How to Choose and Plan a Destination Wedding in Costa Rica, 7 Tips to Success

You are committed to having a destination wedding, and you no doubt have a fabulous location already in mind. But now what? Where do you go from here? There is so much to consider, so much to plan!

The easy part is that throwing a destination wedding essentially means an intimate ceremony and honeymoon spot, all in one. That’s convenient, but there are still important things to consider. Fortunately, we have mapped out how to tackle all of the big questions, and a few of the small ones.

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7 Tips for Planning Your Perfect Destination Wedding

Notify guests well in advance. After all, unless you have an unlimited budget, they will have to get themselves there somehow to your ceremony and reception. In that regard, Costa Rica is an especially good choice as it is just a short flight from the U.S., with non-stop flights from many cities.  So, it is important to have an approximate head count of those near and dear to you, taking into consideration travel time for them and their budget, before you choose the venue at your destination.

Choose a meaningful spot at your destination. Once you know how many people will be joining you, now is the time to pick an appropriate wedding and reception venue. Of course, make sure this place has all of the resources you will need for your perfect wedding day. Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica and Flamingo, Costa Rica  are world-renowned, romantic destination wedding locations.

Consider the needs of your guests. Ensure that there is adequate accommodation nearby, and make sure it is affordable for everyone on your list. Equally important, have more than one accommodation choice they can choose from, if possible.  This is one of the reasons why luxury vacation rentals are the way to go. Not only can it handle the accommodation, but the wedding ceremony and reception all in one! Villas Costa Rica has a full complement of wedding villas with other villa accommodations nearby so that all guests can be close by for the ceremony and festivities.

Hire a professional. Choose one that specializes in destination weddings. That way, they can worry about the details. Again, choosing a resort with an on-site coordinator is perfect for this, especially if you are working within a budget and don’t want to spring for a private wedding planner. Otherwise, look for a wedding planner in the desired destination. They have agreements with local vendors that will make organization smoother.

If you can, visit in advance. Depending on how far the destination is, this may or may not be feasible, although, if you choose Costa Rica, it should be easier. But ideally, you want to get a feel for the venue before booking, at least three months in advance, to finalize the details. However, if a pre-trip is not possible, try to schedule Skype sessions, or come several days before the big event to make any final decisions and to also investigate hair/makeup, florists and catering vendors.

Hire full-service vendors. You don’t want to be left cleaning up after yourself the day after! Make sure the catering/bar, florists, etc. will pick up any leftover food and decorations after the celebration. That is, of course, you want to go DIY and have your guests pitch in to help!

And lastly…

Tailor your wedding dress and tux to your destination. Having a beach wedding? Then you don’t want an elaborate train! If you are the groom, a beach wedding in a tux may be a bit much, so consider some fancy black dress shorts! In addition, for warmer destinations, always choose breathable fabrics. Likewise, if you are flying, always have your dress and tux with you on the plane. DO NOT put them in checked luggage!