The Ultimate Destination Wedding Guide Romania by Oana Toma

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DESTINATION WEDDINGS IN ROMANIA

Oana Alexandra Toma

The Modern Couple’s Guide to Planning and Enjoying their Destination Wedding in Romania

The Ultimate Guide to Destination Weddings in Romania ISBN 978-973-0-38963-0 Bucharest 2023 Oana Alexandra TOMA Copyright Cover Image Doru Buzea

Congratulations!

First of all, congratulations on your engagement! I am very happy you are considering hosting your wedding in Romania.

Whether one of you, both of you or neither of you are Romanian, our country has everything you will need to host an amazing event

As far as landscapes go, we have the sea, the mountains, and everything in between: the Danube and its Delta, beautiful vineyard covered hills and lakes. Weather wise, we have the four seasons, including great summers, snow in winter, beautiful foliage in fall and blooming trees in spring.

In terms of original locations, Romania has wonderful Saxon villages, castles, off the grid lodges and medieval cities. And the best thing: the people. The quality of services and vendors you can find is great, whether you are thinking of decor, photographers, planners or entertainment.

With the help of this guide, you will be able to really understand what your options are in terms of venues in this beautiful country but also what the steps are to planning and enjoying your beautiful wedding. You will notice that some of the locations in this guide are off the beaten path or off the grid completely, others close to big cities.

There is also a chapter on special locations close to Bucharest The capital city can offer some wonderful few days of fun, including a wedding party by a lake, in a barn, on top of the old city or in a historical venue.

About the Author

Ten years ago, my sister and I opened Hadar Chalet, a completely off-the-grid boutique hotel in the heart of the Carpathians. Two years later, we added a wedding barn on the property. I would have never guessed what amazing moments we would be able to create for our dear guests. While managing a hotel is wonderful work, the almost 200 weddings that we have been able to host and be a part of in the past eight years have been the highlight of my career so far.

Hadar and its Barn were pioneers, launching the idea of destination weddings and rustic chic throughout Romania, in a time when hotel ballrooms were regarded as the best option and the normal guest count was closer to 300 We are proud of igniting change and being an inspiration, proving to clients and the entrepreneur community alike that Romania too can be like the fairy tale places we saw in movies and Pinterest boards.

At Hadar we host around 30 wedding events per year, as our capacity is obviously limited by time and space. Our forest barn concept is popular but there are also so many other possibilities, for all tastes.

New, modern venues are opening all around the country, all the while historical buildings are adding the option to get married within their walls. Couples are starting to increasingly choose the wedding of their dreams, including destination weddings, straying away from the expectations of parents or others.

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My intention for this guide is to be an important source of information and help for the couples that want their most wonderful days to be just like them: adventurous, beautiful, original and thoughtful. It is also a tribute to all of the locations and their people and the work put in to offer guests from Romania and all over the world a great experience and memories for life.

About this Guide

In order to be able to choose the venues to present in this guide, a thorough search was done among wedding planners, photographers, friends and by searching the internet. The resulting list contains most of the possible venues for an event, big or small, that would be able to provide the couple with an interesting landscape as backdrop to their party. Some of the names are already "classics" when it comes to such a wedding.

Some have the possibility to host events but have not yet advertised too much. And then there are a few that are beautiful and would like to host their first such experience. Depending on your needs, taste and appeal for adventure, contact those that you find interesting and find out more.

This is, in no way, a complete list. I am sure beautiful places have escaped us and others are being built right now. We will keep updating the roster, as long as new properties fulfil our criteria

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About this Guide (continued)

Please also excuse possible errors and wrong information - details and offers change often and we have done our best to inform correctly and to keep the guide updated

Before you reach the beautiful hotels and venues, you will also see some words of advice. What I meant to be only few ideas turned into a few dozen pages of tips that I would share with my best friend before planning their own destination wedding. Brides and grooms from all over the world have already trusted me and my team to provide them with beautiful memories for a lifetime

I hope the information that I have learned and then shared here will be helpful in your journey. I thank everyone involved in this project and would also like to extend a special thank you to my editorial assistant, Anita Cojocaru.

For any feedback and venue proposals, please contact me at hello@oanatoma.com

CLICKTOSKIPAHEAD: TIPS

WEDDINGVENUES

WEDDINGPLANNERINTERVIEWS

Tips for planning your dream destination wedding

1. Find the perfect place

Decide on what your dream wedding is

3. Consider hiring a wedding planner

Plan with guests in mind

5. Find your perfect vendors

Pleasing the palate: food options

7. Tying the knot: wonderful ceremonies

Bringing everyone together

Turn it into a great trip

10. The stress-free budget

Whydestinationweddingsaredifferent

How are destination weddings different than classic wedding receptions in a city? Many times, there are more details to take into consideration, as you will be responsible for your guests for a few days, rather than a few hours. You will also be planning an event in a location that is far away from where you live.

Manu Prats / Stocksy

1.What does your dream wedding look like?

When you imagine yourself saying YES, what do you see? What is there around you? Who is there to celebrate with you? How does it feel? Many of us have grown up imagining ourselves at our wedding, perhaps in a grand luxury hotel ballroom or on a beach. Maybe we took as reference Hollywood movies, a relative’s local party or an image we saw in the press or a storybook

Ellie Baygulov / Stocksy

Askyourself

After getting engaged, now you really have to think hard and decide: in a world of options, where do you want to get married and celebrate with your friends and family?

Until not long ago, weddings had only one particular way of happening – for most people, they still do There is a specific way or even a specific restaurant in town where everyone you know hosts their party, done mostly to announce their marriage to society but also to raise money for the new life the couple is starting.

However, as times are changing, brides and grooms wish to do things differently, exactly as they envision it now, as adults: some couples want to elope, to get married in secret. They let everyone know later, maybe through a social media post Some want to do it in a wonderful place, in their country of origin, if they are now living abroad, hosting a traditionally inspired celebration for their foreign friends to enjoy. There are also couples who prefer to choose a new country altogether and invite everyone there for a great experience in a beautiful backdrop that they have been dreaming about or in a place of great significance for the bride and groom.

The options are truly endless and it is up to both of you to decide where, when, how and with whom you want to celebrate.

How do you decide?

In my experience, the best way to start is with an honest conversation with each other. Things to take into consideration: your dream locations, your country(ies) of origin, who you do not imagine hosting your wedding celebration without and your approximate budget.

I found that many times, the most important factor is the people you want close to you on that day – and what this means logistically. A destination wedding in Bora Bora is a wonderful idea, unless you live in Europe and want at least 30 guests, among which your grandparents, who do not or can not fly. A number of the weddings that we host at Hadar started as elopements in the Seychelles or beach weddings in Greece – they moved it back to Romania because they wanted a larger number of guests or they couldn’t ask the older relatives to travel for too long. They still got their amazing destination wedding and extraordinary memories, but in a place that accommodated their location needs.

I have also seen a lot the opposite: transforming the wedding into a trip so that they have the perfect excuse to invite less people Because hosting it in their city would have meant the guest list was closer to 2, 3 or even 400+ relatives, business partners or colleagues, friends or people invited by the bride’s and groom ’ s parents, a getaway was their best case scenario to invite 100 or even just the close family. Our smallest wedding was a party of... 6.

The country of origin – if one or both of you are from Romania but live abroad - is a great place to start. This means you can cater to older relatives and also include certain traditions or places that mean something to you. It’s also a wonderful opportunity to show your friends around and turn it into an amazing trip for everyone, by extending the wedding party by at least a couple of days.

Romania is also a great option if both of you are from a different country but would love to create for yourselves and for your guests an original experience while experiencing a new place and beautiful surroundings.

Romania has a lot to offer in terms of landscapes and hospitality and it is a great alternative to Greece, Portugal, Italy or France, for example.

A dream location would usually be a specific hotel or a specific landscape or type of place: the mountains, the beach, a castle, a farm, a barn, by a lake, etc. If it is a specific hotel, then it’s just a matter of budget and logistics – if, however, you decided on just a country (Romania) and maybe a landscape, the second part of the guide is for you!

Last but not least, the budget is normally of great importance, as the costs add up quickly when you take into consideration travel, accommodation and most probably more than one night of celebrations. For more details and tips, check tip 10.

2.Willyoudoitalone?Whenandwhytohirea WeddingPlanner

For some, hiring a wedding planner or not is considered a matter of budget. For others, it’s a non-negotiable so that they can have guidance and help throughout the process and the day-of. But for some events, it may be the only way you can actually make it happen. How do you know what your situation is?

There are mainly three types of Wedding Planners:

Wedding Day-of Coordinator. After having planned the wedding themselves, the couple hires someone a month before (or so), informs them of all of the details and pays them to come to the wedding to ensure that the suppliers have arrived, that everything is set and that the schedule is adhered to. The coordinator also becomes the contact for suppliers and guests alike in order to answer any questions that day. This is a great idea so that, on your wedding day, you are not completely stressed out and can enjoy it, rather than being on your phone and running around the entire time.

Wedding Planner. A Wedding Planner is one that will help you navigate through all the tasks of planning a relatively classic wedding. The invitations could be custom-made, but the menu is generally the one that is offered by the location and the vendors are chosen by the bride and groom from a list of recommendations. The most important tasks for the hired planner are to bring options in front of the couple, to coordinate contract signing and payments and to be there on the day of the event to see that it is going according to plan.

Julia K / Stocksy Kevin Klein / Stocksy

Wedding Production, Styling and Planning Professional / Agency. The most complex option is to hire someone who will turn your wedding into an original, memorable event that has a concept behind and sees that it that is fully implemented. The concept is designed together with the bride and groom and normally includes items produced specifically for the event, for example custom made invitations and stationery, decorations, napkins and take-home gifts, an original design for the chosen location implemented with a number of suppliers or even a custom menu and entertainment to match the theme.

The time that all of these tasks take is monumental and almost impossible to manage for someone who already has a full time job. The creativity and industry knowledge needed (knowing who to contact for what task, getting everything in on time and everything perfectly executed) are also possible only for someone whose only job is to design fabulous events. On the day of the event, someone from their team or the owner of the agency themselves will be there to make sure that everything is perfect.

Very complex events or weddings in places that do not usually host such events also need hired assistance, there will be no way around it. Some locations will not even allow you to host your wedding on their property without a professional to take care of all of the details needed to stage it. For example, a beautiful property with an amazing scenery but no place for 80 guests in the restaurant would need a tent with a floor, tables, chairs, table cloths, decorations, possibly even a chef and serving staff, sometimes even a mobile kitchen.

Rotund Perfect Doru Buzea

Depending on what the property is and where it is, you may even need mobile toilets or extra electric power generators. Only someone who does this for a living could and should take care of all of this effort, in order for your event to be stressless and flawless.

If you do not have a lot of time to deal with the complexity of planning the event, find a planner you trust and enjoy the process!

Importantnote

While any of the options involves a cost, think of it as an investment. The most important thing is that you will be able to enjoy your wedding (and the money you were spending anyway).

Wedding Planners and Coordinators can either charge a fixed fee based on the package you have selected or a percentage of the total wedding cost. More complexity, more work. Just make sure you know what is included and what you can expect in terms of hours of work for the planning and even the day-of. Some planners end the work day at midnight, some are only available for planning meetings during the day and every one has a different way of working and interacting. The important thing is to find one that matches your style and needs.

My strong recommendation is for a local planner or agency - a Romanian one - even if you can bring one from a different country. All of the good ones speak English and will manage the national vendors and the location well, as well as enquiries from your guests.

Milles Studio / Stocksy

Tipsonchoosing yourplanner

Because you will most probably work with this person for a year or longer and you will trust her with your most precious (and expensive!) event, here are some tips, before choosing:

Seth Mourra/ Stocksy

Ask for recommendations, Google and Instagram search for wedding planners, either local or destination wedding planners. If you have a short list of locations, ask them if they have a recommendation for you.

If possible, definitely choose someone who is experienced in Destination Weddings - because it is a multiple day event and it involves travel, guests from many locations and complex schedules Ideally, it would be someone that already knows the property or that you can ask to get to know the property way before your event

After choosing two or three planners whose work you like (images, website, reviews), get on a discovery call. See what they are like. See if you and your future spouse vibe with them. Define what kind of help you will need and ask for a quote. Discuss the kind of communication that would work best for both of you: email, whatsapp, voice notes, monthly calls, etc, and agree on a preferred response time (24h, 48h)

Choose one that you like best and a sign a contract that clearly states the conditions of your collaboration (who takes care of what, when does the planner arrive and when do they leave, what hours will they work on-site, who pays for travel, accommodation, site visits, etc.)

Milles

Very complex events or weddings in places that do not usually host such events need hired planners.

Of course, you can also plan a wedding on your own This implies that you dedicate some time of your week to research, conduct discussions about availability and price, negotiate, sign contracts, coordinate suppliers, schedule orders so that they arrive in time, etc.

In the months leading up to it and on the day of, you can also ask a very organised friend or sibling to help you out with coordination and some of the things that you may need on the day (picking up your bouquet and cake, if there is no delivery, for example). This can be very stressful however, so you need to make sure you or your friends actually enjoy these tasks so that the whole event does not become a "I can not wait for this to be over " kind of situation.

Whatever option you go for, just make sure you write everything down and you have a spreadsheet where you record all of the important information: contracts signed, payment due dates, what you still haven't taken care of, confirmed schedules

Studio/ Stocksy

3. How do you choose the ‘perfect’ venue?

As everything else in life, choosing a wedding venue will be a matter of priorities. As the absolutely perfect place doesn’t exist, you will have to choose based on what is most important to you.

Askyourself

Among the things to take into consideration: the distance from the closest airport, possible accommodation on site, cost, who will or will not be able to join you, dates available, reservation and cancellation conditions, where you can host the civil and/or religious ceremony, how you can decorate the actual wedding venue on the night of the party, what vendors you can bring into the location, etc.

If the venue requests 80% of the costs up front, you may not afford that or want to do that. If you cannot do your ceremonies outside, in beautiful surroundings, you may not want to do it there at all, no matter how nice the restaurant is.

If the venue has a list of exclusive vendors whose portfolio you do not like – or if the food is not good and you do not have the option of outside catering – it may be a big NO, no matter how good all the other conditions are.

Vladimir Tsarkov/ Stocksy

No matter the country, there will always be things in both the PROs and the CONs columns for any location. This is why what is most important is for you to know what you care about and to ask the right questions in advance, before signing a contract.

importanttip

You do not want, on your wedding day or wedding weekend to be frustrated, annoyed and wish you had done something differently. Something will most possibly not be perfect, but as long as it was not your priority, it should not matter. If it is something you really care about, you will have a wonderful day shadowed by this feeling or even by a fight on the topic.

Because you are a smart and organised person (hey, you got a guide and are reading it!), this will not happen to you. Just make sure you are aware of all the details and make an informed decision.

A note about the weather

If there is something you can not control, it's the weather. Even though you choose a date that sounds perfect, there may always be a chance that it will rain, be windy or cloudy enough to make it colder. Plan for any possibility in terms of the party and clothing (as in: a tent for a completely outdoor wedding and a jacket for the cold) and just enjoy your time with the closest people in your life I've seen couples even order fun custom umbrellas when they saw the weather forecast turn grey and turn it into a photo opportunity.

What you can ask the potential venue to get the full picture:

Do they usually host weddings?

What are the dates available? How much time can they hold a spot for you in order to have time to check with other vendors and your most important guests?

What are the closest accommodation options (if you need more rooms)? Do you need to make your own arrangements or can you book through them?

What is the maximum capacity for the wedding party venue? Is there a minimum required? Where can you host the other meals – breakfast, lunch, brunch?

Can guests who are not staying at the location come and use the spa, pool or sports facilities at the main property?

What are the costs for everything needed to host this party? Is there a predefined package available?

What is the reservation process like? Is there a contract? (there must be!) How much do you need to pay in advance and when? What is the cancellation policy?

Are there additional costs that you should know about? E.g. After the open bar ends, if you want to extend the party by an hour, late check-out, corkage fee, etc.

What are the food and beverage menus? Can the food be tasted? Is there an extra cost for this? Can the beverage menu be changed? Can you bring our own drinks?

Do they work with an external chef / catering company or do they have Inhouse staff?

Can you bring your choice of catering company, if you want to?

Are waiters hired externally or do they use In-house staff? Do they have enough staff for all of the days we will be there?

Is there or can there be a play area for kids (if you would need one)?

Will there be other events hosted in the same location (at the same hotel, in another space near-by, immediately before or after your event?)

How many members of staff are assigned to your guests?

Is there an event coordinator present on site and if so, is there an extra charge?

What are the logistics included (tables, chairs, cutlery, table cloths and napkins, candles, etc)? Can you bring different ones? What are the sizes of the tables and how many do they have?

Do they have logistics for the candy bar?

Is there any stationery included (wedding menus, name cards, welcome message, table arrangement map)

Is there a stage / dance floor that you can rent or use rent-free?

Is there a sound system on site?

Is there a maximum number of kW you can use? Are there problems you should know about with the electricity system?

How big will the dance floor be? Is that enough for the number of guests you want to have?

Can you come visit when the space is prepared for an event?

How is the room usually set-up? Are there different set-ups possible?

What is the optimum set-up and number of guests for a comfortable event?

Are there noise restrictions? Number of decibels, hour of closing?

Can you decorate however you like? When can you enter the space for decorating and when do they need to be down?

How many parking spots are there?

How many bathrooms are there? Are they cleaned throughout the night?

Can you read the contract before asking any more questions?

(if necessary) Are the parking, space and accommodation handicapaccessible?

If possible, try to stay overnight or eat lunch or dinner there. You will be able to better understand the vibe of the place at different times of the day, see how comfortable the rooms are and see the quality of the service and meals.

Ideally, you would visit each preferred location at least once before making a decision. Many times though, life gets in the way and you need to make a decision to keep a certain date, book your favorite vendors and be able to announce it to friends and family, so that they can block it in their calendars. This would mean that you decide, sight unseen, that you are hosting your wedding / wedding weekend in a location that you do not personally know. In order to make sure you have done your due diligence, I advise you to:

1.

Check out all existing review sites and ask the location about worries that you may have. If the location has disabled reviews on Facebook, ask why.

2.

Check out all social media platforms for images and videos of events at the location, including the “tagged” section and the location’s # so that you can see what real photos look like from there

3.

Ask around if anyone has been there or if someone close can go and visit for you – they can send you videos and photos, ask some of the questions and give you an honest opinion of the space

Ask for reference photos and videos of other events and photographers that have worked events there. Then look for their portfolios and see what events look like there.

4. 5.

Ask your wedding planner (if you have already selected one) and other vendors, in case you have one that you will work with (like a photographer) if they know the place and what their opinion is and the pros and cons.

Gavin Hellier / Stocksy

The above are a good idea to research even if you can go and visit, many things you cannot find out by just a short visit.

After you find out most or all of the details about the places you prefer most, you will be able to make a more informed decision and have all of the information necessary to complete your budget file and to organise your plan for the wedding and for the months leading up to the wedding without stress and without unpleasant surprises.

My most important advice is: make sure you vibe with the place That when you think of saying your YESes there, you are excited and cannot wait for the big day! Do not compromise, look at the red flags at the location (if you feel that something important for you will not be met) and take the time to feel if it is the best decision for both of you. Remember, most probably your wedding is in more than a year or at least many months from now – you need to be confident it is what you want and what will fulfil you.

Julia K / Stocksy

Culturalnote

The perfect place for you is, oftentimes, not the perfect place for your families.

In the Romanian culture, for example, parents go to their friends’ children weddings in order to make sure that when their own children get married, enough people will come to their wedding to bring a money gift. When you let your parents know that you are having a small wedding and not inviting all of the people they have been giving money to for years, they oftentimes are upset and feel like they have failed you (or you, them).

This means two things. One, that you need to be confident enough in your choice of type of wedding so that you do not get into the heavy conversations. Two, you need to make sure that you can afford all of the costs or have a clear plan so that you do not need to ultimately invite people hoping that they give you enough money or that you need extra money from your parents (who told you so!).

What is most important is that the two of you (bride & groom) love the place. If one is a beach person and one is a mountain person, as it oftentimes happens, you can consider combining both things: whether a civil ceremony somewhere and then the religious ceremony and reception as a destination wedding with everyone, or a wedding somewhere and the honeymoon chosen by the other person. After all, we are all different people, but you are entering the most important partnership of your life. Do it well.

One of the biggest concerns when it comes to planning a destination wedding in Romania, outside of the main cities, is that normally all of the guests need to stay overnight Because some of the most beautiful places are quite remote and usually do not have enough rooms on location, rooms have to be booked by the bride and groom in multiple places. This invites a few questions:

Who stays in the rooms available on the property? How do we decide how to assign the rest of the accommodation options?

Do we let our guests choose where to stay?

Who pays for the rooms that were booked?

How do we communicate to those invited where they are staying and what the conditions of confirmation and payment are?

How do we deal with those who are unhappy with what we have chosen for them?

Because solutions here depend a lot on the specifics of the location as well as your group (how well they know each other, what your relationship with them is, their personality, your personality, their budget, your budget etc), I only have one main piece of advice.

The most important thing is to do your best to accommodate everyone in the most comfortable way and to be transparent about everything. Definitely do not let them find out from the receptionist, when they arrive at the wedding, that their accommodation is actually 30 minutes away, in a completely different place. Or worse yet, no one knows where they are supposed to be staying and the bride and groom are not answering their phones (both of these situations have happened to our team).

4.Yourguests-accommodatingeveryone 17

Because your guests are (most probably) the most important people in your life, you can share with them that because you have chosen a beautiful place, the number of rooms was very limited and that you had to pre-book accommodation and assign it in order to make sure that everyone has a place to stay. There is also the option to let everyone find a place and figure out on their own where they can stay and what the details are, but this could turn out to be a terrible idea, depending on what the hotel situation is like in the area you will be hosting your wedding in.

Some locations will have enough rooms or even more than you may need, and then you can face a different problem: needing by contract to book all rooms or having to deal with having other people around, bothered by the noise and commotion.

Whatever the situation is, you will have to assess the pros and cons of comfort versus cost versus the opinions of your guests versus what your personal values are.

When talking about money, this conversation can be more or less difficult depending on the family and the habits of the guests invited. People may expect or be used to be told what the accommodation (and/or meals outside of the wedding) costs are and pay that in an account upfront or at check-out. Others may expect this cost to be covered by the groom and bride, as they were the ones who invited everyone, especially if airfare and transportation was already paid for by those coming from afar Sometimes, you can let everyone know from the get-go, in the wedding invitation.

In other cases, everyone is very discreet and tries to find out what the costs could have been and adds to the money gift or the value of the gift at the end.

Others, while you may not expect it, may give the same money gift or even less, because of the costs they have incurred to get to your event. And some may just RSVP "NO" because of the impending costs (some may tell you the reason, some may not).

As money is usually a complicated topic, I invite you to think very well of whom you have invited, what their expectations may be and what their budget is, and take that into consideration when planning everything. While they may love you, summer is a complicated season with the wedding season, an extended holiday and children at home that need entertaining. All of these incur extra costs and make it hard for some to be there for you, even if they really want to.

Do also take into consideration accommodation for vendors, that you will also most probably be responsible for, by contract. Most contracts mention how many rooms and of what quality the DJ, photographer, band, logistics people, wedding planner, etc. need. Some may request to be on site and some can stay farther away, but either way this is a cost that needs to be in the budget.

You may also find yourself in the uncomfortable situation where someone is saying that unless - they stay where you are staying, they are staying in the same place as X, it is a 4 or 5 star, they are secured transportation, etc - they will not come to your wedding. This will be a very trying time, one where you need to make sure what and who is most important to you.

It can get complicated - that why it is important to discuss everything in advance and to know what you can expect.

5. The perfect vendors.

Any wedding needs a number of vendors Venues sometimes offer complete packages with photographers, DJ, flowers, even a band. That is one way to go, if you have the option and if it suits you. However, in the vast majority of cases you may have to choose (or want to choose!) at least a few of the below:

stationery provider (invitations, menus, name cards, etc)

decorator (flowers & decor)

entertainment (DJ, Band, other types)

photographer (wedding album)

videographer (wedding video)

hair & make-up (for you & the bridal party or more guests)

candy bar & cake supplier (if not supplied on site)

photo booth (memories and entertainment)

children's corner entertainer

bar provider (if not supplied on site or not up to your standard)

caterer (if not supplied on site or not up to your standard)

waiting staff (if not supplied on site or not up to your standard)

other activity that you want to provide for your guests

Is there such a thing as the perfect choice? I believe so, as it will be a mix of what is available, your budget, your taste and your priorities.

Askyourself

What are the most important things for you? You may find that it is the experience of the guests, the exquisite food, the top shelf bar or the images that you will cherish the entire life.

Leah Flores / Stocksy

Dress for success

You will probably think of outfits for every part of your event: the wedding dress, the suit, the civil ceremony dress, the shoes, maybe even a special choice for relaxing by the pool, going on one of the activities or the post-party brunch. Maybe you'll want something custom made or fitted, or matching jackets with your wedding date or your initials. These make wonderful memories as well as great photos and there are plenty of online companies that can provide great choices (check out Etsy, if in lack of inspiration)

When planning your shopping and packing, don't forget to take into consideration the travel, the specificities of the chosen location, the possible weather and its changes and back-up options, just in case there is an accident.

For example, a large taffeta dress with a train can be very hard to travel with and iron, as well as more complicated if it rains and you need to be outside afterwards for photos, etc. I have seen dresses that had soaked up so much water from the ground while the couple were taking photos in the wet grass that they became dirty and heavy. With no back-up option and a dress that was not well though-out for a nature wedding, it was harder for the bride to enjoy herself. Shoes are also a very important factor, for both bride and groom.

Stiletto heels and uncomfortable shoes can become a nightmare and take away from the fun Go for smaller, thicker heels and worn-in options if you know you will need to walk through gravel, grass or the venue has uneven or wood floors. If it is an outdoor party, consider the ground - will you have to spend the night in wet grass or sand? Closed shoes might do the trick.

Leah Flores / Stocksy

At the chalet, we ’ ve often seen couples and their guests wear their "fancy" option for only the first hours, then changing into sneakers and enjoying the entire party.

Don't make stressful choices, as the whole event take so much to plan and turn into reality that it would be a shame for you not to be able to enjoy every second of it.

Usually, the bride and groom care more about one thing and less about another. Some may not want a videographer or a band at all, preferring photos and a DJ. Some would rather get a band but skimp slightly on the food. Other couples want a magazine-worthy wedding so they invest in decorations, their suit and dress and photographers Another type of couple think of the party as the entire weekend and want to provide their guests with many activities throughout, depending on what is available in the area: wine tastings, kayaking, farm visiting, etc. While they will splurge on these, they could consider a large budget for freshly cut flowers unnecessary.

If your wedding will also have tiny guests, it may be worthwhile to consider a children's corner Before you organise a table just for your younger guests, however, ask their parents. Depending on their ages and personalities, they might prefer or need to be seated with their parents and that will ruin your table arrangements the day of (believe me!).

Studio Firma / Stocksy

Ask the venue if they have baby high chairs if needed and if there is a place where children could sleep nearby. You will also need to see if there is a children's menu available as well as child-friendly options for the entire stay as well as cribs or rollaway beds for the rooms.

Hair & Make-up is another point that may be a non-negotiable for some weddings or cultures and a curiosity in others Most of the weddings at the Chalet have a hair and make-up artist team called in that set up a small salon in our meeting room or in the tree-house. We advise brides to ask the bridal party in advance as well as the rest of the guests who would want hair and/or make-up services and then communicate the price. Depending on how many guests sign up, the team can be smaller or larger and have different starting times. Sometimes make-up starts as early as 5:30 AM on the day of, depending on the specific schedule of the wedding. It is very important that the bride, her mother and mother in law as well as the bridesmaids are ready when they need to be for the photographer, if you have planned a reveal, a pre-wedding photoshoot or at least in time for the ceremony. Scheduling is extremely important as we have seen a three hour delay in the entire wedding because of a lack of planning in the beauty department. Please note, mosts stylists and artists come on location for a minimum of 5 appointments & transportation costs.

Trinette Reed / Stocksy

A note about stationery: while invitations can be and probably will be digital, on the day of you will need place holder cards, the drink and food menus and the seating chart printed. These are of great help operationally: guests will know where to go and will find their place, they will be seated with people you know are a good idea for them and they know what food and drinks to expect.

Photographers are an extremely important part of the party. Even if you may feel that you will remember every second and that people will be taking photos on their phones anyway, and even if you have that photographer friend who is coming and offered to take a few portraits, please hire a real professional. I have always seen this regret on the part of those who said it would not be important to them. As years pass, you want to have the most beautiful pictures of you and your wedding possible. They will be memories forever cherished by you and possibly your children and grandchildren.

When considering photographers, you may not realise yet how important their style of shooting and editing is. Like any artist, every photographer has a certain style that they take photos and edit in. That is why it is important for you to look at all his imagery and decide if this is what you want your event to be portrayed like. We have seen professionals that have a very light atmosphere in their photos, everyone looks bright and all the images are filled with natural light. Others edit their images with very dark tones and deep colours. Some photograph in a very journalistic way, some are specialised in indoor weddings and do not know how to manage a beautiful location with natural lighting that changes throughout the day. The same is true about videographers.

Please make sure that your research takes into consideration the destination wedding experience. These are very different and much more complex than ballroom photo corners. Another possibility are couple photographers. They both take photos and they deliver many more photos and angles, and you get both a female and a male point of view.

You will also have to decide, for a multiple day event, when the photographer is coming in and between what times you expect him to actually photograph Allow for breaks as this is a very physically taxing job and count them for the wedding menu at night. Before signing, also discuss expectations around photo deliverables. Some professionals send 10-15 photos within two weeks and then take many months to send the rest, as the volume of work is high and the photographing season ends in November. Make sure you know what to expect.

How do I find potential vendors for my wedding?

You may wonder, not having done this before and with no wedding planner, where do you find good vendors to ask for a quote and availability?

First of all, check out the additional guides available on the Wedding Guide website. If you get the bundle, you can see the most recommended photographers, videographers, florists and wedding gown designers. These have been vetted by wedding planners and clients alike and are already doing destination weddings even abroad, in Italy, France or Greece.

If not, you can always check Google. Look for keywords such as "destination wedding photographer Romania" and "best wedding photographers Romania". As good vendors tend to work with good vendors, if you find portfolios of florists, wedding planners, photographers and videographers you will also find tagged or mentioned who the other contributors were. Instagram and blogs are a good source for this. If you have friends that have gotten married in Romania, they are a good source of information. There are also dedicated online magazines that talk about special weddings and publish photos and information from the events they select.

What is the order in which I should contact vendors?

Unless you are very passionate about working with a specific photographer or band that only have specific dates available, always start with the location, so that you have the wedding date set. If your chosen venue requires that you need to book extra rooms in the area, do a quick check for availability and rates for the preferred date, before you sign. This way you will know that you can accommodate everyone on those dates and that it is affordable for you.

I would then continue with the photographer and entertaining (DJ or band) - two very important resources that are important to get right. Then onwards to decorations, stationery, food and others. I would also advise to book hair & make-up as soon as possible as the good ones book a year in advance and would need to have a compeltely free agenda in order to come on location.

6.PleasingthePalate-FoodatyourWedding

A classic wedding menu in Romania is comprised of 4 courses and cake - it can vary depending on the area, but most include an entree made up of a variety of different canapés, a fish based course, sarmale (meat filled cabbage rolls, served with sour cream and polenta), a meat based course as well as cake at the end and a candy and fruit buffet available throughout the night.

Dishes are served every 1 1/2, 2 hours or more, there is dancing in between and at the end of the night there is the cake, signalling that only then you are "allowed" to go home. This means many times that guests are eating up until the early hours of the morning, with the cake being served between 2 and 4 in the morning

As we have seen in the past years, especially after the pandemic, there is more and more pushback on this very heavy, traditional menu and the late hours. The trend is to either choose a buffet for the entire night or turn at least a "food moment" into a buffet option. More and more couples also want to have less food served in the first part of the night, including the cake, and then to go on and dance. The reasons are logical: less food wasted, a more healthy and natural eating schedule, respect for guests who want to leave earlier to get the sleep they need, a menu that reflects the couple's tastes and the theme of the night and so on.

There will definitely be changes in what the traditions are, but for traditional weddings, there is the pushback of the classic venues and their offer, as well as the fear that the money gift at the end of the wedding will be smaller if the party is different from what the guests are normally used to

However, destination weddings have the chance to be different by design. Many venues are flexible and offer more options now, especially since a lot of the guests are foreign and they have different expectations and needs. Some offer day weddings, personalised buffets, different types of food stations and many more. This is a wonderful way to turn the event into a more personal one.

My advice is to ask for the initial offer and options from the locations you like and then, based on what they can offer, put together your perfect menu and schedule. Go back then to the venues and/or the caterer and discuss if it would be possible. However, do not forget to take into consideration that you are inviting dozens of people that you need to take care of well, making sure they have what they need and they do not go hungry.

Sometimes, you may want much less than the package created by the venue, for cost reasons, and it may not be possible. For example, at Hadar, Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast and lunch are mandatory, before the night of the party. Some brides say that there will be no time for the lunch, as the guests will be busy preparing. However, we have learned from experience that it's simply not true and it causes a lot of issues not to have dinner and lunch prepared for all of the guests, especially as we are an off the grid location, with no restaurants or stores around We would not be able to keep those present unfed from 10 AM to 8 PM on Saturday, in order to ensure a smaller cost for the couple.

Our priority as the venue is to ensure that all of the guests have the best experience. These meals are part of the destination wedding equation in an exclusively rented off-the-grid property and need to be accepted as such. We are very transparent about the costs from day one of the planning, just to make sure there are no surprises at the end and couples can budget accordingly.

Different venues have different terms and on-site possibilities, so it is important to ask ahead. If there is an a-la-carte on-site restaurant open to anyone or many restaurants in the area, lunch may be optional and chosen by each person present.

Amor Burakova / Stocksy Leah Flores / Stocksy

Make sure you ask everyone, upon RSVP-ing, if they or their plus one needs a special menu. At every event there are special requests for gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, allergen-free, and the kitchen needs to know way ahead in order to prepare. Let the venue know their needs and their names, so that the waiting staff can find them easily and serve them in a timely manner.

When it comes to drinks, there are usually a few options Most, if not all venues, will propose a bar menu that you either have to accept or can change slightly. There is also sometimes the option to bring your own bar supplier (or a cocktail bar + wine bar, for example) or to buy your own drinks and bring them, either for free or for a corkage fee, to the location, to be served by the waiting staff.

Whatever the options available and your choice, you should check that the wine is good and that the quality of drinks that your guests expect is there If you know your crowd to be a gin and tonic fan, check what the gin is and upgrade it. If everyone is a beer lover, make sure they will have enough stock and maybe even try to offer draft or a locally brewed option. You can even choose two cocktails, one for each of you, to serve as The Bride's Choice and The Groom's Choice. Check how many hours the open bar is and what happens after that. If you want to offer shots, check if they are available and that they have proper glasses.

Importantnote

Marta Locklear / Stocksy

The 'Candy Bar' is very popular here. It’s a buffet with cakes and fruit, available from when the guests enter the room. For those who don't have a sweet tooth, you can also think of an Antipasto Bar (Meat Cuts, Cheeses), a simple fruit bar to cleanse the palate in between dishes or even more original options such as a Bread & Olive Oil Bar, Tapas Bar, Taco Bar, Burger Bar, Sarmale Bar - whatever suits your taste and story.

You can also sometimes add live food moments such as a spit roast (proțap) or live grill. The most important thing is for the choices and timing to make sense together, as for the guests the night will be a complete experience. Don’t forget to also think about the geography of the place, as guests can disperse to the different stations and can make the room (and the dancefloor! look empty.

The Wedding Cake is always a fun topic and here, you will find, there are many options. You can have an impeccable looking one that is actually a model, with just the top being actual cake. The rest will be individual portions that are prettier when you serve them on the plate. You can have a real cake altogether and then have the staff cut it. You can have a cupcake cake, a do-it-yourself Pavlova, hey, even a shot cake. The filling should be light and not dry, something that either you both like or that you know will be a hit with most guests.

Vladimir Tsarkov / Stocksy

Importantnote

At some point in time, a relative may offer to contribute to the wedding by bringing their home-made (wine, cakes, pretzels, tuica, visinata, etc) While a very kind offer, check first with the venue if they will accept it. Legally, food items can only come with documentation from a food laboratory. If you do want to provide guests with the home-made wine, always offer a bottled version too

The waiting staff will make an important mark on your event. Usually the venue will have their own staff or rent staff from an agency. Sometimes, you or your wedding planner will have to make sure you have enough people to set up and serve. For great service, a 1 waiter to 10-15 guests ratio should be ok with both drinks and food. An event manager should also be present to coordinate the waiters and the food moments with the dancing, if you do not have a wedding planner If you want a complex bar, make sure you have an experienced bartender and even a sommelier or a trained waiter present. The serving staff should be aware of what the menu of the night is and what is available at the bar, but this definitely should not replace the printed menus on the table. It takes much longer to order without these and service can be slowed down considerably.

In certain situations, you will have to or want to also hire a caterer or chef, someone to come and cook the food on site. This may happen when the location is not ready yet to cook for weddings or when you consider the food they offer to be sub-par or not varied enough for your event. It may cost you to be allowed to do this, so do ask in advance. There are a few companies that are wonderful and that can send their chefs around the country to cook great food for your party and some even have mobile kitchens available. Other locations may have a preferred caterer or more and only work with them

If you choose a buffet-only dinner, consider whether you would want to make some platters for the table(s) of older guests, such as less mobile grandmothers. The local older crowed is generally not a fan of standing and waiting in line to put food on their plates, so this may be a good in-between solution.

7. Tying the knot - wonderful ceremonies

The great thing about an event that lasts a few days is that you can have everyone present for the ceremonies and then the reception.

Legalese

Civil ceremonies on location are possible and legal but it depends on the local mayor ' s office if they want to do it or not You will need to go to the local office 10 days before with a number of documents and health tests, in order to officially schedule your ceremony.

REMEMBER! If one of you is not a native Romanian speaker, you will need an official translator (certified by the Ministry) to translate what the mayor is saying - so that the foreign citizen knows what they are saying YES to :)

Spiritual ceremonies are a little bit more complicated. There are several types possible, depending on your wishes and religion:

Greek Orthodox - the majority of Romanian are G-O. Officially, ceremonies outside of the church are not allowed but there are priests who perform them. Also officially, only marriage between two G-Os is allowed, so one of you may need to do a little conversion ceremony, if wanted. You will also need godparents who have already been religiously married in church before.

Catholic - if one of you is Catholic, the other does not need to convert and the ceremony is officially allowed outside of the church.

Oana Toma

Other religions - every one will have their own conditions Humanist - there are celebrants who lead wonderful ceremonies that are non-denominational

Family or Friend-led - one of your closest guests can also be the one who gives a little speech and performs the ceremony

However you choose - if you choose, of course, because it is not mandatory, make sure you have everything needed. For example, for a Greek Orthodox ceremony you will need not only your rings, but also two large candles, a bottle of red wine, two glasses and sponge fingers (pișcoturi). Make sure you ask and prepare ahead so that there is nothing to stress about right before the ceremony.

If you have bridesmaids or if you want your nieces (or children) to take part, make sure you rehearse and everyone knows what they need to do. Will you have ribbons (cocarde) or flower corsages? What will your bouquet look like? Plan ahead and budget for everything (money and time).

If your event is a two or three day affair, you can choose to spread out the ceremonies. For example, you can sign the papers on Friday and then have a dinner and dance and on Saturday have the religious ceremony and the reception. You can also choose to have them one right after the other, if you would rather not have several outfits or if important guests can not arrive on the first day.

Whatever the schedule, make sure you add time for photos with everyone at the end - everyone will expect to congratulate you personally at the end and take a photo with you.

On the Wedding Guide site you can also find, as part of the Bundle, a document outlining different types of schedules, that you can adapt to your venue and wishes.

Only after you finish this part you will be able to go and take photos the two of you, as newlyweds, before the big party of the night.

Some couples prefer, because of bureaucracy, to do the civil ceremony in the country they are living in. Sometimes it takes a long time to get the papers you will need in order to apply for the marriage license in Romania or you would just rather have it already registered in the UK (for example), and not go through this process after your destination wedding.

Including at least one ceremony is a wonderful way to make the destination wedding very special, even if you have already actually been married for a while. It is one of those (teary-eyed) moments that everyone that loves you wants to see and one that you will most probably want to share with your dearest.

Neededdocumentsformarriage

Between Romanians your IDs (original and copy)

birth certificate of both of you (original and copy)

Certificat Prenuptial - an official set of health tests, valid for 14 days

if previously married, the documentation from the divorce or death of spouse a declaration that neither of you knows of any reason you could not get married Romanian & Foreigner depending on your nationality, you will need to prove that you are not already married and that you can get married in Romania. This is possible in different ways, it is very important to check on a case by case basis.

For a full set of documents needed, contact the appropriate Mayor’s office. You will need to drop off the documents exactly 10 days before the ceremony.

If any or both of the ceremonies will happen on location - at the venue where you will also have the party, you will need to see where exactly they can happen, if there is more than one place and what can be provided by the location: seating, an arch, a table? Your florist and designer should also be able to help with logistics that you prefer: a certain type of chair or a beautiful arch or flower setting in which to say YES.

If you choose a church, ask beforehand what is possible for you to bring and set-up in advance.

Leah Flores / Stocksy

8. The golden ticket: Communication

There is nothing more important in planning and executing a complex event than communication. It starts with you, the couple: talking and expressing yourselves to understand and decide what you both wish for your wedding.

Here are other moments communication is key, along the planning journey: creating a clear "brief" of what you want your event to be, so that you and/or your wedding planner to be able to come up with good options for venue, schedule and style - and not waste time

1. discussing the conditions and having everything be very clear with the venue

2. having clear signed contracts with the venue and all vendors (what is included, how many hours, what happens after that number of hours, schedules, etc)

3 coming up with a list of guests to invite that you are both ok with

4. inviting everyone and making it clear what, when and where and what they are expected to cover in terms of cost / organising (transportation, accommodation, others). An event website may help a lot with the FAQs and have the information be there permanently

5. having a clear schedule of events (check-in/out, hair & make-up, ceremonies, meals, reception, party) and dress codes and making them very clear

6. keeping everyone informed in case of changes

7. knowing who is coming and if there is anything you can do to help. Understand their expectations and see how you can either mitigate them or fulfil them

8. re-checking two weeks before the event with all of the vendors and guests whether they are coming and if everything is ok

10.

9. sending the venue and the planner all of the information you can think of and they request, in a timely manner, so that they can plan accordingly

Why is it so important to have everyone kept so in-the-loop?

First of all, the location that you have chosen for your wedding already means that your guests have gone out of their way (literally) to be able to be present. This means they have not only spent money for it, but also maybe took vacation days from work, have had to ensure childcare, had to figure out outfits for different events on different days, etc. Some have had to give up a desired vacation in order to be able to come to your wedding!

Having them as your guests means you will be responsible for providing them with a nice experience, showing them gratitude for their time and care that they are showing towards you and your significant other.

Informing everyone very clearly upfront of what is happening and what is expected of them makes it easier for them to plan efficiently ahead: get tickets, budget, ask for days off from work or school, set up babysitting, etc.

When it comes to the venue and the vendors, having a clear-cut plan and following it means that they too will be able to set-up their resources, before and during the event, in order to provide you with the best experience. They will need to know the schedule, the desired menus, if there are people with special needs or special dietary needs, if they need to bring on extra staff in order to fulfil your scheduling requirements. Any and all information is welcome.

For example, sometimes brides or a parent unloads some decorations from the car and leave it in the reception, with no indication when and where to set it up. They don't have a plan for it either and neither they or the florist do not mention anything about it until the end of the event. Then, at the end, they are disappointed that the decor was not used.

In this situation, it would be ideal for extra items to be either discussed with the florist and be left in their care - as designers of the space - or for someone in the bridal party to be in charge of setting it up where it's needed, even with help from us.

Not asking guests about special menus and telling the caterer as everyone is sitting down that you will need two gluten free, one lactose free and one gluten free menu is also bound to make everyone very stressed, including your guests that will either have their dinner arrive very late or not at all.

Another potential problem is not signing contracts and having clear understandings with vendors. This may mean sometimes that they do not show up or have written down the wrong day or get lost on the way - all of these things easily happen, especially when only communicating over the phone and just calling to let them know of a time change or venue change. Event vendors tend to be very busy and driving a lot, so a simple verbal communication is oftentimes forgotten and not written down. Do not risk being stood up or having to come up with last-minute solutions for a priest, photographer or ceremony translator.

The awkward money conversation. Choose what you will be covering and what expectations you have of your closest ones and other guests when it comes to money. You can communicate on your wedding website, on the Whatsapp/Telegram wedding chat or by e-mail to everyone if it is a no-money gift allowed party, if you have a honeymoon fund that they can contribute to, if you will cover the party but not the accommodation, etc. If you expect or need your families to contribute more in order for your dream event to be able to take place, discuss in advance what sum you need and when.

9. Turn it into a great trip

When guests come from all over the world, it's a pity not to showcase more of what this beautiful country has to offer. If everyone is from outside of Romania, why not offer the option to add on a few days in order to explore villages, medieval cities or the Danube Delta?

Guests who will travel hours and hours from their home to your party will surely appreciate the opportunity to also spend relaxing time and visit new places. This is a great opportunity to give them some options, by organising a fun tour yourselves or give them the contact of your planner or a tourist agency that can help them plan something based on the number of days they have and type of trip they are looking for.

Itineraryoption

If your wedding is in Transylvania, you can add a visit to Brasov, Sighisoara or the UNESCO heritage village of Viscri or Turda Salt Mine. Or perhaps, a bear watching experience or a visit to Corvinilor Castle or historical Alba Iulia. Bran, "Dracula's Castle" and the royal palace of Peles are also very popuar. After visiting the surroundings, you can also add a day in Bucharest, to visit the main sights before heading out of Otopeni airport.

If your wedding is in Bucharest or in the southern region, you can add a visit to the Dealu Mare wineries, the Delta Dunarii biosphere or the Black Sea.

Pia Klodi / Stocksy

Trinette Reed / Stocksy

How to plan a successful pre or post wedding trip

In my experience, the nice thing to do, especially with groups so small as destination wedding parties tend to be, is to let everyone know there is the option of adding on to the party days. There is nothing worse than hearing, after having traveled 12 hours to be there for 48 hours: "Ah, we are staying for another week with a group to visit, the bride organised it" or "This trip has been amazing already, we ' ve been here having fun for 4 days already". Having the option to refuse and being in the loop is much better than getting disappointed that you were only wanted there for a few hours, despite your great effort to be present.

But what if I don't want to travel around with 50 people?

That is a fair question! First of all, reconsider whether or not you want some people at your wedding at all. Then, if you do want to retreat after the wedding with just your family or the closest friends, let's say 10 people total, I would be honest and communicate (see point 8). I would offer everyone a way to easily plan a trip themselves or choose between a couple of options. Then, when asked whether you will be joining any of the options, say that you will probably be continuing on with your spouse and maybe a few people to just relax after the party, giving no further explanations.

The bigger picture

I have seen quite often the bride and groom and their gang continue on for a week, but abroad, to Greece or Italy, for example. Another option is to travel just with your new wife or husband directly to your honeymoon or a postwedding trip. It all depends on your personalities, wishes and budgets.

10.Stress-freeBudgeting

One of the biggest stress factors of a wedding is the budget How much will it cost? How will you be able to cover it? My main tip is to have a spreadsheet or a notebook where you keep track of all of the offers and costs in order to be able to know, at any point in time, what your total cost will be. The worst thing is, on your wedding night or the week coming up to the party, to be stressed because you do not know what payments you still have to make or what they will add up to.

My best tips for budgeting for your wedding:

1. Do some mental math. What I mean here is brainstorm with your significant other how much you would be willing and comfortable to spend on this event. Wedding budgets are a very personal decision, no matter your bank account. Guests at Romanian weddings are generally expected to leave a money gift at the end - the sum depends on their income, their relationship to you and their appreciation of your wedding You can choose whether or not you want to accept money You can also make the decision, based on how much money you think you will receive in gifts, whether or not you want to spend it all, add to it or have some left at the end.

2. Once you have an approximate idea of your ideal budget, find out what your dream wedding would really cost, or how far your budget will take you. If you have not planned a wedding until now or have no idea of what the market prices are for venues, catering, planners and other vendors, start by asking a few offers or hiring a planner for the initial details about what you can expect in terms of costs.

3. Depending on how far your ideal wedding is from your ideal budget, you will need to make some decisions. You can either choose to give up on one or the other, or meet somewhat halfway - have a smaller wedding, increase the wedding budget, give up the band, etc.

4. Start planning as early as possible in order to choose venues and vendors you prefer and have enough time to save money or plan for the payments.

5 Plan a wedding you will not regret This can mean two things: on one hand, not going overboard on some things that may not matter too much in the grand scheme of things. On another hand, to splurge on things that will make you smile on the day of but also years afterwards. I have seen, in my years of experience, plenty of examples. For some couples, it may be most important to have great entertainment and give their guests the experience of a lifetime - but less important to have amazing flower decorations. For others, it may be a gourmet menu, but not a videographer Some decide that a photographer is not a priority at all but prefer to add fun activities for their friends throughout the days. Think of what really represents you both and what is most important.

A note about wedding dresses. Some brides may not think twice about wearing a 50-200 euro dress, while others have dreamt an entire life of that 3-6000+ euro creation. Only you know whether this is a purchase you can justify with inner joy, keep as an heirloom or later resell

6. Think out of the box. Consider celebrating on Friday, Sunday, or any other weekdays. We often host Wednesday-Friday weddings or Sunday to Tuesday. In this way, you'll find vendors who are otherwise not free or have much better rates, including very sought-after options.

7 Don't have unrealistic expectations Oftentimes, photos off of Pinterest are sent off to the decorators for a quote. After the e-mail comes in, the future bride and groom find out how expensive it is to have a Pinterest-worthy wedding! Fresh-cut flowers, huge arrangements, intricate photo panels, custom made items and choices that need many people to move and large trucks to move around. Don't waste your time or the vendors' time and make sure you discuss options and budgets ahead.

8. Think local. Local flowers, local vendors, local inspiration. Bringing together the advantage of the already existing beautiful environment you chose for your event and choosing Romanian or suppliers from the area will not only make your entire event more authentic, but also more budget friendly and will support the economy. A band or photographer flown in from the UK or France could be amazing, but make sure there isn't an option you will enjoy as much already in the country. You can also think about a Romanian designer for your wedding dress, the bridesmaids' dresses or the groom ' s suit. There are amazing designers out there and the costs may be significantly lower than an internationally known designer, even for a fully custom made option.

9 Don't forget to take all costs into consideration Make-up and Hair trials, dancing lessons, tips, overtime, VAT, transportation, vendor overnight accommodation, everything that ultimately you will have to (or want to) pay. Depending on your contract and situation, you may be able to pay the menus for guests that did not show up, or a minimum of menus, just to be able to book the venue. I know of someone who went to 7 (SEVEN) hair & make-up trials just to end up doing her own beauty. I have also seen a fair share of doing the math wrong and having to deal with unplanned debt (and stress) at the end of the party

10. Shopping fever. Getting excited for your wedding and buying everything you see online that may look fun as a decoration? Straws, table numbers, signs, fun photo props, several custom cake toppers.... some of these make sense, but first make sure the fit your theme, if you can just rent them from your decor vendor and if you will be able to carry them back and forth to the venue, considering it is probably quite far away from your home

11. Wedding Favours - Decide whether you want to gift your guests at the end with a physical memory of your celebration. Consider that they also need the space and weight allowance (and liquid allowance!) to be able to transport it back to their country. You can either think of a donation in their name, something digital or nothing at all, if you prefer to take that sum and add it to a different category (a quartet, a taco bar, a better photographer)

12. Set your boundaries. In planning such an event, there will be no shortage of family members and friends that will either push for one thing or the other. This can be very stressful but also costly: inviting guests that you do not want (and paying for them) just because your parents are insisting, going on bachelor/bachelorette trips that fit (or not) your budget or style, being pushed by a vendor or planner into a decision you are not comfortable with... some of these things may be the right thing and a lovely source of memories, but some will just bring frustration. Make sure you know where to draw the line.

WEDDING PLANNERS INTERVIEWS

HERE ARE FOUR INTERVIEWS WITH EXPERIENCED DESTINATION WEDDING PLANNERS IN ROMANIA FIND OUT WHAT THEIR PROCESS IS AND WHY WEDDINGS ARE SO SPECIAL TO THEM.

Wedding Planner InterviewBlaga Events

WHO ARE YOU?

I am a simple woman with a very complicated mind, that’s why the name of my company is so simple :) I am Alexandra Blaga, the owner of Blaga Events, a Bucharest based company producing events all over the world.

HOW DID YOU START WEDDING PLANNING?

I started by planning my own wedding and the one of a friend, but both got cancelled. My background is working as an event assistant in the Bucharest office of an international events agency I have worked in planning events for brands and international companies. All of the events were very creative, with big budgets, a lot of responsibilities and with procedures for everything.

WHY DO YOU LOVE DESTINATION WEDDINGS?

I think that my lifestyle is in alignment with this job that chose me. For a long time now, my lifestyle revolves around loving, traveling, eating well, admiring beauty and art, and overall living in a meaningful and beautiful way Over the past years, I moved the business first more outside Bucharest and then more and more abroad. I enjoy the process a lot: it is more challenging, it involves more creativity and creative solutions, and it als i d li

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TELL US ABOUT ONE FAVORITE WEDDING YOU HAVE PLANNED

I’ve loved all of my weddings, but now, I think it's the one that I am producing this year in Tuscany for an amazing couple The future bride is a successful entrepreneur in a decor & lifestyle business, we ' ve had great chemistry from the first meeting and we were in perfect sync in all of the decisions for the event. This wedding is aligned very much with my lifestyle and my way of working, putting a great emphasis on the attention to detail from the cutlery choice, to the champagne selection and a very, very thorough preparation.

I am sure it will be an amazing event

One of my most memorable weddings in Romania was last year, when I managed a 50 person team; this was not even the challenging part: the entire event was planned in less than 6 months and it involved building a venue from scratch, in a parking lot. In the end, it was one of the greatest events that I have produced, and one that I cherish a lot today. A Matisse painting can easily describe this event

Still, even after ten years in events, I find perfection to be utopia.

WHAT IS YOUR PROCESS FOR PLANNING A WEDDING?

I have a "rule": I never close a contract before meeting my clients, to see and feel if we have a connection Even if it’s business, for me this is very important

After creating the brief, I start with the scouting for venues, visiting the ones that made it on the shortlist and choosing THE one

I make a list of vendors, based on my clients desires and the vision I created for their wedding day(s) and we make the selection. It is then a process of negotiating, contracting, making sure that everything is OK and everyone is aligned, following a pre-event calendar

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WHAT IS YOUR PROCESS FOR PLANNING A WEDDING?

One month before the wedding day or days (because when we talk about destination weddings, it's usually a 2 or 3 days event) everything has to be clear, perfectly organised and ”spotless” Of course that most of the times something new and unexpected will appear, but in a way I always plan for ”surprises” as well.

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN DESTINATION WEDDING PLANNING, IN YOUR OPINION?

Making and keeping a great connection with the venue management and also with the vendors

WHAT IS YOUR BEST TIP FOR BUDGETING SUCH AN EVENT?

Simplifying and cutting the budget. And I am being honest. For the best results, I am helping my clients to identify their priorities - what is the most important for them, in order to feel that their event was perfect I think that this is the most important part of the planning, allowing me to align their wishes and budget with the reality of the market from the destination wedding area/country. Also, another tip in everything wedding related is the open communication & sincerity in the planner-client relationship.

To answer to your question more simply, I am cutting down on what is not necessary. For almost all the projects that I am involved in, we actually have a margin of 10% for raising the budget.

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