Q. I'm planning a destination wedding. Should I work with a planner who is located in my home town or one located at the destination?

A. I do not think there is a right or wrong answer to this question. Many couples would prefer to work with a planner who is in their local area because they feel that they will have more access to the planner for in-person meetings that will ensure a better understanding of the destination wedding process and perfect execution of their wedding vision. If the couple wants the planner to attend the wedding to ensure full execution of their vision and a smooth flow of their wedding, the couple would be responsible for paying for the planner's travel expenses, as well as their planning and coordination fees for services.

While working with the destination wedding planner will not incur travel costs, the couple would still incur some expenses, i.e. long distance and international call charges and perhaps additional travel costs to visit the site and meet with the planner. Because of the volume of weddings held at popular wedding destinations, some couples feel that they may not get the personalized time or attention from the destination planner. However, the destination planner is familiar with the local marriage laws, customs and wedding vendors and will be able to easily navigate you through the planning process.

There are many local planners who specialize in planning destination weddings in popular destinations, i.e. Jamaica, Antigua, Barbados and other Caribbean destinations, as well as Italy, France and London. These planners will be able to work with you locally, but will also work with the destination planner and vendors to plan your destination wedding and execute your vision.

Planning a destination is not an easy task, and I would recommend hiring a wedding planner to help you through the process. Planning a wedding can be stressful, but planning a destination wedding – especially if it is out of the country – can be very stressful if you have no one to guide you through the process. Know your preferences and budget to determine which planner best fits your needs.

Q. Is it less expensive for me to get married at a destination venue or to get married at home?

A. The answer to that question is not simple. However, I have found that there is not much difference in the cost per person for a destination wedding or a local wedding. The savings occur from the number of guests attending. Most of the time, a couple will feel obligated to invite more people to their local wedding than to a destination wedding. Usually, the number of guests who are able to attend a destination wedding is much lower than a local one. Due to the travel and lodging costs or inflexible schedules, many invited guests may not be able to attend; thereby giving you a smaller number of guests for which you have to pay, thus reducing your overall costs.

Q. How many days should I ask my guests to stay for our destination wedding?

A. Attending a destination wedding is an expense for your guests, so the decision on the number of days requested for their stay at the destination location should be totally up to them. However, some Caribbean resorts do require a minimum stay of three days for wedding guests.

Q. My fiancé and I do not consume alcohol. Do we have to serve alcoholic beverages at our wedding?

A. You do not have to have alcohol at your wedding if you choose not to do so. There are many non-alcoholic drinks that can be served. However, if you decide, for the sake of your guests, to serve alcohol, you can limit your bar by serving a signature drink or by serving wine only. The choice is totally up to you.

Q. Does my wedding planner have to be certified or have industry credentials?

A. No, your wedding planner does not need to be certified or have industry credentials. However, the certification, professional designation, and industry credentials proves that the planner has met specific training, testing and other requirements and are accountable to the organization that provided the certification or designation, and usually must abide by a code of ethics to maintain that designation or certification.

Q. I enjoy planning my wedding and I have a good idea of the vendors that I want to use. Do I need a wedding planner for the day of the wedding?

A. It is always good to have a professional wedding planner on the day of the wedding to execute your plans. Most planners need to meet with you and finalize wedding details at least a month prior to the wedding, but their focus will be on the day of the wedding. Having a planner will allow you to enjoy your wedding day and relieve family and friends from having to “work” at your wedding.

Q. Is there another way to signify the uniting of our families other than lighting the unity candle?

A. There are several traditions that can be used to signify the uniting of families. There is the Blessing of the Hands, the Sand Ceremony, and the Rose Dedication to the Mothers. Some couples are incorporating the Blessing Tree as part of their wedding ceremony. Following the exchange of vows and rings, special guests are invited to place a blessing (or poetry, personal note, religious passage or quote) on a small, live or imitation tree.

Q. I decided to meet with several wedding planners before making a final decision on hiring one. However, I find that there is a huge difference in the fees that they charge for the services they render. Why?

A. In this area, there are many wedding planners with different levels of experience and expertise. Some are part-time while others are full-time. Some have many years of experience while others are new to the industry. Some specialize in wedding planning while others do not. Some have more overhead than others. Even though many of the planners may use the same terminology when describing their wedding packages, i.e. day of wedding coordination, partial and full service, most often the duties and responsibilities vary with each planner, coordinator or designer.

You are taking the right steps in interviewing several planners to see if you find one who not only fits your budget, but who is also someone you believe has the passion, personality, experience, and creativity to meet your needs.