Destination proposals have been popular for years now, and for good reason; what could be more romantic than declaring your love in front of friends and family on a white sand beach, a majestic mountain range, or even the grounds of an old European castle? Try keeping the guest list to just you and your love, add the element of surprise, and you’ve laid the groundwork for a vacation—and proposal—he/she’ll never forget.

During a family vacation to Trinidad and Tobago, Michael had a driver whisk Lauren away to a private villa. She made her way through a white draped maze, stopping at stations to read letters Michael had written for her and to view photographs highlighting their relationship. At the end of the maze she found Michael standing on a carpet of rose petals, and as the sun set over the tropical cove he got down on one knee and asked Lauren to marry him.

Make it Meaningful

Where you pop the question can have as much impact as how you do it. Consider proposing at your first vacation spot, or check off a location on her bucket list. A destination can also reflect your interests; cycling enthusiasts will love Amsterdam—the bicycle capital of the world—while adventurers could hike to the Top of the World in Banff. Michael wanted to propose to Lauren in her home country, and even had the driver bring her family to the villa for a champagne celebration.

Perfect Planning

Pulling off a grand proposal is daunting, and traveling can compound the challenge. Ask friends and family for help, or hire a planner to take care of the details. Samantha Pham of J’Adore Design and Events not only helped Michael execute his plan, but also added a creative flair to his ideas.

Capture the Moment

Hiring a photographer ensures your proposal is truly unforgettable. Barbara Rahal caught the couple’s sunset romance on film, and Michael had GoPros at each station to record Lauren’s reactions to his letters.

Don’t Forget!

Obviously you’ll need the ring, but pack it in your carry-on baggage and go second through security so your partner won’t see it if you’re searched. Pack celebration outfits, but say they’re for a fancy dinner to avoid giving the surprise away. Michael purchased an outfit for Lauren and had Samantha bring it along with his suit.

Many people have the impression that destination weddings are easier and less stressful than planning a wedding at home – but that’s not always the case. Here are 5 important factors to consider when planning a destination wedding dress.

1) Your Guests

Destination weddings ask a lot of your invitees: the cost of travel, of course, and depending on the location guests may have to take time off work to attend your nuptials. You’ll likely have friends or family who cannot attend or choose not to attend for various reasons. Be prepared for some loved ones to miss the occasion and don’t take it personally.

Tips:

• Provide accommodation options at different price points to suit a range of budgets.
• Setup a wedding website to convey travel information to your guests to make it easier for them to attend.

2) Planning From Afar

If you have “Type A” tendencies, a destination wedding may not be a good fit! Unless you’re able to travel to the location before the wedding to scope out venues and meet with vendors in person, you may find it difficult to make all your plans remotely, especially when cultural differences and language barriers come into play. In some destinations it can take weeks to receive email responses – not every bride has the patience to deal with that pace of planning.

Tips:

• Do your research! Search for real photos from travel review sites or destination wedding blogs to avoid unwelcome surprises.
• Engage the services of a Wedding Planner experienced with weddings in the area.

3) Bon Voyage Budget

It is a common belief that destination weddings are much cheaper than celebrating at home, however tropical resort packages can be deceiving as they are often for a very small number of guests and do not include a private reception.

A weak Canadian dollar can affect affordability of destinations abroad, so why not consider a beautiful destination closer to home? Canada boasts incredible locations throughout the Rocky Mountains, Okanagan Valley and West Coast.

Tips:

• Look off-resort for great local venues that will give you more flexibility in customizing your wedding and choosing your suppliers.
• Some locations may offer better rates for weekday and/or low season weddings.

4) The Unexpected

Destination weddings are more likely to be affected by factors beyond your control. Examples include extreme weather, such as hurricanes, snow storms, floods and forest fires (we’ve had weddings affected by all of the above); health outbreaks like Swine Flu and most recently, Zika Virus; and foreign political unrest.

Tips:

• If you’re heading somewhere tropical, check when that area is most likely to experience severe storms – in other words, don’t have your wedding during hurricane season!
• Look into getting traveller’s insurance and wedding cancellation insurance.

5) Making It Legal

Each country has their own legal requirements for marriages. Some countries mandate blood tests and may require that you’re in the country for a specified number of days before the wedding takes place. In Canada and the U.S. marriage licenses are issued by province / state, so be sure to check the particulars for your wedding location.

Tip:

• Consider getting married legally at home shortly before or after your destination wedding, and have a symbolic ceremony abroad. This can look and feel exactly the same as a legal ceremony so your guests won’t know the difference – and you may save yourselves some headaches.

Are you planning a destination wedding in Hawaii? Well we’ve found a true gem in the charming island city of Honolulu.  Walking distance from Wakiki beach, The Modern Honolulu is all it’s been raved out to be and more. Complete with luxe and modern spaces The Modern Honolulu can host a modest dinner party to a lavish ballroom wedding.

Our favourite space in the property would be the Sun Suite and Terrace. This private space can host up to 100 guests and radiates with the feel of luxury. Showcasing breathtaking sunsets and sleek minimalism design this event space offers the perfect backdrop and ambience for your destination wedding.

What else makes this luxury hotel Honolulu’s gem?

The Penthouse: The ultimate posh destination for parties and intimate functions, The Modern Honolulu’s 1,400-square-foot luxury Penthouse also features a beautifully landscaped and furnished 1,500-square-foot terrace provides an indoor/outdoor entertaining space with panoramic ocean views.

Dining: Between their signature restaurant Morimoto (available for parties upon request) and Executive Chef Scott Toner you and your guests will be blown away by some of Hawaii’s best meals using the flavors of island-grown ingredients.

The Spa: Spa packages completely customized for weddings is what each bride and groom need to take advantage of at this hotel. A full spa menu is available to help you shine and feel your best on your wedding day.

The Nightclub: ADDICTION located inside the chic hotel is an upscale nightclub perfect for a stag/stagette celebration channeling South Beach, L.A. or Vegas in a way only Waikiki can.

How will you feel here? The service is personal and authentic, what they like to call the essence of Aloha, anything you can imagine to enhance your stay and experience. Blush approves The Modern Honolulu as your destination wedding venue and/or honeymoon.