Having a destination wedding has become increasingly popular among Australians and couples the world over. With help from the right destination wedding planner, you can enjoy crafting the perfect wedding day without having to travel there in advance, and without feeling out of control and stressed; you get access to trusted local vendors and they’ll provide you with advice and recommendations that fit with your budget and vision.
With Covid-19 restrictions Whitsunday wedding venues have suffered this year, losing out on national and international couples who wish to get married away from home. If you’re a Queensland bride-to-be however, you can consider yourself lucky as the stunning Whitsundays are just a short plane ride away. Tying the knot at a Whitsunday wedding venue looks like the best option for Queensland couples looking to trade their local venue options for a dream destination wedding venue in the coming year.
However stunning an Airlie Beach wedding may be, couples often feel like they have less control on wedding planning when the venue is away from home and are therefore somewhat put off, despite the numerous attractive qualities.
Through hiring a professional expert destination wedding planner you can put your stresses and concerns aside, the simple trick is finding the right planner for you!
Top Tips on How to Find a Great Destination Wedding Planner:
Jennifer Treloar Photography
– If you’ve got a venue in mind ask them what planners they work with. Judge those planners on how they communicated with clients and vendors, their organisation and management skills, and their overall professionalism.
– Use social media sites to do your own research, see what other couples have done and check out who was the planner behind that big day.
– Look for testimonials from real wedding guests and couples, read what couples have said about their planners. You’ll want to feel confident that you are dealing with a planner you can trust.
Set up a call with your prospective planner about what the vision is for your wedding. Many can put together an attractive wedding but you need a problem-solver who knows how to mediate.
For excellent wedding planning support and an overall flawlessly planned destination wedding, make sure you ask your prospective destination wedding planner these 12 essential questions:
1. Are you specialised in destination weddings?
Make sure to find a planner or coordinator that actually specialises in destination weddings. Nobody wants to have to make decisions on vendors and seating arrangements blindly over the phone, miles away from the location. You need a trusted expert on hand to take care of it all for you. Ask them about the destination weddings they have planned so far and how they overcame any challenges they faced.
If a specialised planner isn’t in your budget, look for a resort with a strong on-site coordinator. This solution is more cost-effective compared to paying for a planner separately. This type of planner will also have valuable experience with that specific venue so they can guide you in creating a flawless day.
2. Are you a local planner?
Destination weddings attract all kinds of vendors and wedding service providers, but not all of these people are very knowledgeable about the resort, local catering and other wedding services, etc. Hire a planner who knows the location very well so they can recommend you the best local vendors, activities, and venues. Without insider information certain points may be overlooked, casting a shadow on your big day.
3. What packages would be best for me to consider?
Too shy to ask about prices? You don’t have to. Instead of asking how much you need to pay for the services of a wedding planning Qld professional, ask them about their packages and what they cover. You will avoid feeling awkward and you will be getting more useful information at the same time. Often you will find that package deals coordinated by a planner will be more cost-effective and fitting to your budget. Make use of your planners links and local knowledge – they will likely source the best deal for your budget. This brings us onto…
4. What discounts can I receive through you?
If you are not sure where to start or how much you should be paying for various wedding services, be sure to ask your planner directly. Friends who have just got married may not be completely honest with you and wedding websites can lie or have hidden costs too. If you want to make sure you are not working with unrealistic numbers in your head, or you’re avoiding a wedding day over-splurge, ask about the discounts that the wedding planner can give you access to.
5. Do you receive a commission?
Hiring a wedding planner means you will be gaining valuable access to insights from a wedding industry professional, allowing you to collaborate with the best vendors for your wedding day. Many clients wonder if they have to use the vendors recommended by wedding planners. It is important that your planner provides you with options when it comes to selecting vendors. Working with recommended vendors is more efficient because you don’t need to spend time searching for other vendors on your own.
6. What has been your favourite wedding moment so far?
Wondering if you and this wedding planner are a match when it comes to organising your day at your destination wedding venue? Ask them about their fondest memories since becoming a planner, it will help you establish who they are and learn what exactly it is they love about what they do. Get to know your prospective destination wedding planner before you commit, it’s likely you will figure out whether they are a good fit for you or not early on in the research stage.
7. How many clients do you take per year and per month?
A number that is too small suggests the wedding planner does not really focus on wedding planning as their main profession. A number too large shows that he or she may be trying to juggle too many weddings just to earn more and not paying enough attention to each event. You need someone who is experienced and not overloading themselves, so they can devote sufficient time and experience to your big day.
8. Can you help me stay on a budget?
This question does not mean that you are looking for a cheap destination wedding planner; you are simply being a sensible couple. You need someone who is money-savvy and can tell you when and where to increase your budget and also where it is possible to lower costs without compromising on the success and quality of the event. While it may be tempting to buy luxury services on occasion of your wedding, the best thing is to keep in mind other expenses you may have after tying the knot, such as paying for a new home or vehicle, you don’t want to start your marriage with extra, unnecessary stress.
9. How do we keep in touch with you?
Knowing the availability of your destination wedding planner is crucial when you are organising a destination wedding such as an Airlie beach wedding. You will want to be in constant communication with your wedding planner in the months leading up to the big day, so you want to know how and when you can reach them. Ask them if they prefer to be called, emailed, or texted, or a combination of the above. Thankfully technology allows for virtual tours and more hands-on, face-to-face input without having to actually physically be there.
10. What happens in case of emergency?
As with most things, when it comes to planning you need to hope for the best and prepare for the worst. Your chosen wedding planner should have a well thought out backup plan in case anything goes wrong – like sending another trusted wedding planner with access to their work and data in case of sickness or personal emergency.
All these questions are aimed at securing a wedding planner that you feel you can trust, especially when you can’t go to and from the venue as you please. A planner that knows what you want, communicates effectively and knows all the best vendors to ensure your day is perfect.
Villa Botanica provides their own wedding planning services and will assign you a dedicated wedding planner from day one. Our experienced destination wedding planner will take you through what to expect and will present the entire planning process; we’ve crafted countless unforgettable and unique weddings already.
The first step towards making your wedding dream come true is contacting our expert destination wedding planner. Contact us online and ask any questions you might have about your destination wedding today.
