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. However, marrying the person of your dreams in this town you love is completely achievable!
Planning Your Out-of-Town Wedding with No Local Family
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 perhaps mom, siblings, the maid-of-honor, or other wedding party members. 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 to familiarize yourself with the area. Try to locate places like coffee shops, salons, bars, or restaurants, that you can 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. By doing so, you can meet with vendors when they’re not working other weekend events.
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 that nearly everyone has to travel for, it’s better to send your save the dates on the earlier end of the suggestion, around 8 months before. We suggest sending them 8 or even 9 months ahead of time if the weekend is a holiday weekend, or if it’s a busy time to travel to that location.
Offer Transportation
If your out-of-town guests are having to travel across town for your wedding events, it might be a great perk to offer them transportation.
While booking transportation can be an extra cost, you can save costs by using the same bus or shuttle for multiple trips. This is especially true if your ceremony and reception are in the same location (or at least walking distance). The transportation can take guests to the ceremony (perhaps in multiple waves) and, afterward, take you and your wedding party to a special location to take wedding photos during a cocktail hour. Then, finally, it can take everyone back to the hotel at the end of the event.
Rent Your Decor
Finding decor you can rent that can be set up by the rental company, will make decorating a breeze! This way, you’re not stuck with setting it up or having to travel with it after your event. Complete Weddings + Events offers uplighting that will transform your reception space to your preferred ambiance. This hassle-free option is all set up and torn down by our Complete team!
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.