How to Plan Your Dream Destination Wedding Like a Pro

1. Expecting Bridesmaids To Foot The Bill For Destination Celebrations

Life today is already painfully expensive, and while getting asked to be a bridesmaid can feel like an honor, it just piles on even more costs.

You'll have to buy a dress, get your hair and makeup done, purchase a gift, and possibly arrange hotel accommodations or childcare for the day of the event. So, why bridesmaids are expected to drop hundreds if not thousands of dollars on flights, hotels, dining, and activities for a destination bachelorette party is beyond us.

Yes, a weekend in Miami or Las Vegas could be epic, but not everyone can afford to splurge on a mini-vacation just because their friend is getting married. Unless everyone involved feels comfortable spending that kind of money on a bachelorette trip, just pick a more budget-friendly option, like a one-day celebration or even a short road trip closer to home.

2. Matching Outfits

Coordinated bachelorette party outfits definitely had their moment, but nowadays, the idea of forcing everyone into the same cheesy T-shirts or color-coordinated dresses can be overboard.

Again, some bridesmaids may view it as an unnecessary expense that's not worth it for a cute Instagram photo. Plus, personal style and comfort matter, so if you have bridesmaids with different aesthetics and body types, at least one may just end up feeling uncomfortable the whole time.

That's why looser clothing themes or overall color palettes are a safer way to go.

3. Sashes, Tiaras, and Cowboy Hats

If you truly love the idea of parading around in sashes, tiaras, and hot pink cowboy hats during your or your friend's bachelorette party, more power to you. Honestly, though, the accessories have begun to feel more like a cliché than anything.

They can come across as tacky and overdone. Not to mention, they're usually cheaply made and end up in the trash by the end of the night.

Our advice? Save your money and invest in more stylish, personalized touches, like custom accessories or jewelry.

4. Brides Only Wearing White

Traditionally, brides have stuck to wearing only white throughout their whole bachelorette party celebration. That's still fine, but if the idea makes you feel restricted, don't be afraid to break the mold.

If you want to switch it up by mixing in colors or patterns, don't let anyone stop you. Remember, your bachelorette party is supposed to be fun for you.

You shouldn't allow social media photo ops or general societal expectations to dictate what you can and can't wear during your own party.

5. Cringey Slogans

We've all seen the slogans that brides and their bridesmaids use for their bachelorette parties, either on apparel, decor, or hashtags for social media. For instance, "Bride Tribe," "I Do Crew," or even "Last Fling Before The Ring."

Like sashes and cowboy hats, the slogans are cliché and sometimes just cringeworthy. You don't need a catchphrase to have a good time, and if you want one, maybe go the more unique route.

6. Getting Blackout Drunk Every Night

Spoiler alert: you don't have to get blackout drunk every single night to enjoy a bachelorette party.

We get it: throwing back some shots or sipping on wine all day can be fun, especially with your girlfriends. But if you have a whole day (or even weekend) planned, getting wasted can be a recipe for disaster.

First, you'll probably be hungover or generally unhappy for later activities. Moreover, alcohol has the ability to raise tensions and spark drama, which can bulldoze the group dynamic.

Obviously, you can still kick back and indulge a little. However, keep the bride in mind and strive for a balance to make memories that you'll actually remember.

7. Over-Scheduling The Itinerary

Since multi-day bachelorette parties are so popular, it can be tempting to pack your group's itinerary chock full of activities. And suddenly, things that sound exciting on their own, like brunch, yoga, wine tasting, dinner, or clubbing, feel like an exhausting checklist when scheduled literally back to back.

Realize that the reason for bachelorette parties is for brides to connect and bond with their closest friends. Leave room for spontaneity, downtime, and relaxation. Wedding planning is already stressful enough as it is.

8. Not Considering What The Bride Wants

Finally, at the end of the day, a bachelorette party should be about celebrating the bride. So, if bridesmaids are tasked with planning the celebration, the bride's personality and interests need to be considered.

It's time to retire the idea that every bachelorette party has to follow a cookie-cutter formula. If the bride isn't into clubbing, don't plan a huge night out! Or, if she's more of a homebody, don't push for a major trip.

The best bachelorette parties are the ones that feel thoughtful and personal, not just trendy. And if you have any doubts about what the bride wants, all you have to do is ask her.

1. New Years Eve

December 31 may have come and gone, but there's always more NYE events to come. It's just one of the worst days to have your wedding. No, I mean it. Abbott suggests this isn't the time to pack two celebratory events into one. As the owner and creative director of Amy Abbott Events, she's helped plan luxurious weddings for some of Hollywood's top celebrities and athletes — including Simone Biles!

So, why no fabulous wedding on NYE? She says, "You’ll end up paying almost 50 percent more as vendors typically charge much higher rates." But, that's just the tip of the iceberg. She also adds, "For destination weddings during this time of year, hotels often enforce 5- to 7-night minimum stays, with hotel rates being nearly double. This can make it almost impossible for your guests to commit to attending your wedding." Even if you think money isn't an issue, she advises "it's just a very costly option."

That's not the only issue you could face. "To add to the challenge, some of the best vendors often take the entire holiday season off, making availability a significant issue." This just made our jaws drop because we didn't know this! But we can imagine this feels like one of the times they get to catch their breath before prepping for such a huge moment in people's lives so it's not unbelievable!

2. Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is such a romantic day that deserves to be reserved for celebrating how much you're in love. But, please don't think your wedding has to be on February 14. Vezzetti says this day along with NYE "may sound romantic," but they're not in "reality."

She says, "These dates are super popular for weddings and other celebrations, which means venues and vendors charge a premium." And guess what? She says you're not even considering "future anniversaries."

Her advice if you decide to forge ahead is: "Good luck booking a cozy dinner reservation when everyone else is celebrating too."

3. Super Bowl Sunday

Another thing Fay says couples "often forget about" are "major sporting events." Her rule of thumb is to "try to understand the guest list and audience" so her team can be "conscious of their experiences."

It's the reason she's against have a wedding on Super Bowl Sunday. She says, "It may leave guests less present at your event, even if you're not a football fan. So we [the Tara Fay Events team] try to be conscious of big cultural and sporting events like this."

Always be aware of times close to major holidays. If guests have to travel distances and be away from their families, that may impact your rsvp’s. Plus, it’s typically more expensive to travel those times of year. Don’t forget about international holidays as well, Diwali for example.

4. Labor Day

Vezzetti also discourages scheduling a wedding on Labor Day. The rule used to be that you couldn't wear white after this holiday passed, but now you need to rethink your plans if you plan to trade 'I Do's" on this date.

"Long holiday weekends may seem ideal for travel, but they also come with headaches. First, heavy traffic," says Vezzetti. She and her team "have seen travel times TRIPLE on Colorado roadways during these holidays." This fact alone made our hearts skip a beat because we caught of a flash of you potentially being late your own wedding!

Also, Vezzetti says you won't be the only person in town for a holiday like this. "Because everyone else is traveling, lodging and restaurants are hard to come by, especially popular mountain retreats in places like Colorado."

5. Memorial Day

Sigh... We don't know why anyone would want to have a wedding on Memorial Day, but personal preference always plays a factor in decisions like this. The issue, Vezzetti warns, is that you're risking a lot by doing so. "Before you set the date, do a little research as to local annual events," she advises.

For example, Boulder, Colorado is a "great destination with amazing scenery, warm weather, and world-class dining" according to her. "But Memorial Day in Boulder, Colorado brings more than 50,000 runners into town. So definitely check the local calendar for your wedding destination and make sure you aren't going to share your special day with thousands of others."

Can you imagine having an outdoor wedding where your guests are torn between watching you emotionally exchange vows as marathon runners sprint nearby?

I'm kind of scared I'll choose the wrong date. What are good days or months to have my wedding?

This sounds like a "how-to" guide of everything you shouldn't do when choosing your wedding date, but there's still a large window of opportunity! "The best months to get married for tropical destination weddings are October 15th through July 15th," Abbott says.

But, there's a catch. "Once you go beyond that, you risk running into hurricane season. Even if you're fortunate enough to avoid a storm, the intense heat and relentless bugs can take away from the enjoyment of your day," she adds. All in all, "it's simply not an ideal time of year" because "the weather can significantly impact your overall experience," according to her.

Fay agrees with this by adding "major weather events are important to consider" at all times. She also added you should "take note of monsoon months" along with "hurricane season." She knows no one can really "predict bad weather," but she wants you to "aim for months that more often provide the experience you're looking to have."

Vezzetti says "popular dates in Colorado are the summer months (June-September) because of the scenic outdoor backdrops and warm weather." But she knows there are "trade-offs" like "venues and vendors" booking early, plus the chance "you might pay higher prices" even though the "gorgeous sand makes it worth it!"

The truth is that your special day should feel as seamless as possible. Something is sure not to go according to plan, but it shouldn't involve something interrupting the entire date you've chosen to have your weeding. Fay's final piece of advice, "If you want to get married in Europe, be aware of when Europeans go on holiday and try to avoid August which is the busiest time for major European countries.

But, the trade-offs are that venues and vendors book early and you might pay higher prices (but it's gorgeous sand worth it!). But, if you want to save, In Colorado late spring (April–May) and late fall (November) are excellent for the value. Plus, venues and vendors often have more availability. This concept can be applied to other destinations, but they may have seasonal variations. So, be sure to check the seasonal highs and lows in whatever area you are planning to tie the knot.

A tip you may not have considered is doing "a little research on when courthouses in the destination issue marriage licenses." Vezzetti suggests doing this so you're well-prepared and can "plan with enough travel time so you are not scrambling to get your legal documents."

Not sure when to go? Vezzetti says, "In most States, courthouses are only open during banking hours (Mon-Fri, generally), and while the process may quick (in Colorado, expect 15 minutes, tops), couples without a plan might find themselves in panic mode." Didn't we say we don't want you passing out before your big day even arrives? Take Vezzetti's advice and "do a little research" so you can "plan to arrive a day early!"

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