Step-by-step Guide for Planning your Dream Indian Destination Wedding

While getting married in your hometown might be convenient for you as well as your family and friends, there is nothing like a destination wedding! Have you always dreamt about tying the knot with your beloved with your feet sunk in the sand and the wind blowing through your hair? If the answer is yes, you’re reading just the right article. True, planning a destination wedding requires more time and effort as compared to getting hitched in your hometown, but it is completely worth all the time, money and sweat you put in!

Here’s a step-by-step guide that will help you plan your dream destination wedding like a pro.

Step #1 - Determine what kind of a wedding you want and shortlist a destination

Do you want to have a tropical beach wedding or do you want to tie the knot at a ski resort? Just because most people choose to get married by the beach, it doesn’t have to be your only option. If you love the sun, sea and sand concept, you can always opt for a beach wedding. However, if you’re into archaeology and ancient ruins, you can choose a historical site as the venue for your dream wedding. While you’re at it, check out the weather and season of your shortlisted location.

Step #2 - Determine your budget

Here, you need to determine two separate budgets. The first will include the wedding events that you and your partner will be paying for and the second is the amount your guests will have to shell out to be a part of your dream wedding. Therefore, it is best to select a resort that is easy and economical to get to as your guests will be bearing their travel expense as well as the cost of their stay. You can always choose to get married at an all-inclusive resort as these places offer Resort Group Contract Benefits on bulk bookings.

Step #3 - Book a resort that offers group discounts

Since your guests will be paying for their airfare and lodging, you can lighten their load by picking an all-inclusive resort that offers amazing group discounts. For instance, several resorts in the Caribbean offer Resort Group Contract Benefits that have many great deals that everyone can enjoy. Most Resorts like Hard Rock Hotels and Palace Resorts offer a plethora of extras on group contracts including complimentary nights of stay as well as credit to avail in-house facilities.

Step #4 - Organize your guest list

Since you’re hosting a destination wedding, there is less pressure on you to extend an invitation to your co-workers, acquaintances, extended family and in general, people you’re not close to. Keep your guest list anywhere between 75-100 people as not everyone you invite will be willing to pay for the airfare and stay to attend your wedding. Once you’ve got the guest list sorted, it’s time to let people know that you’re getting married!

Step #5 - Let people know

As soon as you’ve determined the date and location of your destination wedding, you need to let your guests know so they can start booking their flight tickets and make arrangements for their stay. Also, by informing your guests about your destination wedding plans much in advance, you can expect their RSVPs soon after which can help you determine the total head count and you can always invite some others in place of people who cannot make it.

Step #6 - Determine the scale of your wedding

Do you want it to be a two-day affair where your guests fly in on a Saturday and fly out the very next day? Or do you want it to be a five-day elaborate affair with sangeet, mehendi, cocktail party and other such events? The scale of your wedding will depend upon your budget for it. If you’re not careful, your small destination wedding can easily turn into a big wedding that will cost you way more than a local wedding. Remember, one of the best ways to save money on a destination wedding is to use local vendors.

Step #7 - Get help

Planning a destination wedding is no easy feat and hence you should take all the help you can get. If your destination wedding venue is offering you the services of a wedding planner, you should jump on the offer. This is because having someone local look into the minor and major details of your wedding, right from the décor to the menu, will cut your stress into half. Also, they’ll be in a position to recommend you the best local vendors and they’ll also be able to inform you about important local laws you need to know.

Step #8 - Plan a visit

Your wedding is the most important event of your life and trust us when we say this, you don’t want to go in blind! Always plan a visit to the location after you’ve shortlisted your destination and hired a wedding planner. By doing this, you can make sure that the location not only accommodates your needs and guest count, but it also helps you get a sense of what your wedding will look like. This way, when you’re planning your décor and menu from afar, you’ll know exactly what you want and how it’ll turn out.


Whether you decide to get hitched on the shores of Hawaii or in a stunning ski-resort in Mexico, keep the above-mentioned guide in mind while planning your destination wedding and everything will fall into place just fine!