Destination weddings are now the preferred choice for the vast majority of Indians. The demand for palace weddings in Udaipur, shooting on a beach in Goa and resort stays in Kerala is incredibly high. It’s easy to see why. What isn’t as clear, until you get into the wedding planning process, is just how much more complicated a destination wedding is. In fact the right planner is often the most critical decision in this phase in India more than anywhere else.
We have prepared this guide to help you understand how to select a destination wedding planner in India, what you can expect through this process and how other couples have fallen short without the appropriate support.
Why Special Destination Wedding Planners are Needed
A planner who can excellently manage Delhi weddings will not necessarily be adept at organizing destination weddings in Udaipur or Goa. Destination weddings have their own particular logistics, such as:
- Guest travel management and accommodation block bookings at multiple hotels or resorts
- Locating vendors in the destination with whom the planner has no link
- Navigating the various local laws pertaining to permits and nuisance
- Managing the logistics of multi-day events involving setup, breakdown, and facilitation of different activities at various sites
- Drafting weather contingency plans for events, especially monsoon-related outdoor activities
The best destination wedding planners in India have made wedding logistics teams and preferred vendors in the wedding hotspots rather than trying to coordinate everything from a central location.
What Top Indian Destination Wedding Planners Actually Manage
Venue Selection and Booking
Destination wedding venues such as (for example) palaces, resorts, and heritage havelis, have their own unique methodology with respect to booking policies and negotiation. An experienced destination wedding planner understands venues which offer true exclusivity, venues which have hidden vendor restrictions or timing constraints, and how to properly negotiate the rates and deals for multi-day bookings.
Guest Management
This is where the destination weddings are most different from local weddings. This includes booking flights and transfers, block bookings at hotels and resorts, welcome kits, and guest itineraries for hundreds of guests. Destination wedding planners in India manage this from end to end by partnering with travel booking desks and local transport services.
Design That Works With Environment, Not Against It
Designing a wedding in Rajasthan and designing a wedding in Goa will yield very different results. Different elements of architecture and lighting will be used in combination with local handicrafts to develop different looks. The goal of an amazing destination wedding planner is to use location design inspiration throughout the development of the wedding rather than using the same decor around the world.
On-site Execution Teams
As execution teams are typically located away from the planned wedding location, top planners send dedicated execution teams to the location ahead of time to set up and manage last minute challenges as well as organization of the various wedding vendors. This is done as opposed to relying solely on local sub-contractors who they have no experience with.
Popular Destination Wedding Locations in India
Some regions have established a reputation for hosting destination weddings as unique as the celebrations themselves:
- Udaipur & Rajasthan – Palace & heritage-fort weddings featuring those regal vibes
- Goa – Relaxed beach & villa weddings with a fun tropical style
- Kerala – Backwater & resort weddings with nature’s lush tropical beauty
- Jaipur – A vibrant combination of rich heritage architecture & styling
The venue sets the mood before a single flower is placed – choosing the right location, and the right planner for that location, is half the design work.
Costs Associated with Destination Weddings in India
The central cost drivers of a destination wedding in India include the location chosen, the expected number of guests and the number of functions. Beyond the central cost drivers, couples should factor in other costs not associated with weddings in their home city, like providing a travel subsidy or group booking discount for guests, the added costs of travel and stay for wedding vendors, and a flexible travel budget, as there is always a risk of last-minute changes. A responsible destination wedding planner maps out these costs at the proposal stage, rather than waiting until the planning stage.
How SMLW India Approaches Destination Weddings
SMLW India specializes in regional weddings across the top wedding destinations in India with dedicated teams and established vendors in each region, as opposed to a one-stop planner in Delhi. We take an in-depth approach to our planning process based on the style and flair of the wedding destination, to make each wedding design feel like it belongs there. From the first site visit to the last, each element of our planning process takes into account the style of the destination and the architecture, the local craftsmanship, and, most importantly, the logistics associated with the destination to make a wedding feel like it belongs there.
If you’re interested in wedding planners in India, we would love the chance to discuss our past work in your favorite wedding destinations, and describe the wedding planning journey for you.
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