Many people have the impression that destination weddings are easier and less stressful than planning a wedding at home – but that’s not always the case. Here are 5 important factors to consider when planning a destination wedding

1. YOUR GUESTS
Destination weddings ask a lot of your invitees: the cost of travel, of course, and depending on the location guests may have to take time off work to attend your nuptials. You’ll likely have friends or family who cannot attend or choose not to attend for various reasons. Be prepared for some loved ones to miss the occasion and don’t take it personally.

Tips:

• • Provide accommodation options at different price points to suit a range of budgets.

• Setup a wedding website to convey travel information to your guests to make it easier for them to attend.

2. PLANNING FROM AFAR
If you have “Type A” tendencies, a destination wedding may not be a good fit! Unless you’re able to travel to the location before the wedding to scope out venues and meet with vendors in person, you may find it difficult to make all your plans remotely, especially when cultural differences and language barriers come into play. In some destinations it can take weeks to receive email responses – not every bride has the patience to deal with that pace of planning.

Tips:

• Do your research! Search for real photos from travel review sites or destination wedding blogs to avoid unwelcome surprises.
• Engage the services of a Wedding Planner experienced with weddings in the area.

3. BON VOYAGE BUDGET
It is a common belief that destination weddings are much cheaper than celebrating at home, however tropical resort packages can be deceiving as they are often for a very small number of guests and do not include a private reception.

A weak Canadian dollar can affect affordability of destinations abroad, so why not consider a beautiful destination closer to home? Canada boasts incredible locations throughout the Rocky Mountains, Okanagan Valley and West Coast.

Tips:

• Look off-resort for great local venues that will give you more flexibility in customizing your wedding and choosing your suppliers.
• Some locations may offer better rates for weekday and/or low season weddings.

4. THE UNEXPECTED
Destination weddings are more likely to be affected by factors beyond your control. Examples include extreme weather, such as hurricanes, snow storms, floods and forest fires (we’ve had weddings affected by all of the above); health outbreaks like Swine Flu and most recently, Zika Virus; and foreign political unrest.

Tips:

• If you’re heading somewhere tropical, check when that area is most likely to experience severe storms – in other words, don’t have your wedding during hurricane season!
• Look into getting traveller’s insurance and wedding cancellation insurance.

5. MAKING IT LEGAL
Each country has their own legal requirements for marriages. Some countries mandate blood tests and may require that you’re in the country for a specified number of days before the wedding takes place. In Canada and the U.S. marriage licenses are issued by province / state, so be sure to check the particulars for your wedding location.

Tip: 

• Consider getting married legally at home shortly before or after your destination wedding, and have a symbolic ceremony abroad. This can look and feel exactly the same as a legal ceremony so your guests won’t know the difference – and you may save yourselves some headaches.

+  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +

As published in the Fall/Winter 2016 issue of Blush Magazine.

+  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +

Jennifer + Team | Jennifer Bergman Weddings
Edmonton Wedding Planning + Design wigs

Destination weddings are a welcome break during our long Canadian winters. Earlier this year we had the honour of travelling to Jamaica with an intimate group of Cindy and Matt’s closest friends and family members.

We suggested holding the wedding festivities off-resort, as this is a great opportunity for guests to see a new part of the island. It also makes the wedding day feel more like a special experience when you travel to a different venue for the wedding day, rather than simply walking down to the beach of the resort.

The historic Rose Hall property was the perfect choice. The ceremony was held on the golf course near the water at Ocean’s Edge. It was a bit windy that day, so perhaps that’s why everyone’s eyes were watering – but more likely it was due to the incredible connection that Cindy and Matt share, which was evident from the moment they saw one another at the altar and pledged their lives to each other.

After the ceremony guests were transported a short distance up to the top of the Rose Hall property where the reception was held. Built in the 1770s, the famous Rose Hall Great House is a mansion in Jamaican Georgian style set high on the hillside with a panorama view over the coast. Cocktails took place under a 150 year-old ficus tree, and a beautiful clear-span tent housed the rest of the evening’s festivities, including a throwback video dance party!

See more of Cindy + Matt’s wedding in the Autumn/Winter 2016 issue of Blush Magazine, and do not miss their incredible highlight film by A Love Story – it’s such a great testament to why you should invest in a wedding video!

Jennifer + Team | Jennifer Bergman Weddings
Jamaica Wedding Planning + Design
Destination Wedding Planning + Design

+  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +

Credits:

• Wedding Planning + Design: Jennifer Bergman Weddings
• Photography: Retrospekt Design 
• Videography: A Love Story 
• Officiant: Rev. Egbert Harvey
• Ceremony + Reception Music: Jamaica Wedding DJ
• Stationery: Pinkpolka Invitations & Stationery
• Florals: Tai Flora
• Rentals: Tai Flora
• Cake: Cakes by Noida
• Transportation: Koolspot Tours
• Hair: Iberostar Rose Hall Spa
• Makeup: Ladies did themselves (lesson from Sen Studios)
• Bridal Gown: Novelle Bridal Shop
• Accommodations: Iberostar Rose Hall Beach Resort
• Travel Agent: Mary Thomas from Holiday Events & Travel

Save

While we’re based in Edmonton, Alberta, we’ve had the pleasure of planning and designing weddings in many beautiful destinations – both in Canada and abroad! This series will showcase some of our favourite locations including information for couples considering a wedding away from home.

+  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +

Destination ‘I Do’ Wedding Series: Canmore, Alberta

Canmore is situated in the magnificent Bow Valley within Alberta’s Rockies. A short one-hour drive from Calgary, it is an accessible location for both guests and wedding vendors.

One of our favourite venues in Canmore is Silvertip Resort. The epitome of Rustic Elegance, Silvertip is a popular wedding venue and tends to book up far in advance. Dark wooden beams and ample natural light make the Pavilion banquet space a stunning setting for up to 250 guests.

Conveniently, you can hold both your ceremony and reception at Silvertip. In the summer months, say I Do in a gorgeous outdoor gazebo overlooking the mountains; in winter, nuptials are exchanged in front of a cozy stone fireplace inside the Pavilion.

Here are some images of past JBW couples’ weddings at Silvertip in beautiful Canmore.

Real Wedding: Carly + Taylor // Julie Williams Photography Real Wedding: Maureen + Tyler // Kendal and Kevin Photography + Retrospekt Photography

+  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +

Jennifer + Team | Jennifer Bergman Weddings
Canmore Wedding Planning + Design
Silvertip Resort Wedding Planner

Save

More and more couples are choosing to break tradition and see each other before they walk down the aisle. Referred to as a “first look,” it is when the to-be-weds see one another in their wedding attire with their photo and video team present to document the moment. Most couples then spend a couple of hours taking photos with their wedding party before heading to the ceremony to say I Do.

While this change of format isn’t for everyone, taking photos before the ceremony is a great idea for a few reasons:

• Feeling fresh. Taking photos right after you get ready means your hair and makeup will be at their best. (This also applies to your flowers!)
• Capture the moment. Your photo and video team will ensure this special moment is captured at all angles, with no risk of Uncle Hank’s iPad obstructing the view.
• Keep calm and marry on. If you’re the anxious type, hanging out and taking photos with the bridal party will help you relax before the ceremony.
• Gone with the gap. Getting photos out of the way before the ceremony saves your guests the painful wait in between events, and allows you to spend more time visiting with them. This is particularly convenient if both ceremony and reception are being held at the same venue.

Here are some amazing photos of JBW couples sharing their first look!

{Sharon Litchfield Photography}

{Blake Loates Photography}

{Carey Nash Photography}

{Gabe McClintock}

{Brianna Hughes Photography}

{Sharon Litchfield Photography}

{ENV Photography}

{Jesse Holland Photography}

{Kevin Trowbridge Photography}

{Sharon Litchfield Photography}

{kate Redinger Photographer}

{Nicole Ashley Photography}

+  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +

Jennifer + Team | Jennifer Bergman Weddings
Edmonton Wedding Planning + Design

Save