Plan your dream destination wedding using the simple 5W system

Planning a destination wedding can be challenging, perhaps even scary, but it doesn’t have to be, if you follow the simple 5W rule. The first 3 W’s are inseparable ; “Where”, “When” and “Who” as they are the very basis of your wedding plan.

Where

Refers to the destination, which is obviously an extremely important factor of your wedding plan. But the destination is usually not the most important factor, because for example for a beach wedding there a many destinations offering nice beaches, sunny climate, etc.

Also the ease of travel and cost of travel is to be taken into consideration.

Then there may be personal preferences involved, because for example you know the area well, like the culture or food, etc.

Finally, also the venues available in those possible destinations are to be taken into consideration, as some destinations have better, more private, cheaper, easier accessible, etc venues then others.

When

Choosing a destination and venue is great, but if you have a specific wedding date which is of emotional importance to you, then the venue may not be available on that date.

Therefore, you can only decide on the venue if it’s available on your date of preference, unless of course that you’re flexible in your wedding date, and can adapt to the venues availability.

Who

If you plan to do it all yourself, then the answer to this “W” is simple, but then the real challenge and stress only begins, since planning a destination wedding from a distance will proof to be very difficult, demanding and stressful.

If you think that you can plan a wedding by e-mail or phone, well, think again !

So the far better option is to choose a professional destination wedding planner, living and working on your destination of choice, and able to be your eyes, ears and negotiator “on site”.

And since he’s most likely to do numerous weddings there, he will more then likely be able to negotiate better deals, then you will ever be able to, even if you’re willing to travel back and forth to the destination during the planning process.

What

Now it’s time for the “What”, meaning the detailed planning of your dream wedding abroad.
 During the weeks and months to come, you can plan your wedding in all detail, deciding on timing, decorations, food, music and so much more.

And if you’ve found a good answer to your “who” then you will get a lot of help in doing so.

Wow

Finally, when the “what” has become clear, and you’re in the final stages of your wedding plan, and you still have some budget left, it’s time for the “wow”.

The small or not-so-small things, details, gifts, acts, etc that make your wedding truly unique and stand out from the average wedding.

Why we keep the wow for last ?

Simple, because the “what” is the core of your wedding plan, and you need to prioritize your budget towards the what, and spend any remaining budget on the “icing on the cake”

In short, dare to dream and start planning your unique wedding abroad now !

 Chris De Houwer & Elke Lambrechts are professional wedding planners & wedding designers of Costa Blanca Events, located in Altea on the Spanish Costa Blanca. Together with their team they organise weddings in more then 30 unique venues across the Costa Blanca. They’re perfectionists, and create bespoke and unforgettable weddings. Their proprietary online systems make it very easy, and stress frees to plan your dream wedding abroad. www.weddingsinspain.eu, photo & video mood books on www.costablancaevents.com