Unless a couple is eloping with only their best friends as witnesses, all weddings should include the closest members of the family. And if a destination wedding is planned, special consideration must be given to the elderly family members who are closest to the bride and groom. While it may be assumed the person cannot travel, it is always best to ask him/her to determine her wishes.

In addition to speaking to the person, here are a few other ways to include the special older person.

• Be sensitive to the person’s feelings and make her feel included even if he/she cannot travel. Keep him/her informed during the planning process and make sure the person is invited to all activities at home before everyone leaves for the destination.
• Make sure to mention the person during the reception when thanking everyone for coming by stating that you wished the person was here also.
• If traditional fruit cake is served as the wedding cake, be sure to save a piece to give to the person when you return home. Other kinds of cakes might be difficult to keep but traditional cake is usually wrapped in a lace doily and plastic.
• A special album of pictures can be personalized for the person.
• If a video is available, when returning home, make arrangements to watch the video with the person.
• Of course, if an after-wedding gala or reception is scheduled, the person is invited to the party.

Once the bride and groom have decided what type of apparel to wear for the wedding ceremony, they can then notify the guests of the decision so that the guests traveling to the destination may pack their wardrobes accordingly. Destination weddings come in many levels of formalities, themes and colors. For example, the destination may be the homeland of the couple’s families so a traditional wedding may be expected. The bride and groom may wear the customary marriage outfits of a particular culture.

Contrarily, the destination wedding may be chosen in a themed type situation such as Las Vegas where celebrity impersonators are present (you HAVE to rent an exotic car in Las Vegas!). Or the destination wedding may be a combination of a formal wedding set in a beach area. And lastly, the destination wedding may be one in which the couple has thrown rules to the wind and decided on something totally fun and whimsical.

So we are going to highlight bridal garments in two categories:

• those that may not be considered North American traditional, but are just as beautiful in a beach environment,
• and also those outfits that are native to a particular country.

Beach Destination Wedding – This is probably the most flexible of all bridal clothing. Brides may choose to wear sarongs, sleeveless, low cut dresses, matching halter top and skirt ensembles, as well as fancy sundresses. The bridesmaids may dress in similar fashions to the bride with long side slits and gorgeous ruffles running up the leg, drawstring pants with tied-up blouses, or delicate, chiffon, palazzo pants.

Fabrics that are best suited to beach weddings are cotton, silk, eyelet and linen. Sheer, light materials that move easily in the breeze and do not cling to the body in the heat are cooler than tight fitting designs.

Destination Wedding in Scotland – Couples who have ancestry in Scotland can make their wedding day awe inspiring by researching their “clan” history and wearing the appropriate garb. Brides and bridesmaids wear the associated tartan pinned with the clan badge. In addition, the bride may choose to wear the traditional “arisaid” that dates back prior to the 1740s. Originally made of warn wool, today designers use white and colored silks.

Destination Wedding in Norway – Traditional Norwegian wedding attire was extremely elaborate with its fancy embroidery, knitwear patterns, metal collar, long dangling brooches and crown-like headdress. The dangling of spoons and other metal objects from the bride’s brooch, collar or headdress is important to her wedding attire so that she can scare of the evil spirits. Previous gowns were quite heavy and bulky to guard against the cool elements of the weather. The bridesmaids will dress similar to the bride but not exactly the same.

The first point that may impact upon the invitations chosen is the pared down guest list. A destination wedding guest list is invariably much smaller in numbers than a traditional wedding list. If you are choosing invitations prepared by a printer, there may be a minimum order quantity or the costs may be so prohibitive that you would not order your first choice of invitations.

The second point that is important when choosing and sending invitations for a destination wedding is the fact that much more information is required than for a standard wedding. This does mean, though, that it is appropriate to cram all that extra paper into your wedding invitation envelope. Nor does it mean that you need to have that extra info printed on the invitation. The actual setup of the invitation such as the couple’s names, the date of the wedding, the name of the church, who is doing the inviting, etc. will be included on the invitation but particulars regarding flights, itinerary and the like will not be added. Keep your invitation as neat and tidy as possible, thereby maintaining an elegant and posh look.

Lastly, remember that in the case where Save the Date Cards are not sent, destination wedding invitations should be mailed considerably sooner than a local wedding destination giving the guests time to prepare and yourself ample time to book the itinerary.

Fireman’s Fund Private Event Insurance includes their Weddingsurance® product, which covers liability in the event that a party gets out of control, cancellation, weather, photography, gifts, attire, jewelry, and rental property damage. New features that have been recently added to the coverage are cancellation of the wedding due to one or both parties backing out, emotional counseling if the wedding must be rebooked due to a calamity, more destination wedding locations, and online purchasing.

The Travelers Companies, Inc, last year launched The Wedding Protector Plan which includes a wide group of reasons under which a claim can be made. In addition to the broad range of coverage, they also permit many locations outside the US where the couple will be covered should a problem arise. They also promote the fact that there is no deductible and the cost to insure is relatively inexpensive compared to the out-of-pocket expenses due to circumstances over which the couple has no control.
One final note on purchasing wedding insurance:

Like all other insurance policies, do not assume that you are covered for every contingency. Read the sales material thoroughly, understand what is being offered and ask questions if necessary. For example, some companies do not consider cancelling a wedding due to cold feet as a reason for making a claim. Also, not all locations abroad may be permitted.

One might ask if the cost of the insurance is worth the risk and in most instances the answer would be yes. Some examples of why wedding insurance is vital when planning a destination wedding are:

• Weather is one factor that humans cannot control. Should a volcano erupt or typhoon hit the location, events will require the cancellation of the wedding. Undoubtedly, the bride and groom will have already sent deposits or even the full amount to local vendors. Their money will be lost without insurance.
• Another reason for destination wedding insurance is the fact that people get sick and accidents happen. Should either the bride or groom not be able to travel due to poor health, serious physical injury or even death, insurance will cover the costs already incurred.
• If one or more vendors do not carry through will their commitments in the way of not showing up or not providing the paid-for product or service, the insurance will cover the costs.
• Lastly, there are a large number of problems that could arise along the planning process path such as the gown being lost in transit, the wedding salon or tuxedo store closing down after having been paid, or the airline cancelling flights.

There are beach locations too in South Africa. Cape Town in the west coast and Natal facing the Indian Ocean are two of many of the suitable places for a beach wedding.

Kenya and Tanzania also have some beautiful locations. Masai Mara of Kenya, Nagarongoro Crater Lodge of Tanzania and Mnemba Island are some of the fine locations for a destination wedding.

In South Africa there are some very fine locations to conduct the great event in your life. Some of them are Drakensberg, Table Mountain, Irene Country Lodge, Franschhoek and Stellenbosch. These places are very much affordable too.

Drakensburg is no ordinary place. It is a very romantic location. This is a place any couple will dream of. A horse drawn carriage, a vintage car or even a camel is available for the transportation of the couple to the venue. A helicopter is also is available.There are several chapels and hotels nearby to suite your taste.

Table Mountain is a place in Cape Town. During the daytime you will see the continuous flow of clouds over the mountain which the local people have named ‘the tablecloth’. At night the mountain is illuminated. Franschhoek and Stellenbosch have their famous wine estates. These wine yards and the impressive oak trees provide a perfect background for a memorable wedding.

The children will most likely be different age brackets which might make keeping them occupied more difficult but if they are family, they will be used to one another. Generally, there are a few ways to keep the kids happy during their stay.

• Make sure the sightseeing is appropriate for the children. Anything too strenuous or exhausting for small children should be reconsidered. That is not to say that none of the adults should go. But maybe the children should stay back with someone who does not wish to go.
• Be safe. One thing that happens when vacationing or traveling to a resort or hotel for a wedding, the jubilant emotions cloud judgments. Common sense must be used when allowing children near water, nears strangers, and allowing them to wander about in a strange place. It is easy to lose sight of the children so be diligent and have other people help so that everyone enjoys himself or herself.
• Organize activities specifically for children, both during the stay and at the wedding reception. Face painting, puppet shows, building sandcastles, making snowmen, and age appropriate crafts will help children to avoid boredom.

Ski Lodge – Think of an open fire crackling in the howling wind, pretty laces of ice on the window panes and a rustic cathedral ceiling cottage. What could be more romantic than this cozy backdrop? Add a marshmallow and hotdog roast and you have the perfect cold weather setting. While skiing may not be suitable for everyone on the guest list, there is still plenty to do but this theme might be better suited to smaller wedding parties who all enjoy the snow.

Horse Drawn Carriage – Instead of motorized vehicles, the bride and groom order horses and carriages to transport the guests from the church to the reception venue. But if there are too many guests in attendance to arrange enough carriages, the couple should travel by horse and carriage and then offer sleigh rides at the reception so all the guests can participate in the fun and enjoy the majestic scenery.

Winter Menu – Indeed, the cold weather is a perfect time to try some unique food selections for the reception meal or even the night before the wedding day. A deep, rich butternut squash soup with hearty grain breads will warm everyone up at the beginning of the meal. Continue with a red lettuce and almond winter salad and the main course of roast beef. Dessert is a creamy, hot rice and raisin pudding, or a hot plum pudding with rum sauce or a selection of winter pies such as pumpkin or mincemeat. Use the cold season as a fun excuse to serve specialty coffees and hot chocolate with whipped cream and spice toppings. A robust meal created for winter elements which is sure to delight!

Ice Hotels and Sculptures – There are several countries around the world including Canada, Sweden, Romania, Finnmark, and Norway that have magnificent ice hotels. Beautiful edifices made of ice, intricately carved and masterfully designed. Every detail in the grand scheme is carried out with precision. And when finished, these are working establishments that accommodate upwards of two hundred people. Would one of these marvelous ice hotels not be a paradise setting for a destination wedding in the snow? Quite a few of these Ice Hotels are possible when you’re having a wedding in Europe, but Alaska and Quebec also have some ice hotels…

In addition to the ice hotels, there are many winter festivals where sensational ice sculptures are created. The sculptures make wonderful photography for a wedding in the snow. Contact one of the favorite sculptors and commission a custom made sculpture for the door to the entrance of the reception venue.

Winter Bridal Attire – While it is true that a winter wedding increases the wedding budget due to the extra clothing required, it is nonetheless a magical event. White gowns on white snow are truly spectacular! Gorgeous faux fur trimmed capes, faux mink ear muffs, and long delicate gloves with pretty Victorian lace up boots will make the bride radiant. The bridesmaids will dress similarly in a rich taupe color or even dazzling red with white complements.

The answer is no. Giving makeup the proper attention well before leaving for a destination wedding should be a priority for all brides. So we have chosen some quick points to consider when stocking your wedding makeup bag.

• The weather will contribute to the type of makeup, amount of makeup and the colors used. For instance, in very hot climates, a liquid foundation may be too bulky and may actually melt. Fine powder or no foundation may be better suited to tropical regions.
• For any wedding, the photos are important and makeup can make or break the picture. Send an email to the photographer and ask whether he or she has tips for you. Certain colors may not be prudent in the lighting that he or she uses.
• The color choice of the lipstick should complement your skin tone but at the same time complement the mood. Bright reds for example look stunning with white accessories in the white snow.
• Do some research about the destination. Look at other photographs if possible to see how other brides appeared and work from the weaknesses or strengths.
• It might be an idea to have your makeup done professionally for one sitting prior to the wedding to understand how your makeup should look.

Lastly, be sure to buy all your cosmetics at home when you have sufficient time to shop. Rushing and forgetting specific items will make it difficult when you arrive in your destination.

1. Help to keep within your budget by calling the post office to inquire about size limitations on cards and envelopes. If you need bigger cards to say everything that is required, be sure to calculate the added postage expense if you are on a tight budget.
2. If you decide to make your own cards, create at least one card and take it to the post office for pricing. Make sure your card is not too thick and if an envelope is preferred, enclose the card for weighing.
3. You may not want postage cancellation marks on your cards as some guests may choose to keep the card as a souvenir. Either take your cards directly to the post office and ask them to hand cancel them or enclose the cards in envelopes. Sometimes envelopes work better because you avoid any stains or dirt that might get on the card during transit. They prevent dog-eared corners as well.
4. Your cards may be as fancy or as whimsical as you wish. But vulgarity, coarse jokes, and offensive words are out of the question in all instances.