2 minute read
Destination Wedding Guide: Hot Tips for Planning Your Summer Destination Wedding
DESTINATION WEDDING GUIDE:
Hot Tips for Planning Your Summer DestinationWedding
BY STEPHANIE KILSON-THOMAS
Summers are made for weddings, and destination weddings are the perfect reason for family and friends to take a few days off to witness your beautiful union. When you’re planning a destination wedding during the summer months, you of course want to make sure it’s perfect: the perfect destination, the perfect resort, the perfect setup. Here are a few helpful tips for the best summer destination wedding experience.
BEWARE OF STORM SEASON.
Hurricane season begins on June 1 and ends on November 30. Mexico’s rainy season is August-October, and you’ll find that some resort chains may offer a discounted price on their wedding packages during this time period. Jamaica’s rainy season is JulyOctober, and the Dominican Republic’s rainy season is August-November. Destinations to consider that will keep you away from the storm: ABC Islands (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao) and Barbados. While these islands are safer during the hurricane season, they still experience light rains and light storms. We can’t predict the weather, but it’s always good to be prepared just in case!
BOOK EARLY YOUR DESTINATION WEDDING EARLY.
Destination wedding season is year-round; however, the summer months are always the most popular. Most family members and friends have accumulated enough PTO by the summer, and the kids are out of school. Starting Memorial Day weekend, everyone is ready to travel! Since the COVID-19 pandemic, destination weddings have seen a dramatic uptick. It has increased so much that resorts are booked out far in advance, and couples are getting married during the week so they can have their dream wedding. The best time to start planning a destination wedding is 12-18 months before your desired date, so it’s important that you begin planning early to secure it.
THERE’S MORE TO FLIGHTS THAN THE PRICE.
There’s a lot to consider when choosing your destination wedding location. When it comes to flights, the number one thing we think about is cost. A few very important things to consider when choosing your destination in regards to flights are length of travel (how long it takes to get to your destination, especially for your more senior guests), how many layovers are between your point of origin and your destination, and how many flight options are available per day (in case you or a guest happens to miss your flight or your connecting flight). Just like any other wedding, planning ahead for a destination wedding is key. But, if you do, all of your family members and friends will be able to join you to celebrate together in paradise. Happy planning!
Stephanie Kilson-Thomas
is the owner of KT Travel & More LLC, a certified destination wedding travel agency based in Dallas, TX. She has booked destination wedding travel for couples and their guests to Mexico, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, St. Lucia, and South Africa.
