We know that a lot of our readers are local Southern Florida brides, however, we are hoping that brides using our sunny area of South Florida as a destination wedding site find us useful! Planning your wedding from afar can be difficult when you are not aware of local resources. We sat down with the wonderful planner and designer Alison Hotchkiss from Alison Events, who specializes in destination weddings, to get her scoop on ideas while planning a wedding by the beach in Florida.
{book photo: Thayer Photography}
You focus a lot on Destination Weddings. What can you share is the biggest difference for couples planning a destination wedding versus a wedding in their hometown?
There are a lot of differences between planning a local wedding and a destination wedding, but something that a lot of my clients seem to notice is the difference in what's available in other areas. While resources might be more limited in your hometown, places like Miami has a plethora of available rentals, decor options, amazing caterers and more.
When do you recommend a couple brings on a Wedding Planner for a Destination Wedding since there are so many more details to plan?
Generally speaking, I recommend couples hire a wedding planner about a year out, whether local or destination. While you can absolutely plan a wedding in less time, you're going to have a lot more options in terms of venues and vendors if you start far in advance. I actually recommend hiring a planner 12-16 months prior to the wedding for locations that are such a popular destination and venues that tend to book up really early.
What are some advantages for brides looking to work with a destination wedding planner?
A destination wedding is difficult to plan because it's not always easy to find the best local companies to work with. If you bring a planner on board, they'll likely have their own relationships in or near the area already if they have a history of planning destination weddings. Even if they haven't done a wedding in that specific area before, they probably have a system in place for researching local vendors and venues, in short cutting out some time on your end.
{photos: left, Thayer Photography; right, Jenny Pfeiffer / Emily Nathan}
Where is your favorite place you have planned a wedding?
I go back and forth about this all the time. I've done weddings around the world and probably love Mexico the most because it's so casual and beautiful and has the best weather. But, I also loved the wedding we did this past year in Italy because the food and wines were all amazing. Along the same lines, Napa and Sonoma are incredible because the wine region is stunning, weather is almost always perfect and predictable, and there are tons of great high-end caterers and venues.
Any tips you would give to a Florida bride wanting to get married on the beach?
Beach weddings are so much fun! Just be careful about having a back up plan in case of rain and make sure that you're comfortable being in the elements. Sand, wind, humidity, crashing waves, those are all things you need to be comfortable with if that's what you're signing up for. Also, make sure your dress is something that you can breathe in and something that works with the natural setting around you.
{photos: Anna Kuperberg}
What is your favorite trend you see at the moment with beach/island weddings?
I love great specialty cocktails. As a guest at a beach wedding, there's nothing you want more than a cool, refreshing cocktail after a wedding ceremony. I often suggest something made with prosecco or white wine to cool everyone down. Cupcake makes this amazing Lemon Chiffon vodka that tastes fantastic splashed into their prosecco with elderflower liquer and a little muddled raspberry.
What would your dream design/venue be for a wedding in South Florida?
I would love to do a wedding at a big, old rustic home overlooking the beach, where you could do the ceremony and cocktails out on the beach, then have a large white sperry tent with wooden poles and open walls tucked behind the beach grass and sand dunes for dinner and dancing. I love basically anything that's wide open and modern and clean against the backdrop of something old with lots of history.
Thank you so much Alison for the advice! Make sure to follow Alison and her amazing team along on their blog to see what beautiful events they are creating!
