When two of the most revered wedding industry experts put together a book, you just know it is going to be not only a hit...but also VERY helpful! Alison Hotchkiss is the owner/creative director of Alison Events, a wedding & event planning company that specializes in high-end destination weddings. Thayer Allyson Gowdy is one of the most sought after wedding photographers and took the photographs for this amazing book/planner.
Alison was kind enough to give us some of her top insider tips to couples planning a destination wedding...
1. In lui of favors pay it forward and offset peoples carbon footprint by purchasing everyones carbon footprint to travel to the destination. TerraPass can calculate this for you.
2. Arrive at your destination a week early, sunbathe, read a book, get massages and be totally relaxed for when your guests arrive. If you are relaxed, they will be relaxed.
3. Ship all your items to your destination two weeks in advance to ensure they get there on time and ship as much as you can so you don't have to carry it all. Programs, welcome agendas and bags/items, cocktail napkins. If shipping somewhere like the caribbean make sure you work with an importer/exporter as they can ease the process and ensure your items arrive ok.
4. Instead of doing a traditional rehearsal dinner do a meet and greet/beach bonfire with beer, sangria and a firepit with s'mores..... or do a 12 noon beach BBQ or volleyball tournament or beach picnic and provide surf boards, boogie boards, snorkels and munchies.
5. In lui of a cake do a chocolate fondue with all the exotic fruit local to your area.
We highly recommend this book to anyone planning or thinking of planning a destination wedding event! The book is for sale here but Alison has been kind enough to offer one of her books to one lucky reader who comments below by July 12th! One entry per email address, please.
This is great advice! Would love to win...we are planning a 2011 destination wedding :)
Posted by: sarah bright | July 07, 2009 at 08:28 AM
I'd love to win Alison's book... what FANTASTIC ideas! :)
Posted by: Alexis B | July 07, 2009 at 08:38 AM
I want this book...just for the photos!!
Posted by: kate | July 07, 2009 at 08:59 AM
Wow, this seems like a great book. Destination weddings seem like so much fun, but where do you even begin planning one? Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Mary Kidwell | July 07, 2009 at 09:13 AM
I've always wanted to do a destination wedding, but I'm not sure whether I have the guts to do it or not. This book sounds like it could give me the insider knowledge to finally take the plunge and do it!
Posted by: Natalie | July 07, 2009 at 09:25 AM
Oh I would love to win this book. I'm planning a destination vow renewal {weird, I know} and any help I can get I would love.
BTW, the picture of the two vases full of Bells of Ireland is beautiful. Do you know where it was shot?
Posted by: Kate @Kids and Cocktails | July 07, 2009 at 10:29 AM
Yes please! I am getting married in Jamaica & could use some help - this book is perfect!!
Posted by: NYCDawg | July 07, 2009 at 11:37 AM
I would love to read this book, cover to cover, based on the tidbits offered on Ritzy Bee!
Posted by: Kendra | July 07, 2009 at 11:43 AM
I just recently got engaged, and am thinking about a semi- destination wedding (on an island, but a 4 hour drive rather than a 10 hour flight away) and really, having a plan to get everything and everyone on the island might be the make or break it!
Posted by: Shayna | July 07, 2009 at 11:49 AM
I would love to win this book for my little sister who is having a destination wedding in Brasil!
Posted by: christi | July 07, 2009 at 01:57 PM
Oh wow! This is like an answer to a prayer. I've been scouring the web for resources for destination weddings and haven't found anything really useful. just these insider tips themselves was so much better than anything else I've found the past couple weeks!! Thanks for this opportunity Ritzy Bee and Alison!
Posted by: jane k | July 07, 2009 at 02:29 PM
Those pictures are amazing! I love the helpful hints too-- what fantastic ideas!
Posted by: Kerry | July 07, 2009 at 03:29 PM
Planning a destination wedding and would love to get a copy of this book. Thanks for posting the idea!
Posted by: Tamara | July 09, 2009 at 01:06 AM
We are planning a destination wedding and this book would definitely come in handy. I hope we win! Thanks Ritzy Bee!
Posted by: Allison | July 09, 2009 at 08:00 PM
Beautiful photography - book looks fantastic!
Posted by: Jacqui Ranui | July 10, 2009 at 10:12 PM
wow what a great book, we are in the middle of planning our destination wedding and it would be a great addition to my wedding book collection. Photos look amazing! Great job!
Posted by: Erma | July 13, 2009 at 02:00 AM
My boyfriend and I are planning a destination wedding in 2011. We are looking for sponsors who would be willing to work with us for discounted wedding items and supplies. With the current state of the economy, we cannot afford a wedding at this time. We are seeking sponsors who can help make our dream come true. In exchange for your services, we will give you recognition. We will include your company name in our invitations, programs, Thank You cards and wedding website. We will also allow you to place business cards in our guest favor bags. We are hoping to give our guests a wonderful favor bag full of goodies and business information. We want our guests to walk away and be wowed. We want them to ask "where did you get that" or "how did you do that?" Our answer will be in there favor bag .. . . from wonderful help from our sponsors. If you are willing to be a sponsor, please contact me via email at: varmentrout@hotmail.com.
Posted by: Venessa Armentrout | July 16, 2009 at 08:24 AM
Its a perfect wedding destination i like the place so much,and the ambiance was so gorgeous. :)
winnie
Posted by: wedding | November 11, 2009 at 03:21 AM