| Imaginative planning of a Caribbean destination | | | | or take the conventional route and book the ceremony |
| wedding is the key to a fabulous wedding day that | | | | and reception venues first and then deciding on your |
| you will never forget. A destination wedding is | | | | invitation list. There is something to be said for each |
| frequently more difficult to plan than a home town | | | | with a Caribbean destination wedding since you don't |
| wedding since you will normally be doing it from a | | | | want to book a large venue if only a few can travel to |
| distance, but with a bit of imagination and creativity | | | | the Caribbean. A compromise could be a beach |
| then that can work to your advantage. | | | | wedding that, in that part of the world, can be a truly |
| The fact you are not able to physically check up on | | | | fabulous experience. The beach can also |
| the venues for the ceremony and the reception will | | | | accommodate as many or as few as you required. |
| give you more time to concentrate on what needs to | | | | If your family is wealthy then you will be able to invite |
| be done from your end. If you take the option of | | | | whoever you want, but most young couples who |
| employing a professional wedding planner to run things | | | | want a Caribbean wedding cannot cover their guests |
| from the destination end, and you to deal with your | | | | traveling or accommodation costs. You will then only |
| end of the arrangements, then that is wedding planning | | | | want to invite those that you know can attend, since |
| at its best. | | | | otherwise you might be afraid of being seen as issuing |
| However, many brides prefer to do it all themselves, | | | | invitations only to get wedding gifts. |
| although a certain amount of local knowledge is | | | | You will likely be doing your family and friends a |
| generally needed. You could compromise and hire | | | | disservice by thinking that way, but it is difficult not to. |
| somebody to keep the legalities right and look after | | | | Your family and true friends will buy you a present |
| both the arrangements for the ceremony and | | | | whether they can attend or not, but this is another |
| reception venues, and also any tours or entertainment | | | | thing you have to plan for. A good way out of this |
| needed for your guests during the run-up to the big | | | | dilemma is to invite only your closest family and friends |
| day itself | | | | that you know will come with you to the Caribbean, |
| A Caribbean destination wedding is not too difficult to | | | | and then have a celebration after the honeymoon, the |
| plan since most people understand the legal issues | | | | invitations for which can be sent to everybody prior to |
| involved in getting married in most of the Caribbean | | | | the wedding. |
| countries. However, it is still wise to make sure of what | | | | Assuming that your venues have been decided and |
| is required before you can marry. There are many | | | | booked, and that you are aware of all of the legal |
| countries where you need a week or two of | | | | obligations that you have to make prior to arriving at |
| residence before you can be married, and it is always | | | | the resort or island of your choice, there is little left for |
| a good idea to make sure that no laws have been | | | | you to do. However, a bit of imagination on your part |
| changed or amended since you last checked. | | | | could make the experience even better for your |
| Imaginative planning, then, starts off by you deciding | | | | guests who have taken the trouble to travel all that |
| where in the Caribbean you want to be married, and | | | | way with you. If your guest list is very limited, provide |
| then confirming the legal requirements of the country | | | | them with a tour of the island, or a dinner or party the |
| or island concerned. If you want a beach wedding you | | | | night before the ceremony as a 'than you' for joining |
| might or might not need permission, but now is the time | | | | you on your special day. |
| to find out, not when you arrive there. You should then | | | | Planning a Caribbean destination wedding seems |
| decide whether or not to employ a coordinator to help | | | | daunting at first, but these islands are so used to |
| you. | | | | weddings that they practically run themselves. If you |
| The next step is whether you determine the number | | | | use your imagination you can provide yourself and |
| traveling with you before booking the reception venue, | | | | your guests with a wedding to remember for ever. |