You have made the decision; you are going to have a destination wedding! It's all very exciting, the world is your oyster, but what do you do now? How do you start planning your destination wedding?

There are a number of factors you need to take into consideration before you begin planning your destination wedding. The most important being why you have chosen to have a destination wedding and not a wedding at home. What are the main factors motivating your decision, for example, is it to save money, time, or eliminate stress? Or do you simply want to put your personal stamp on the occasion?

Once you've established this turn your thoughts to the type and style of wedding you would like and how much involvement you would like to have in its planning. Would you like a small intimate affair or a grand occasion? Do you want it to be traditional or adventurous?

Your answers to these questions will have a bearing on how you should plan your destination wedding and whether you should use a Tour Operator, Wedding Planner or plan your wedding yourself. Each option caters for subtly different wants and needs and has both its advantages and disadvantages.

If you are planning to have a small destination wedding and do not want to spend your time worrying about the "little details" that go hand in hand with planning a wedding at home, and value for money and keeping costs low is one of your main priorities, then using a Tour Operator may be the perfect choice for you.

If you would like to have a unique wedding that reflects your individual style and personality or be involved in the decision making processes but not the hands on planning then using a Wedding Planner may be your best option.

Alternatively if you think you would enjoy the challenge of planning a wedding in a foreign country or break into a cold sweat at the mere thought of handing the responsibility over to someone else, then planning your own destination wedding could be your perfect choice. Many couples have successfully planned their own destination wedding and it is not as daunting as it may first seem.

Once you have decided which option you wish to pursue be sure to investigate a good selection of providers. Properly researching the options and services available to you will provide you comfort in the knowledge that you have chosen the right partner or partners to work with, after all it is your wedding day and you shouldn't settle for second best.

With careful research and planning you will be able to plan a wedding that is unique, a wedding that is distinctive, a wedding that surpasses all your expectations and is the talk of the town for years to come.

© Copyright Natalie Wingrove