Whether it was your college town, hometown, or just a special city you’ve fallen in love with, your heart might be set on getting married in a town you longer live in or you’ve only visited before. The bustling city could be appealing, or maybe it’s the town’s remoteness and bright, twinkling stars at night, your romantic location can be the spot where you tie the knot! Planning a wedding with no local family in the area can sound ambitious, but getting married in this town you love is completely achievable!
Planning Your Out-of-Town Wedding
Start here for tips on planning a wedding with no local family, friends, or inside help!
Make A Trip of It
If you’re able to, visit the destination three to ten months before the big day! Plan a special couple’s getaway with your fiance or grab the planning crew, (mom, siblings, or bridesmaids). Make a weekend out of enjoying the city, meeting with vendors, and getting a better visual of your ceremony and reception venue, hotel, and rehearsal dinner locations. Stay near your wedding venue or stay at the hotel you suggest for guests to familiarize yourself with the area. You might find a few places, like coffee shops, salons, bars, or restaurants, that would be great to utilize on the big day or night.
When planning this weekend well in advance, you should be able to give your vendors enough notice to plan for a meeting while you’re there. This way, you can knock out a ton of planning in one long weekend! If you are doing a weekend trip, you may want to arrive early on Thursday or stay through Monday to meet with vendors when they’re not working other weekend events.
Get Referrals from Local Vendors
While preparing to reserve your wedding vendors, gather as much advice as you can from them. Pick their brain on any questions about the area you may have. Get local vendors’ suggestions on other wedding vendors they’ve worked well with that offer services you haven’t booked yet. These venue managers, photographers, caterers, decorators, and DJs most likely work multiple events in the area month. Therefore, they can help give you tips or a perspective you might not find from searching online.
Utilize Technology
When distance is in the way, technology is your friend! When scheduling appointments with your vendors, ask if you can set up a video call on Zoom, FaceTime, or another video chat app they may prefer. You will gain a face to the name and benefit from the visual cues (and smiles!) to help you feel more familiar with your wedding day vendor partner. You’ll feel that much more friendly and familiar when you can finally meet them!
Send Save The Dates Earlier
Typically save the dates are sent around 5-8 months before the wedding. (Regular wedding invites sent 6-8 weeks before.) With a wedding with no local family or friends in town, it’s better to send save the dates around 8 months before. We suggest sending them 8 or even 9 months ahead of time if the weekend is a holiday weekend or a busy time to travel to that popular location.
Multiple Services to Make it Easy
Does fewer calls and contacts (plus more savings and services) sound splendid? Complete Weddings + Events offers multiple services to make it easy when wedding planning from near or far! View our locations at completewedo.com/locations and contact complete for information on our event services for your special day.