q&a
from where to wed to what to bring, get your questions answered
How can I find fun activities for my
guests to enjoy outside of the wedding
festivities?
N W
o matter what destination
you choose, there are bound
to be a ton of options. Your
best bet is to do a little research. And
by “research” I mean surf the Web.
Many resort websites list things to
do on the property as well as details
and contact info for activities located
off the premises. If you’re looking
for even more choices, check out
the tourism-board website for your
locale. Also investigate travel sites
like frommers.com and lonelyplanet
.com. And if that still doesn’t bring up
enough prospects, ask the concierge
at your hotel for suggestions. Most
likely you’ll end up with so many ideas
you won’t know where to start. But
don’t stress — chances are your guests
will have fun no matter what they do.
Whether they are visiting the seven
pools in Maui or zip-lining through a
jungle in Costa Rica, the point is
to have fun!
ask tara
by tara bradley illustration by edwin fotheringham
I have chosen an outdoor wedding but
am terrified that it is going to rain. What
do I do if it starts to pour?
hile there are no guarantees
when it comes to weather,
a “plan B” never hurts.
Some showers can last less than an
hour, so waiting out the storm is the
easiest solution if your resort doesn’t
have any other events scheduled that
day. If they do, ask your wedding
planner or the hotel manager if there
is an indoor option for weather
concerns, especially if it’s the wet
season. (To find out what kind of
conditions you can expect, consult
our handy weather chart on page
82.) If the hotel doesn’t have a ready
alternative, consider contacting a local
tent or canopy vendor. You can work
with them to set up an agreement
for tentative reservations, rates and
a deadline to determine whether or
not their services will be needed. This
way, should the forecast look bleak,
you’ll know that a tent or alternative
location is ready and waiting.
Our friends are in varying income
brackets. Any advice on how to remove
some of the burden without going broke?
M
any resorts will offer
discounted group rates
for wedding guests, which
means your guests’ vacay could be
cheaper than you think. Shop around
and see what the different hotels and
restaurants in your locale are willing
to offer. You can also take the all-
inclusive route: This type of resort is
great because everything — rooms,
amenities, food and sometimes even
alcohol — is included in one rate, so
your guests only have to worry about
one price. Even after deciding on the
main hotel, it’s nice to recommend
some alternatives in different price
ranges as well. This way your guests
will feel comfortable knowing they
have the final say on how much they
are going to spend.
You can also help your guests by
paying for certain activities or meals
outside the wedding reception, like
a welcome dinner or sunset cruise.
2008 worldwide guide 21
q&a
After that, they can choose to sign up
for additional excursions based on
their budget. Be sure to include what
you will and won’t be covering in the
itinerary so there are no surprises.
22 destination weddings & honeymoons
And don’t forget to ask your wedding
planner for budget-friendly ideas or
some local secret tips.
Finally, if you’ve got a VIP who
simply can’t afford it, there’s nothing
wrong with offering to foot the bill
in exchange for help with some of the
other tasks. Most likely, you’ll find the
extra help — and having your pal at
your side — to be worth the price.
When dealing with vendors, I’ve heard
it’s good to hire locally. What is the
best way to choose an out-of-
town vendor — be it a planner,
photographer, florist, caterer —
without meeting them in person?
M
any brides opt for local
vendors because they
not only provide a
destination-specific feel to an event
(think mariachi bands or hula
dancers), but they also eliminate
additional travel expenses. Get a list
of recommended vendors from your
wedding planner or hotel manager;
then email or call your top prospects.
If there is a language barrier, have
your wedding planner or hotel
manager act as a go-between.
Explain your vision to them and see
if they have any good suggestions
or ideas to complement your theme.
Look for someone who you feel
confident will not only get the job
done but makes you feel comfortable
too. When you’ve narrowed it down,
ask for references and actually
contact them. In addition to getting
the inside scoop on your vendor, past
clients may also have some helpful
tips based on their own experiences.
When the references offer raves
and you’re ready to hire, draw up
a contract stating the agreed-upon
deposit (if any), rate, arrival and
departure times, and a detailed list of
required services. When you arrive
at your destination, make time for a
quick run-through with all of your
vendors, and then let them loose to
do what they do best.
Have a question?
Email Tara directly at:
editor@destinationweddingmag.com.