I’ve been photographing luxury destination weddings for fifteen years. I’ve seen it all. From small and intimate affairs to lavish multiday celebrations with 200+ guests. No matter what kind of bride I’ve connected with, one of my first questions is always “Do you have a planner?”. Some brides opt out, saying they’ve got plenty of help from friends or family. If you ask me, here’s three reasons you NEED a planner for your destination wedding.
1. You don’t know, what you don’t know.
From obtaining the required documents to get married in a foreign country, or what laws you must follow pertaining to your ceremony, no one knows better than your planner. Don’t assume that everything is the same across the world. Did you know that you can’t be legally married in The Bahamas after sunset? A locally based professional is the best person to advise you on things that may not have even crossed your mind
2. They have the connections
Planners have closely worked with an arsenal of industry professionals for years. They know who would be the best photographer, DJ, florist, etc. for your vision (and your budget). Those special requests that you’d have no idea how to arrange? They’ll get it done. Skip the hours wasted calling and emailing back and forth between vendors. Let someone else do the ground work while you focus on the rest.
3. Savor YOUR day
The biggest piece of advice I give to my couples is: take it all in. It’s over even faster than you think. These moments- your first look, walking down the isle, your first dance- absolutely cannot be interrupted by you tracking down vendors, organizing, and stressing. You’ve put too much time and energy into all these details to not have a moment to experience it.
In all my years in the industry, there are a few planners that stand out. Here are my top picks for the best planners in The Bahamas:
Marva of Chic Bahamas Weddings
We worked together on weddings like Jess & Chris’ Exuma sandbank wedding
D’Vanya of Aced Affairs
We worked together on weddings like Masha & Josh’s Lyford Cay wedding
Araxie of LDF Events Bahamas
We worked together on weddings like Mia & Chandler’s wedding
All three of these planners provide exceptional service, and go above and beyond for their clients. The level of professionalism and attention they provide to each of their clients raises the bar so high. I’m confident you will have nothing to worry about in their care. They will erase every doubt in your mind about why you need a planner for your destination wedding!
If you’re truly not interested in hiring a wedding planner to take over everything, your next best option is a day-of coordinator. Here’s the difference between the two:
