Read This Before You Plan A Destination Wedding
Wedding Tips
Just as the wedding guests were about to take their seats, a great storm came their way and shook the marquee that was covering everyone. Juliette Burrow’s heart stopped for a moment.
Luckily, some of the male guests got up in time to catch a hold of the tarpaulin (waterproof canvas/sheet) to keep the rain from coming in.
Due to the layout of the garden, the marquee that Burrows and her team had intended to use, couldn’t fit. They then had to get a cheaper marquee that could fit within the trees.
“It wasn’t the prettiest marquee. But, they (the couple) didnt mind spending [the extra money].”
The owner of Weddings on Samui shared that it was a sight to behold as the Scottish men dressed in kilts held onto the marquee. Despite the sudden change of weather, everyone was having a good laugh, she said.
The above is in reference to a destination wedding which took place in Koh Samui, Thailand, last year. Having been in the wedding planning business for eight years, Juliette Burrows is well equipped with the know-how of planning destination weddings on a small island such as Koh Samui.
From our chat with Burrows recently, we’ve put together a list of things you should know before planning a destination wedding!
1. To get a wedding planner or not?
It depends. If you have time on your hands to research for caterers, florists, etc, that can fit your budget and standards, then by all means, go ahead. It is important to remember that sourcing for vendors in a country you are unfamiliar with, may be more difficult than you think.
If both you and your partner have full-time jobs or if you’ve got kids, it’s going to be challenging to plan a destination wedding, Burrows shared.
She added that if you have a wedding planner who is an expert in a particular area/ region, that would be good. Based on experience, these planners can tell you which vendors are reliable and which will actually provide you with quality services.
You’d have to pay a bit to get a wedding planner, but sometimes this is worth it, especially for a destination wedding.
2. Limited resources for destination weddings
With six years of experience planning weddings in Koh Samui, Burrows shared that cost for items can be higher as resources are limited on a small island.
She gave an example: “If a couple wants to use roses or peonies for their wedding, the flowers would have to be shipped, so it’ll be more expensive. If people are on a budget, I’d recommend using local flowers.”
3. Secure a back-up venue
“Guests think that coming to a tropical island, they are guaranteed a perfect weather. Unfortunately, that’s something we can’t guarantee.
“You need to understand that if there was bad weather, you need to have a back-up. You’ve got to think how best will your venue(s) cater to your guest capacity, catering, etc.”
Don’t merely focus on how stunning a venue is/ how Instagram-worthy it is for a destination wedding.
Burrows shared: “You got to think, where is the best place to put a marquee for instance? I mean, if it’s hammering down with rain, how are guests going to get to the bathroom? Things like that. People don’t necessarily think about the logistics of putting together a wedding in a private villa on a beach.”
Read this: The Top Destination Wedding Venues in Asia 2019
4. Don’t be picky if it’s a last-minute wedding
The shortest amount of time Burrows was given to plan a destination wedding was two months! Of course, there may be some suppliers or services that aren't available, but there are always options and ways around that. That’s what I’m here for, she said.
“If you came to me, within five minutes, I could tell you who [on the island] is available.
“Sometimes, it pays to pay someone a bit of money to get things done.”
5. Invite the right people
Remember, a wedding is not just about the venue, food, and decorations. The people who are attending also play a part in setting the tone of your wedding, especially if it’s a destination wedding.
Burrows shared more about the Scottish couple that got married.
“Some of these big Scottish men were holding the tarpaulin while the wind was blowing. The food was dry. The drinks were dry. Yet, they were all laughing and drinking. They even danced through the night!
“It goes to show that no matter what, if you have the right crowd, the right staff, and a good wedding planning team, you can still have a good time.”
You might like this: Wedding Planning Mistakes to Avoid on Your Big Day
6. What’s the cost like?
The cost of destination weddings vary across different countries. Looking at 2017 to 2019 statistics fromThe Asean Post, destination wedding costs can fall in the range of:
USD 23,700 - USD 54,800 (Singapore)
USD 11,900 - USD 47,500 (Malaysia)
USD 2,000 - USD 20,000 (Thailand)
USD 2,000 - USD 35,000 (Indonesia)
USD 2,000 - USD 20,000 (Cambodia)
USD 4,800 - USD 20,000 (Philippines)
Up to USD 20,000 (Myanmar)
Up to USD 15,000 (Vietnam)
Luckily for you, Hitchbird has got some pretty awesome deals which allows you to have the dream destination wedding you envisioned without breaking the bank.Have a look.
The cost of wedding planners vary by countries as well. Most hotels would provide planners as part of the wedding package, and only some will provide you with on-the-day coordination.
Burrows, for example, charges approximately USD32/pax for a minimum of 20 pax. If that’s not a steal, we don’t know what is.
Her services include full and partial wedding planning, consultation, and on-the-day coordination for Koh Samui weddings. Hailing from the UK, Burrows moved to Koh Samui in 2006 and has been living here ever since. To know more about her, click here.
In A Nutshell
Destination weddings are a dream come true for couples. Aside from the breathtaking scenery around you, the fact that you get to have a smaller and more intimate wedding is a plus. However, the things you ought to be wary of are weather conditions and sourcing for the right vendors.
Planning a destination wedding by yourself is a daunting task, especially if you’ve got a full-time job and aren’t familiar with the location. This is where having a local wedding planner comes in handy. From budget planning and wedding styling, to logistics planning, they would have it covered. That way, you’ll have less things to fret over.
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Undecided on a location for your destination wedding? Visit Hitchbird.com to get some ideas. Alternatively, you can email us at info@hitchbird.com or call +6011 2698 6450
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