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, getting married in this town you love is completely achievable!
Planning An Out-of-Town Wedding
Consider a Coordinator
When planning a wedding with no local family or friends in the area, a wedding coordinator will soon feel like family! A local wedding coordinator is going to help you (and save you time) immensely in ways you may never realize. And it’s worth it! The coordinator will tour the venue and organize all your vendors (plus give you stellar referrals they’ve vetted). Trust them with your must-have list. If you’re unable to make a trip to your location before the wedding, a coordinator can also be the perfect solution to have some boots on the ground fighting for your wedding day vision!
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.
Utilize Technology
When distance is in the way, technology is your friend! 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!). This will 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!
Keep Venues & Accommodations in One Area
Having a hotel block or two close to the venue will be essential for out-of-town weddings! But you’ll also save you and guests some hassle if you can book your rehearsal dinner location, wedding venue, and hotel block all within walking distance or ideally the same area of town. If your hotel has a shuttle to the airport, even better! This will cut down on taxi, Uber, or Lyft costs for everyone involved!
Offer Transportation
Keeping your wedding rehearsal, ceremony, and reception close in proximity to each other might be easier said than done. 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. Especially 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). Afterward, they can take you and your wedding party to a special location to take wedding photos during a cocktail hour. Finally, it can take everyone back to the hotel at the end of the event.
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.