By Gladys Pinky D. Tolete | March 2013
Out-of-town weddings are preferred by couples who prefer their wedding to be really private and intimate.
Be prepared though to take care of extra details and requirements. Here are some factors to consider:
When and Where
So far, more and more couples are getting married in Batangas, in the picturesque Caleruega church. Overlooking the mountains of Batulao, the place has been described as “heaven on earth.” When choosing your wedding destination, aside from the relative beauty and intimacy of the place, keep in mind its accessibility to your guests, and its available amenities and accommodations.
You’ve picked the place, now choose the wedding date. Check with your family and guests if they are available on your chosen date. If possible, avoid getting married on or near the town’s fiesta date or its peak or tourist season because that would mean higher prices and crowds. Take also into consideration the season or weather on your wedding date; if it would run smack into the rainy season and would make travel difficult, then maybe it’s wiser to move your date.
Guests
A maximum of 150 guests is manageable for an out-of-town wedding. Some reliable wedding planners in Manila, says, “Part of the romance of an out-of-town wedding is the size of the party. An out-of-town wedding is supposed to be intimate and private, only family and close friends ought to be invited.”
As considerable hosts, you must keep in mind the accommodations of your guests. While it does not follow that you have to pay for their accommodations, you could suggest places where they could stay. Another thoughtful gesture would be to reserve/book on their behalf. And if you could afford it, you could take care of your guests’ accommodations altogether. Keep in mind that you could readily ask for group discounts from hotels and resorts. Many of them, especially the popular destinations for out-of-town weddings, offer special wedding packages.
Make sure to include all these information in your invitations, you could also insert maps, brochures, itineraries and such if you have planned other activities for your guests.
Requirements and Suppliers
In planning an out-of-town wedding, time is of the essence. As early as possible, check with the local church for additional requirements. It could take several weeks or months to process extra requirements. If you are getting married abroad, check the marriage requirements for foreign citizensso as to ensure that your marriage is valid.
When it comes to choosing wedding suppliers for an out-of-town wedding, select on the basis of reliability and quality, where the supplier is based or located should be just a secondary consideration. Some wedding palnners suggests frequent visits to bridal fairs and checking of local supplier directories. It would be wise to ask suppliers if they’ve serviced out-of-town weddings before. After choosing your wedding suppliers, pay special attention to contracts and agreements before shelling out your hard-earned money.
If you and your betrothed are working, then it would be advisable to hire a wedding planner. Professional wedding planners can be a great help in finding affordable, reliable wedding suppliers. Just make sure that your wedding planner keeps you updated every step of the way.
As modern couples are living mobile lifestyles, they prefer out-of-town weddings because they are intimate, more private and surprisingly less hectic. Moreover, getting married in some exotic locale could mean less pre-wedding jitters because you’ll feel that you’re just on vacation! Happy planning and bon voyage!
