By Rackel Gehlsen
Congratulations, you’re engaged! Thinking about a destination wedding? Palm Beach has everything you could possibly imagine and more! Whether you are looking for a luxury boutique setting or a grand resort, the possibilities are truly unlimited to create a lifetime experience.
So where do you start? How do you navigate this journey and enjoy being engaged without becoming overwhelmed? Here are a few tips to get you started so the planning can be as much fun as the actual wedding weekend.
Hire a seasoned wedding planner who is based in the area where you are getting married. You need to have someone who literally has their “boots on the ground” and can go to the venue at any given time to reference things, meet with your vendors, and is up to date with what is happening in the area, especially at the time of year that you are getting married. A wedding planner will keep you in the know of any changes that you might not be aware of since you aren’t local and will be your advocate. Also, your wedding planner will have a great knowledge of the best wedding vendors to select based on your vision.
Create your list of “Must Haves.” It is easier to fine tune your decisions and details if you have a list of items that are an absolute must. Let’s say you want to have your ceremony overlooking the ocean. This helps narrow down the choices of venues and then you can move on to room accommodations and activities for the weekend. One of the greatest benefits of a destination wedding is that it is a getaway for everyone attending. Make the most of your time! Plan a weekend experience by starting with a welcome party the night of guest arrival, followed by your wedding day, and don’t forget the post wedding day brunch. Whether it is a sit-down brunch or lounging in cabanas by the pool, recapping the events from the wedding are priceless.
Get the word out to your guest list early. No matter what time of the year you decide to get married, Palm Beach will be busy. Your invitations should be mailed four months prior to your wedding date, but your Save-the-Date and wedding website information should be sent as soon as you have the date and location confirmed. Get creative! Send luggage tags as your save-the-date or a map of Palm Beach to get your guests excited. Add a list of places to go and things to see on your website.
Visit at least once before your wedding. If you can only visit once before your wedding weekend, your planner will schedule your menu tasting, floral and décor sample meeting, and other vendor meetings so you have a complete visual of the essence of your big day. This is also a great time to meet with your clergy and review the marriage license requirements.
Most importantly, take the time to be present in every moment. This is one of the most romantic events in your lives. Enjoy!
About the author:
Rackel Gehlsen, owner of RG Luxury Events, is a Palm Beach based wedding planner who specializes in destination weddings. For over 20 years, she has flawlessly curated weddings across the US and internationally, but her favorite is the community and culture of Palm Beach, Florida.
To contact Rackel Gehlsen email at rackel.gehlsen@gmail.com
If you are planning a wedding in Palm Beach, Boca Raton, or Jupiter Beach, Palm Beach Weddings Magazine is your luxury go to source for your wedding planning.
