All You Need to Know When Planning a Destination Wedding Weekend in Boston
Photo Credit: Leah Haydock Photography
Urban weddings are the perfect setting for an unforgettable guest experience. City settings provide access to the best amenities, from blended cultures to enriching experiences and an abundance of sites to appease your loved ones. In the midst of the benefits, these weddings may also present some challenges. Here, we will share Delsie's best tips and considerations for planning a wedding weekend in any metropolitan center, including Boston.
Photo Credit: Leah Haydock Photography
Select your date early
You and your spouse-to-be may absolutely love your city destination of choice, but so do many other couples. Time creates more choices and decision-making power to select the best venues, experiences and vendors. We suggest selecting your date at least one year in advance.
Photo Credit: Leah Haydock Photography
Plan for traffic
If the intention is to host your day in multiple locations, such as moving from one venue to another between your ceremony and reception or from a getting ready location to the ceremony site, it is necessary to account for travel time. For example if it typically takes 15 minutes to travel by shuttle, factor in traffic and buffer the timeline with 40 minutes instead. Transportation agencies, in addition to your wedding planner will help you to set realistic expectations for the time of day and season of your wedding weekend.
Photo Credit: Jamal & Lashana Photography
Remember that a city is a bustling place
In a bustling setting such as Boston, New York, or Miami, expect that you will be the center of attention for bystanders and guests alike. While this will certainly enhance the drama of the day which may align with your vision, if you personally prefer a more conservative and quiet atmosphere, it is necessary to consider that all eyes will be on you and your breathtaking attire.
Photo Credit: Jamal & Lashana Photography
Expect to invest
Urban settings typically require a slightly more robust investment due to the variety of amenities that are readily available. It is essential to set realistic expectations around your wedding budget if you plan to get married in a city. Delsie recommends that all couples include a contingency fund in their wedding budget for unforeseen expenses that is 5-10% of their overall budget.
Photo Credit: Jamal & Lashana Photography
Visit the city during the season you picked
Visiting where you plan to get married during the season you prefer helps to prepare you for weather in advance in any location. This is particularly important in places with more changeable climates, like Boston where the weather is unpredictable. This visit may also inform your design choices. You may decide after your visit that you want to incorporate a metropolitan theme into your design choices, such as a skyline motif on your invites or welcome sign. For this reason, it is important to complete this trip early on in the planning process.
Photo Credit: Leah Haydock Photography
Incorporate the city’s best features and amenities into your experience
Large cities have so many options for elegant places to dine or activities that your guests may enjoy at their leisure. Incorporate the local amenities into your event or wedding website so that your guests have the opportunity to see some iconic places during their visit or know what activities are available during their downtime. For example, using the Boston Museum of Fine Art as your wedding venue will allow your guests the chance to see the Museum. Incorporating the amenities and attractions into your itinerary will create an unforgettable wedding weekend experience for you and your guests.
Photo Credit: Jamal & Lashana Photography
Book room blocks in advance
We always recommend booking room blocks in advance for your guests, and this is particularly important for your destination soiree. When large events are occurring, like maybe the Boston Marathon or April Vacation, hotels tend to book up quickly. Aim to lock in your room blocks within about 6 months of your date. Delsie typically recommends to our couples that they book three room blocks within a 1-mile radius of their venue. Read more about the guest experience in our recent blog, 10 Tips for Creating the Ultimate Wedding Guest List.
Photo Credit: Leah Haydock Photography
We at Designed by Delsie adore our city weddings and creating lively, immersive itineraries for your guests during your wedding weekend. We hope these tips were helpful in planning your urban wedding - wherever that may be.
Photo Credit: Jamal & Lashana Photography
Pearl goes above and beyond to create a high-end, luxury wedding weekend experience for each and every couple while celebrating diversity and rich cultural backgrounds. I have had the pleasure of watching Pearl build Designed by Delsie into the top New England full service planning company. She offers more than others in the industry and develops deep relationships with her clients to ensure that each couple has a unique experience that is as individual as they are. Delsie is special from the dedicated bridal concierge, who will be sure that each bride feels pampered and cared for, to the Delsie Signature Showcase experience, during which couples experience their wedding day from the perspective of their guests prior to the big day. Pearl's ability to create a world that couples and their guests can step into and create memories that will "spark joy" is truly one of a kind. Working with her over the years has been a true joy, and I hope to support Delsie for years to come. Moreover, Pearl supported me with planning mine and my husband's second reception in April of 2022 in Rhode Island. She was a life saver that day and managed to pull together all of the chaotic details so that I was able to enjoy the event. You can't go wrong if you choose the Delsie Experience.
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Need more inspiration?
Want to learn more about our destination wedding planning services for your wedding weekend? We’d love to hear from you! Please complete our inquiry form, and we will reach out to you within 48 hours to schedule a consultation.
Photo Credit: Sabrina Scolari Photography
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