and your vendors. By utilizing Facetime, Zoom, Skype, or any other realtime streaming platform, we virtually walk the venue space with you.