Tiffany Cook Wedding Talk: Destination Weddings

Destination wedding planner, Tiffany Cook, of Dream Design Weddings, plans a Miami Beach destination wedding.

What bride doesn't get excited at the prospect of going somewhere gorgeous and unique to exchange vows with their groom? It’s a great way to break tradition and also have a more intimate affair, which is why destination weddings have been on the rise recently.

The beauty of having a destination wedding is that they're set in romantic getaways, perfect for you to stay post-ceremony and honeymoon with your new husband and they may even allow for a little island-hopping.

What’s even better is that no matter what your style or budget is, there's a destination for every couple! From tropical islands in the Caribbean to scenic peaks in Italy even to whimsical Disney, there is a location stateside or abroad that will bring your dream wedding to life.

But remember, when planning a destination wedding a wedding planner is a must especially so you can enjoy being a bride! We can handle with everything from organizing flight information and transportation to finding the right florist and making sure everything is delivered even on island time.

Tiffany Cook Wedding Talk: Planning Your Wedding from Afar

Because a majority of our brides aren't local and end up planning their weddings with Tiffany from afar, here is a little perspective on what it takes to be plan a destination wedding if you can't have a planner. 

First and foremost, don’t let your expectations get you down. Because you end up planning from across the country or the other side of the globe, planning isn't exactly like what you've seen on TV or in the movies. By throwing out your expectations, you get to really focus on what planning is and enjoy being a bride. Look into Skyping with your family for the tough conversations like budget or to show off your latest DIY triumph. And when you are in town at your wedding location, you get to have jam-packed weekends and do what Tiffany likes to call "power planning." 

Speaking of power planning... Be prepared! Come with lists of what you want/need to get accomplished that way you can get as much out of those visits as possible. These power plannign trips will become something you look forward to, and a fond memory to look back on.

This one's a tough one for many brides, but learn to let go. Your bridal party and family are going to ask 'what can they do' and you’re not going to want to relinquish things but for your sanity (and theirs) learn to let go of some of the little details – it will be hard but in the end you're going to be so happy you didn't have to worry about picking up welcome bag items or your brother's tux. (Trust me, we've been there before.)

Most importantly, remember that you’re not alone. There are so many brides and grooms who do the cross country/destination wedding planning, and you just have to brace yourself for it!  The more you can do to let go, the better your sanity will be. You won’t be missing out on anything you don’t set yourself up to miss.