Latest Wedding Trends

The latest wedding trends, including destination weddings and theme weddings,

Now that air travel is affordable and the internet allows easy search for wedding planning,couples are considering variations of the traditional wedding ceremonies. It more common to have arrangements that are more relaxed and stress free for the couple, because the weddings may have to be smaller, the wedding may also cost less. Usually the Destination Wedding location is also the honeymoon spot.

Themed Weddings may be held either in the traditional locations in the bride’s home town, or in a unique far-away setting. Destination weddings may be purely traditional in nature or may also have a theme.

First consideration for the couple always involves cost and the need to keep family and friends happy. One point to consider having a Destination wedding is the financial and the problem of people getting the time off to attend. This be resolved by holding a reception after returning from the wedding, for all who were not able to travel to the wedding.

Thoughts on Themed Weddings

Plan the event so that the theme does not overshadow the true meaning of the wedding day.
Relax the rules, and allow the wedding to flow naturally without traditional constraints.
Themed Period Costumes for the wedding party may be acceptable if every participant is comfortable with the idea, and the additional cost is agreeable to those who pay it.
Review the plan with everyone beforehand, especially the officiant.
Consider the weather before finalizing the theme plan. The attire should match the season.
Ask questions. Prospective vendors are a good source of information for planning the wedding.
Evaluate the amount of work required to be performed before the wedding, and how much personal time is available, and employ a wedding coordinator as early as possible if one is needed.

Popular Themes Being Used

1920’s Theme
Medieval/Renaissance
Victorian
Autumn
Scottish
Western
Cinderella
Japanese
Outdoor
Polish
Beach
Spring Blossoms
Fairy Tale Wedding
Under the Sea

Destination Weddings can be great experience, but takes even more planning and long distance preparation is needed than for a traditional local wedding. The first thing to think about is what are the marriage law requirements? it could be dangerous to consider any location where there is not a record of a substantial number of routine weddings of foreign nationals without administrative delays. Some foreign locations require a residency period, health tests, and can be a nightmare or red tape.

Ehe whole wedding procedure can be made easier by working with a savvy representative in that area. In many cases the foreign assistor may not necessarily be a formal business person, but may be a hotel wedding coordinator. Those wedding couples who have been most successful and satisfied at destination weddings have tended to keep control of most of the detailed planning and arrangements, and have used foreign help as assistance only. Unlike honeymoons, where the wedding couple have to please only themselves, Destination weddings must please the entire wedding party, and be reasonably affordable for all invited guests.

One option is to hire a wedding consultant who is familiar with the location where the wedding couple wants to get married. The consultant may located in the place where the wedding will occur or a travel agent who has experience in planning remote destination weddings. In some locales there are wedding consultants whose primary business is working with foreign couples.

All told, this may be the safest way to plan a wedding, but it will add to the cost. A flat fee may be charged, or a surcharge applied to the cost of all services are contracted on the wedding couples behalf. References are required, and still the ultimate responsibility for detail verification must be retained by the wedding couple.

A second option is to find a hotel or inn, or bed & breakfast that offers wedding planning services for guests who stay there. Many of these have hosted weddings in the past, and some have a salesperson who helps with the wedding planning, often for a ceremony and reception right on site

Another option is to find a wedding chapel at the location the wedding couple has chosen. These tend to have complete packages with photographs, flowers, music, officiant, even license built right in. The wedding couple’s work is usually limited to showing up. This is easiest, and may be least expensive. However, the wedding couple doesn’t have control over some of the details, and might be put off by the relatively impersonal nature of the ceremony.

For example, a wedding in a beautiful historic inn may need no additional decoration or flowers. For weddings in Hawaii, Jamaica , or other tropical location, where the natural flowers and outdoor setting are naturally beautiful, just having the bride and groom, and wedding party looks perfectly natural. And may completely avoid the cost of flowers and rental of a venue for the wedding.

One successful strategy for destination weddings is to complete as many tasks as possible before leaving home. Packing of clothing should be carefully planned well in advance. Make certain the right-sized suitcase or box is on hand. Much luggage can be generated when traveling to a destination wedding. When traveling by air plan to carry on as much as possible, and farm out to the excess to family and friends who are also traveling to the same location

Happy Planning!