I’m Aleksandra Kiec and I’m your lead planner and CEO at Direction Events. I have 10+ years currently in the wedding and hospitality industry, I help soulmate-level couples plan their dream weddings in Stunning Grand Cayman
LET'S CONNECT!
Congratulations you are getting married!
This is such an exciting time in your life, and I am sure you can’t wait to get started on all of the planning. Already you must be thinking what is the perfect wedding location for you.
In the beginning, we take anywhere from minutes to hours, to days to be over the moon, crazy ecstatic that we are engaged and then we switch right into wedding planning mode.
Where are we going to get married? Who will we invite? What will it look it? All the ideas and visions and plans start swirling through your head uncontrollably.
This is a great thing, it’s super exciting. Who doesn’t want to plan their dream wedding and share with everyone all the plans they have for the perfect day?
Sometimes couples have already talked about where they are going to get married or what the dream day would look like. Others haven’t even touched the topic and now they are engaged and exploring all that could be for their special day. SUPER EXCITING!
When it comes to planning a lot of people ask me where they should start, what is the most important thing to do first? I don’t really think this is a one answer fits all kind of thing. It’s so different to everyone where the best place to start is.
Don’t get me wrong I can tell you all about budgets and vendor contracts, these will come, but when we are talking about the actual true start of the planning process this is the personal part. This is finding out what really matters to you both and talking about it, writing it down, and getting on the same page.
You will really want to take some time to chat with each other and no one else first to make sure you as a couple are on the same page. That you both know what the perfect day would look like for YOU.
Then you can start talking to others and looking at logistics.
When you take this time … which trust me you should really take this time to talk to each other, discuss the 4 pillars.
It is so important to understand what you both want from all these areas of the wedding. In areas where you are not on the same page, talk about it, find the balance. This is your first task on the road to your marriage, find balance.
Taking this special time and having this openness with each other will make the whole experience so much more stress-free and enjoyable as a couple.
Now that you have chatted these things through and have a good understanding as to what both are looking for it’s time to look at the fun decision of choosing the perfect wedding location for you.
This really is the most exciting time as the world really is your oyster and you can get married anywhere in the world that you desire. It used to be so much more limiting but now getting around is so easy and destination weddings are the norm.
These are things that you will want to consider when you are choosing the perfect location for you:
Now this is not just for you but for your loved ones as well. If you are eloping and it is just the two of you, I think that things like travel time are much less of a constriction but if you are having a wedding and inviting family and friends you will want to consider how big of a trip is too big of a trip.
I personally think that anything 10 hours and under is fair game. Now for some people even this could be challenging so really think about who your guest list would entail and how this would affect them.
Are long travel times doable? Not only physically but for length of stay. If taking a 8-10 hour flight most guests would want to consider taking an extended trip for up to 2 weeks making this their annual holiday. Is that amount of time doable for your guest list?
Also, remember that long hauls can mean time changes and that can mean jet lag. How will this make you and your guests feel? Will this affect timing and your overall wedding day?
2. Are there size capacities?
If you are travelling to a small island do, they have venues that can hold your guest count?
Are there enough accommodations available for everyone?
Is there flight capacity for everyone?
When travelling to other destinations there is not always the capacity to hold larger groups for a weekend or more. You will want to research to make sure that the destination you are looking at has room for your ideal guest count.
For example:
Autocamp Yosemite is a super fun and unique wedding destination venue but they have a capacity of 48 people.
Santa Caterina in the Amalfi coast is stunning but can hold 45 max.
Sassaba Africa– a dream, but can take 25 max.
Now you do not have to stay in a boutique space but before you fall in love with a space make sure it has the capacity for your invite list.
3. What is the local currency?
It is always good to look at the local currency and see what the exchange rate is. This will play a large factor in working with not only your own budget but also understanding if it will make it more expensive and less reasonable for your guests.
Keeping within budget is so important but also having certain things will be important for you so understand if the exchange rate will affect that. In some cases, you will even find it’s in your favour and a great reason to get more bang for your buck. For example- if you live in the states are looking Morocco the exchange is hugely in your favour at .11 to the Moroccan dollar.
4. What are the local logistics?
There are many things logistically that can affect your wedding based on the location. For example, in Paris you need to be in the country for 40 days before you can legally get married there. If it is on your important list to make sure your wedding day is fully legal and binding, then this would not be an option. If you don’t mind getting your actual marriage license before or after in another country, then this can still be on your list.
Some countries don’t allow live music on a Sunday, or ceremonies after sunset or any drinking after midnight.
It is so important to understand the local logistics of where you are considering making sure they work for all of your other dream elements before diving in.
5. What is the local weather like?
If you are set on having a July wedding in some places this will be rainy season or hurricane season so having a wedding outside may not be possible. Depending on the time of year there can be weather restraints that can really affect your big day. If you are specific about wanting a Christmas snow wedding, know the reality of snow in your location.
It is good to know what the local weather locks like to help you either in choosing the location or choosing the perfect date/ time of year to get married.
Great article from Zig Zag on earth all about travel safety
6. How safe is the destination?
Having your wedding should be a memorable time and you should feel nothing but ease and relaxation. Be conscious of how safe the location is that you are looking at and if there are any things you need to know regarding safety.
This can be anything from understanding if the tap water is safe to drink, to local plants and animals that can be dangerous or current political issues that are causing safety issues.
Make sure to check if there are certain vaccinations or medications that are required for certian destinations.
Know your locations risk factors and weigh them out for you and your guests.
7. Can it check most of your boxes?
Take that list you both made of the must haves and don’t cares and see how many of the boxes each location checks. If a sunset ceremony, in the sand, with no humidity in January is your must haves than the Caribbean is going to be the place for you.
If Christmas wedding in the snow with a castle for 400 people to sleep in is your must haves, then Lausanne lakeside castle in Switzerland is the place for you.
If 10 people on adventure safari in the outback off the grid is on your must haves, then Zebra Hill is for you.
There are so many amazing places in the world and you can love them all but you just want to make sure that the destination you choose checks most or all of you must haves list (for both of you).
Chicago Style Weddings – The 9 vendors you cant live without
8. What are the local vendors like?
When having a destination wedding it can be challenging to plan from a far so choosing a destination that has great local vendor support is key. You want to have people with their feet on the ground that you can trust and rely on in order to remove unnecessary stress.
Research who the local vendors are, reach out, see how quick they respond and how helpful the response is.
Always remember to follow your gut and make sure there is a reliable connection.
If having a small intimate venue talk to the venue, they may offer these services. IF not, they will have great planner recommendations. If having a large wedding reach out to a planner or if you find a vendor you love (photographer, florist, make-up artist) reach out and ask them for their recommendations. If you find one person that you love because they are on top of things and make you feel safe odds, are they work with like-minded people.
Finding the right destination may seem like a process but the key to all of this is to make sure that you are enjoying the process. Make it a date night. Order pizza and a bottle of wine and research together. Dream of what your wedding could look like in all different destinations and venues. Its super fun to think about all they could be even if they are not what ends up happening.
If you are so busy and just can’t even think about researching locations don’t stress, there are people that can help you with this. There are many services that help with destination wedding planning and location research., including ourselves. Lets chat about it!
Just know that the perfect location is so personal to you and what you desire as a couple. As well as how it will fit in your overall vision. However, if you take the steps above I am sure you will find the PERFECT wedding location for you, your Hubbs and all of your loved ones.
We would love to know where you are considering. Leave us a comment below on your top picks or where you are getting married, and we will happily share any information we have on your destination.
What Makes Us (Real)Luxury Planners
Unlike most destination wedding planners, we take on a very limited number of weddings and events at a time.
We are not interested in being spread thin and distracted; when we are working on your special day, it needs to be all about you and leave no room to miss anything. While you may think this should be the standard, sadly, it is not. Many planners take on multiple events in a week/ weekend and sometimes even in one day. To us, this is WILD. We cannot imagine not being available for every second of the minutes, hours, days, and weeks leading up to your moment.
We help with the actual planning and design process of your wedding, but we also want you to consider us your confidant and the person you can go to for EVERYTHING; we want no one else to know your wedding vision and you in and out like we do. You, your partner, your friends and your loved ones deserve no stress, no worries about things being done, and no last-minute requests unmet.
Are we your wedding planner? Yes. But we offer so much more than your standard planning services. Support on every level is necessary to ensure that everything is exactly as you desire.
From the initial contact, we'll take the time to fully understand your unique relationship. Your design and esthetic desires are fundamental to us, but we also want to know what makes you unique as a couple and what we can do to ensure you are taken care of on a deeper level. This is how we will make your Cayman Islands destination wedding truly yours and a one-of-a-kind personalized, luxury experience.
When it comes to the actual planning, this is, of course, also a very key component. It's great if you are happy and relaxed and enjoying a personalized service, but we still need to get you married and have the party of a lifetime to enjoy.
Naturally, you want nothing but the best ( we feel the same), which is why you would chose us as your wedding planner.
When it comes to all the magical pieces and moments, we are the puppet master of your private show. However, while we do as much as humanely possible on our end, other vendors play a significant role in making your event perfect. This is where our expertise, strong vendor relationships, and impeccable judgment come in. You can rely on us entirely to know who is the right fit for your style and vibe. Our years of experience have allowed us to meet numerous professionals who excel in their work, and we have weeded out the average and created the rooster you need for a flawless, stress-free experience. We offer the best and only work with others who do the same because our clients deserve nothing less.
What else, you ask? (oh, there is SO much more, but we will name just a few key elements that we believe make all the difference)
1) We understand that life can be overwhelming, and the last thing you want is to be bogged down by the details of an event you should be enjoying. No more endless back-and-forth emails or lengthy phone calls. We've got it all covered, so you can relax and look forward to your celebration.
But just because you dont want to be apart of every menial detail doesnt mean you dont want to be involved (thats also stressful). That's why we offer the beauty of your digital portal, where we update all the planning details and keep everything streamlined and in one place.
You are always aware and updated on the many things happening behind the scenes, but we want you to feel there are never any last-minute surprises and that you can check in whenever the time is convenient. That is why we include every aspect that goes into your celebration in your portal to keep you in the loop and ensure you know everything is taken care of and precisely as you desire. And honestly, it's just fun to see all the pretty details coming together and the magic that goes into your unique celebration.
2) We are actually full-service, inclusive of everything. There is nothing we don't manage for you, including designing and managing your wedding website and supporting your guests in anything they may need while getting to the island or on the island.
Now...this is where people start to worry, does this mean I need to have an unlimited budget?
3) Although we're luxury wedding planners, that doesn't mean we don't consider your budget. We're very mindful that every dollar counts, but we also don't want you to compromise at any point. What makes us stand out is our dedication to your investment. We work our magic and provide recommendations to give you a premium experience while staying reasonable regarding your funds.
We are honest about what things cost, where we think you should best allocate your money, and how to get the best bang for your buck. We believe part of a luxury experience is being able to manage your funds accordingly, not incur unnecessary costs on certain things, but spend money in the right place. A healthy budget is key but we respect that money and we are not making choices for personal gain or disregard for the big picture.
What About The Execution
It all sounds fabulous but what about the actual wedding events?
In the two weeks leading up to your wedding, you start to feel all the feels; the time is here. Some couples may be stressed out and worried about what will come next, but not you. Why, you ask? Because you know for 1000% fact everything has been taken care of, nothing has not been covered, and you know that for anything that arises ( as things do ), you are not alone, and we have got you covered. We are not just with you on the day but with you leading up to and after the big day.
The moment you arrive on the island, we start with our pre-wedding meeting, where we go over everything one last time in detail. You sip a tropical cocktail while we do so. It's time to unwind and get in the mood to celebrate. After the big day, what are you doing? Reliving every magical detail and soaking in the glory of all that has been. Why? Because we are still working to make sure everything is covered so you dont need to, just because the day is over does not mean we are finished.
Now, we won't lie. It's not uncommon for unexpected dramas to arise. Sometimes, the weather may not work in our favor, your attire might tear, and missing or damaged items (which happens surprisingly often) might nip a bud in our original plan. But trust us when we say there is absolutely nothing to worry about. We always have a backup plan (or 5) set in place. Whether it's a last-minute rain plan, a handmade sign whipped up ( but still looking fabulous), a drunk aunt being shown to "the special room just for her," or a cocktail and a laugh to take the edge off, we've got you covered. You dont even need to know about half the BS that is going on, we are there to take care and you are there to enjoy every moment.
What about on the actual wedding day (or all event days, because lets be honest this should be at least a three-day extravaganza), we'll be the first ones to arrive on the scene and the last ones to leave, wrangling every unwanted drama.
We are on the clock for you, your guests, and anyone you want us to care for. Anything that comes up will be immediately addressed so your experience goes smoothly. We take care of ALL the drama so you dont need to.
The actual "luxury" -no bullshit, no drama, no stress!
The Truth of A Luxury Destination Location
(its different than your local wedding experience)
Maybe we are biased, but we believe having a destination wedding in the Caribbean is unlike anything else!
Instagram-worthy settings are practically everywhere you turn, and the sun, sand, and waters are 'tres romantique.' However, even though it is very beautiful, we all know we want much more than sand on a beach for our wedding. Many elements go into pulling off a flawless design-forward, make your friends jealous of the destination wedding experience. There are a lot of complexities that go into that process, and one missed step and it goes from your picture-perfect wedding experience to your friend down-the-streets potluck extravaganza.
Having a destination wedding in the Cayman Islands can involve a lot of logistics. We are not just talking about the venue, vendor choices, and the song you want to play for your first dance; we are talking about every tiny detail, from the scent in the air to the perfectly executed fireworks display and all the random local laws you need to work around.
Of course, it is possible to do this by yourself, but it can be a tedious, stressful (and sometimes a down right annoying) process that doesn't allow you to be pampered, spoiled, and thoroughly enjoyed as you should be.
Yes, a luxury planner will help you design stunning decor, mouthwatering menus, rock-your-socks-off entertainment, and so much more, but a true luxury planner ( not just a name we label ourselves as) will make sure there is no stone unturned not only on the wedding day but with every detail leading up to a DESTINATION wedding including a private seat on the plane just for your dress, welcome bags for all your guests, electolytes for the heat, last minute tan line fixes and much, much more!
Now Why Chose A (real) Luxury Planner
(especially in a destination location)
The big question is, why wouldnt you chose a (real) luxury planner?
Considering your affinity for the finer things in life, an average "luxury" wedding planner won’t do the trick. You need someone who will guide you throughout the entire process, see your vision through your eyes, go above and beyond to realize it, and inform you about even the tiniest details about the most special day of your life ( without boring you with unnecessary details).
You see, all of us wedding planners have unique traits that make them special. Some have a predetermined selection of venues and vendors, assuring you this is just what you need, yet disregarding your vision. Others promise you the wedding of a lifetime. While they may deliver the initial moments, the second the kiss is sealed, and bottles are popped, they flee the scene in the blink of an eye (umm, who is going to clean up at the end of the night? Let alone make sure your hotel room is clean, scented and with bubbles and your gifts awaiting).
These things make us shudder with fear.. who could do that?
A (real) luxury wedding planner will promise to achieve precisely what you’re looking for and vastly exceed your expectations!
Want to know what this experience could be like? Hop on a discovery call and experience for yourself the (real) luxury of having a destination wedding in the Cayman Islands.
The Final Scene
Remember how we said we’d be the last to leave the show? We do mean it! Unwanted situations can arise at the worst possible moments, but luckily, you’ll have us as your luxury Caribbean wedding planners in your corner to swiftly take care of them. Also, once all the festivities are over, you’ll want to return to a serene environment to savor your newlywed bliss and revel in the magnificence that just happened. Normally, your wedding suite will most likely be messy, considering all the planning you’ve done, but that’s not the case with us. As previously mentioned, we handle all the small details, even those as tiny as cleaning up your hotel room. We want you to have a truly exquisite experience, which is why we’ll work our best to deliver it. After all, you deserve it!
So, what’s the takeout? Simply know that we care – not just for you, but for every member involved in your special day. We’re not a company that just wants to take your money, organize a subpar celebration, and call it a day. On the contrary, we take great pleasure in our work, which is why our clients always have a uniquely-tailored astounding wedding. We’re unlike any other luxury Caribbean wedding planner, so rest assured that your celebration will be precisely as you’ve envisioned.
Finally, take the time to understand exactly what we bring to the table fully. Are we the perfect fit for you? Do we offer everything you have hoped for and more? Do you believe we’re the right people to turn your extraordinary wedding vision into reality? If the answer to all of this is ‘yes’, contact us, and let’s start planning your most iconic event. Together, we’ll create a wedding that exceeds even your wildest expectations.