While group travel may frighten some, others love the chance to bring their favorites together on an adventure in a fun destination (like Sarasota!)! The idea of planning a wedding with no local family or friends may excite some and scare off others. We’re here to let you know this can be a reality. Using the local wedding community and technology resources can help you plan this big event from afar!
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 every month. Therefore, they can help give you tips or a perspective you might not find from searching online.
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 will simply be a busy time to travel to that popular location.
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!
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 may not have planned to cover for everyone, 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) 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 set up and torn down all done 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!