Party Over Here!!!

Over the past couple of years, one of the most popular trend in events has become the destination event.  Whether it is a wedding or corporate function, more and more people are beginning to travel abroad to celebrate.

Is a destination event right for you?
If you are considering a destination event there are a few things to consider before you even begin to plan:

• Logistics: Will your location work for your invitees.   If your company has international offices, going abroad may be the only way to include all your major players.  For upcoming nuptials, if your friends and family are coming from all corners of the earth, one central location may work better for you.

• Desire to travel: It has always been your dream to marry on a beach in the Caribbean or your boss always talks about how the best skiing only happens in Aspen. 

• Wish to be in a location of significance: Trying to encourage a team atmosphere in the office, why not visit any one of the many monuments in the US dedicated to the teamwork of many.  Paris is always referred to as the city of love, so who wouldn't want to be married there.

• Costs:  Is it feasible for you and your invitees?

Once you have considered all these things, it is time to get started.  Your planning should be broken into 5 phases:

Phase 1
Gather and assess your objective thoughts, desires, priorities, finances and human resources.  Start designing your dreams by making some preliminary decisions about size, style, budget and other basic event elements.

Phase 2
Begin to collect as much information as possible to decide on a destination.  If money  and time allow, travel to your top  choices.

Phase 3
By now you have decided on a location and really start getting into the meat and potatoes of planning.  This is where travel, accommodations, guest considerations and menus start to come into.  You need to select vendors as well.

Phase 4
Now is the time for confirmation.   Make sure your  T's are crossed and your i's are dotted.  Get everything in writing and follow up!

Phase 5
As the date draws closer, make sure you have a coordinator to keep everything running smoothly on the day or days of the event.

For more information on destination events, check out Destination Bride by Lisa Light.  Although the book focuses on weddings, the information can be easily adapted  to other destination events.

Until next time, happy planning!
Kandice