Blog « joyologie

Mar

2011

Book a Site Visit for your Destination Wedding

Posted by: Lindsey

Filed In: Destination Wedding Tips, Wedding Planning Tips

This will be a quick tip, but an incredibly important one. It is critical, critical that you visit the location of your destination wedding before you book it. In fact, we require it as part of our destination wedding planning service.

There are too many stories of couples being absolutely disappointed with the hotel or venue upon arrival for the wedding. Scouring the internet for reviews and pictures is not enough when you’re talking about a day that’s so important to you and your fiance. You HAVE to plan a site visit to see for yourself what the venue actually looks like. Pictures certainly don’t tell you the whole truth.

Your visit doesn’t have to be long, just a couple of days, but you will not regret it. If you can’t make it, ask your parents to go. And if you’re working with a destination wedding planner, he or she will make the trip too.

Mar

2011

What Types of Events Should I Plan on for my Destination Wedding?

Posted by: Lindsey

Filed In: Destination Wedding Tips, Destination Weddings, Wedding Planning Tips

(Via Luxury Giga Yachts)

The specifics all depend on the location of your destination wedding, but in general, joyologie recommends hosting a couple of different events for your guests during their stay. The key, though, is not to schedule so many events that guests feel overwhelmed or that they have no free time to just hang out and relax. Aside from your rehearsal dinner and the wedding itself, I would suggest that you plan two other events.

After traveling to the location of your destination wedding, guests really appreciate attending a Welcome Party the evening of their arrival. Guests don’t have to worry about where to eat that night or what to do. It’s a great way to have guests mingle with each other and start the wedding weekend off right. This doesn’t have to be a full out formal sit-down dinner either. Heavy hors d’oeuvers, a station or two and cocktails are all that’s needed. The other organized event I’d suggest doing is some sort of activity. Are you getting married in Italy? How about a wine tasting tour? Getting married in Anguilla? Try chartering a boat for the day of sailing and snorkeling.

Mar

2011

Destination Wedding Planning + Photography Give Away

Posted by: Lindsey

Filed In: Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Tips, Destination Weddings, NYC Wedding Photographer, travel, Wedding Planning Tips

With just about two weeks left in our Destination Wedding March Madness blogging, we thought this would be the prefect time for a massive give-away for those of you planning destination weddings. What are we giving away? One lucky couple planning a Caribbean destination wedding will be chosen to receive Destination Wedding Planning services by joyologie PLUS photography by one of New York City’s top wedding photographers. Who that is is our little secret, but believe me, he is incredible. You will not be disappointed.

So here’s what you need to do to enter (it’s pretty easy). To be considered, send your answers to the following questions to joyologie via info {at} joyologie {dot} com or use the form here. So tell your friends and enter!
•   Couple’s Names
•   Date and Location of Wedding
•   Overall Wedding Budget
•   Number of Guests Expected
•   Brief description on how you two met
•   Why did you choose a Destination Wedding?
•   How would you describe the style, look and feel of your wedding?

The fine print: joyologie will providing planning and design services for the wedding weekend. joyologie requires at least one site visit to the destination location prior to the wedding weekend. The photographer will photograph the wedding only. Other events requiring photography, prints, albums and other photography items are not included in this contest and are additional. Your wedding must be held by December 31, 2011 and in the Caribbean. All expenses for joyologie and the photographer (including travel — airfare, hotel accommodations and meals) are additional and must be paid by the winning couple. At least two team members from joyologie and two team members from the photography studio are required to be present during the wedding weekend. All other vendors required are to be paid by the winning couple. No other services are to be included in this contest. Contest ends April 15, 2011.

Mar

2011

Hiring a Videographer for your Destination Wedding

Posted by: Lindsey

Filed In: Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Tips, Destination Weddings, NYC Wedding Photographer, Photography Tips, travel, Wedding Planning Tips

(Via Wedding Reports)

Earlier in the month we talked about the benefits of hiring a photographer here in the US and flying him or her to wherever you’re planning on having your destination wedding. Well, the same applies for your videographer as well. We highly suggest finding a videographer here in the US, local to you is probably better but not necessary. This gives you the ability to meet with him or her before and after your wedding, but this also ensures that the DVD, for example, you ultimately get will be compatible with the DVD players here at home. It would not be a pretty picture if you weren’t able to actually watch the footage of your wedding, now would it. If you do hire a videographer local to your destination, be sure to ask about compatibility.

Mar

2011

Catering Tips for your Destination Wedding — Use Local Food

Posted by: Lindsey

Filed In: Destination Wedding Tips, Destination Weddings, Wedding Planning Tips

(Via The Best Healthy Foods)

This probably goes without saying, but it’s especially true when you’re planning a destination wedding — use local foods and dishes on your wedding reception menu. If you’re in Grand Cayman, include Conch on the menu. In London, have Fish and Chips during cocktail hour. Getting married in Thailand, why not use some of the fresh fruits that you can’t readily get here in the US? (I loved the rambutans and mangosteens while I was there. Just don’t use Durian — the smell will not go over well).

Another way to bring in local flavors is to work with your destination wedding planner to scout out local restaurants and chefs. Ask the restaurant or chef would be willing to do a station during cocktail hour or to cater your entire reception. By using foods from the area, you’re not only bringing in local flavors, but giving your guests a little tour through the country through taste.