You, Your Boo, Your Faves, & A Beach: Planning A Destination Wedding That Feels Like A Vacation & A Fiesta

It’s giving… vacation with vows!

There’s a certain kind of special that happens when your I do comes with a side of ocean breeze and a piña colada in hand.

If you’ve been daydreaming about saying your vows with your toes in the sand, your besties by your side, and no stress in sight, we’ve got you.

Planning a destination wedding isn’t just about swapping your venue for palm trees. It’s about creating a whole experience, one that feels like a vacation for your guests and a vibe-packed celebration for you.

So, how do you turn a faraway ceremony into the getaway event of the year? Grab your sunnies, we’re diving in.

1. First Things First: Pick A Location That Matches Your Energy

Yes, the view matters. But so does the vibe.

When planning a destination wedding, ask yourself:

• Are we looking for tropical and easy-breezy?
• Rustic European wine country vibes?
• Desert disco elopement energy?

Wherever you land, choose a spot that feels like you two. Because this isn’t just a wedding; it’s your love story on vacation.

• Tropical feels: Florida Keys, Mexico, or the DR
• Adventure lovers: Colorado, Lake Como, or the Dolomites
• Chic and slow-living: California vineyards or the South of France

2. Set The Tone Early With Your Invites & Welcome Plans

Once the flights are booked and passports are ready, your guests are officially on vacation mode. Set the vibe before they even arrive.

Here’s how:

• Send out fun, detailed invites or wedding websites with all the info they’ll need: hotel recs, outfit inspo, local eats, etc.
• Plan a welcome party or cocktail hour the night before the wedding, think: rooftop drinks, beach bonfire, or taco truck meet-and-greet
• Add fun extras to their hotel welcome bags: hangover kits, local snacks, SPF, and a here’s what’s happening itinerary

It’s about creating that you’re one of our favorite people and we’re so glad you’re here energy from the start.

3. Ditch The 5-Hour Wedding Rule

You traveled all this way, so why cram everything into one day?

The beauty of planning a destination wedding is that you can stretch the celebration. Give your people time to chill and celebrate.

Here’s a sample flow:

• Day 1: Guests arrive, welcome drinks, casual dinner or mingling
• Day 2: The big day! Ceremony, reception, full-on party vibes
• Day 3: Chill brunch, pool hang, or beach picnic send-off

Add in optional excursions for the overachievers (think group hikes, sailing trips, tequila tastings), and just like that, your wedding becomes a weekend no one wants to leave.

4. Make It Personal

Here’s your permission slip to skip the generic beach wedding starter pack.

This is your chance to infuse personality into every detail.

Ideas we love:

• Custom playlists at each event (cue: emo revival for the welcome drinks, Beyoncé for the dance floor)
• Signature cocktails named after your pets
• A late-night snack bar of local eats
• Polaroid guestbooks or audio messages instead of formal sign-ins
• Temporary tattoo stations, glow-up accessories, or funky sunglasses for the party crew

Weddings are supposed to feel like you, not like you copied page 2 of someone else’s Pinterest board.

5. Choose A Planner Who Gets The Assignment

Destination weddings are dreamy… and also full of moving parts.

Flights. Language barriers. Permits. Guest shuttles. Tropical weather mood swings.

You could spend your time juggling logistics and Googling what does a beach ceremony permit cost in Tulum?

Or, you could work with a planner who makes the whole thing feel like a breeze.

WINK’s destination wedding support includes:

• Vendor connections so you’re not picking a DJ based on their Instagram captions
• Custom timelines and logistics handled with ease
• Budget help so you get the most out of every dollar
• The emotional support of a planning bestie who always has snacks and backup plans

Planning a destination wedding doesn’t have to mean chaos. With the right team, it’s more beach, less burden.

6. Wrap It Up With A Brunch (Or Boat Ride, Or Beach Yoga…)

We’re big fans of the day after moment. It’s a chance to relive the fun, hug everyone one more time, and eat carbs without a timeline.

Some low-lift, high-vibe options:

• Beachside brunch with fresh juice and a mimosa bar
• Pool party with a DJ and inflatables
• Private boat cruise or catamaran ride
• Casual picnic with local snacks and cozy blankets

It’s the final chapter of your wedding weekend love story, and we promise, it’ll be one of the parts everyone talks about for years.

So, Ready To Make It A Vibe?

Let’s recap:

You. Your boo. Your faves. A beach. A playlist. Some tacos. A champagne pop at golden hour.

Sounds like a good time, yeah?

Planning a destination wedding isn’t just about checking boxes; it’s about curating a once-in-a-lifetime, joy-filled, stress-less adventure. And we’re here to help you make it happen with confetti in one hand and your checklist in the other.

Let’s plan your vacation-meets-vows moment.

Reach out today and let’s get this fiesta started!