Getting engaged is a very exciting part of life, and if this is you, we offer our congratulations! If a destination wedding is part of your dream for the big day, you might be facing a lot of uncertainty when it comes to how you can make it happen. We’ve compiled a list of common questions for you to assist in the process, and our team is here to help you make your dreams come true!
Recommended Reading: 9 Tips to Plan a Destination Wedding
When should I start planning?
The best time to start is at least 12-18 months before your desired wedding date! We’d recommend having a few possible dates in case the one you want isn’t available for the destination you’ve chosen. The first thing you should worry about is your venue—once that is secure, you’ll have a good idea of what else you’re going to need! Some venues will take care of more things than others, so this will help you determine what work is left. Your final confirmations with staff on-site at the venue can also vary with some finalizing months before your date and some only days before. Arriving a few days before the big day is helpful so you get to walk through the whole day’s plans with the staff! If you are unsure of what to expect, ask your travel consultant and your venue consultant as many questions as you need.
What kind of costs should I tell my guests to expect?
On average for destination weddings outside the country, guests should expect to budget about $2000. This can vary depending on the venue you choose, the deals available, and whether you choose to use part of your budget to help guests with their costs. Your travel consultant can help you lay this all out!
Often, guests will be able to pay a deposit by a certain deadline to secure their spot in a group booking for the wedding. Typically, this will mean either one lump sum or installments until the final due date which is usually 60-90 days before the departure date.
What are the most affordable times of year for destination weddings?
Aim for booking in November, early January, late February, and early March if you’re hoping to save the most money on your wedding. Your travel consultant will be happy to help guide you through the various trends throughout the year!
Can you get a group booking rate for your guests?
When you book with CAA partners like Sunwing, WestJet Vacations, and Air Canada Vacations, group booking rates are available for both flights and hotel accommodations. This will let you reserve seats and rooms for guests, even if they are all coming from different locations.
Many resorts will offer you pre-designed wedding packages for your convenience, but they can’t all accommodate large guest counts. If you hope to have a larger wedding, make sure you speak to your travel consultant about what your options will be!
Can I get help with planning my day?
As you’ve probably guessed by now, the answer is a resounding yes! CAA travel consultants are available to help make this day truly special for you, and so are the staff at the various venues out there. Our team will help you get connected to the team on the other end so you can feel comfortable knowing you’re going to get the help you need. The venue’s team will be able to help you with things like photography, decor, and more. Between the two teams, all your logistics will be handled seamlessly so you can focus on the joy of your day!
What are the top resort chains in 2025 for destination weddings?
We see many couples choose to book with Riu, Palladium, and Hyatt. They are all known for their quality wedding packages and scenic locations. We can help you determine which would be best for your specific needs! Destinations like Cuba, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic even offer direct flights from Saskatchewan.
What are the legal requirements I should know about?
Some couples choose to make their destination wedding simply symbolic and do the legal ceremony at home to make things a little easier. However, if you choose to have the legal aspect included wherever you go, your travel consultant can help you determine what you’ll need! As with any wedding, you would need a marriage license, but some countries will require additional paperwork or medical tests, so make sure you check in early in your planning process.
Are there any other costs that I might not be thinking about?
We recommend getting comprehensive travel insurance to protect against any unexpected events. The last thing you want for your wedding is to deal with a problem that our team could help you solve if you have the insurance in place! CAA travel insurance is available to cover what you need.
Some resort packages can include optional add-ons that increase your total expenses. Your travel consultant can help you identify these early so you can avoid facing any surprises!
Sometimes you can get extra savings from one-time price-drops offered by providers like Sunwing, meaning if the price of your package drops, you can adjust to the lower rate and provide more budget flexibility. Your travel consultant can help with this as well!
Recommended Reading: Personalizing Your Destination Wedding Experience
Do you have more questions about booking your destination wedding? We would love nothing more than to be a part of this process with you to ensure you get the wedding of your dreams. The CAA Travel team is here for you every step of the way! They can even help you find any available discounts. CAA members can get exclusive discounts on their travel bookings, so let us show you how to save a bit on your big day!