How to Plan the Best Site Inspection
Do it if you can do (afford / make time for) it!
Planning an Indian destination wedding is no easy job. Something we hear often is that it’s hard for our couples to truly grasp how the resort looks and feels. Of course our tours, previous wedding albums, and videos are amazing, but nothing beats seeing it in person. If you are thinking that walking down the aisle without ever having seen that aisle previously is nerve wracking, then site inspections are a definite YES. If you can afford the trip (both the cost and the time), don’t hesitate.
Sejal and her bridesmaids having a wonderful time in paradise! After their site inspection, they knew exactly where to recommend their guests to eat and drink all weekend! Courtesy of Sea & Love Wedding Films
Totally different purposes, but both types of inspections are helpful
There are two types of site inspections: (1) a pre-contract site inspection trip which involves visiting many venues in a short period of time to get just a taste and (2) a planning visit to the resort you already chose which involves mostly tastings and vendor meetings! Today, we are referring to both!
Site inspections (or planning visits) are a great way to not only get familiar with the staff and vendors but also it helps you visualize exactly what it is that you want for your big day! A site inspection is a walk through of potential venues while a planning visit is a more detailed sit down with all the team members that will help your Indian destination wedding be a dream come true (including your included certified Indian wedding planner from the resort as well as your team of all star South Asian destination wedding vendors). These visits allow you to actually see the space itself, ask more detailed questions (get your lists ready!!!!!) and honestly, it allows you to make sure that what you have seen and read online is for reals.
All the benefits to be had by investing 3-4 days in paradise before saying “I do”
Wondering what you can accomplish on your slice of paradise trip? Other than a fun mini vacation and being able to get some time under the sun, these trips offer so many benefits:
Loved this boardwalk baraat for Sonam and Hiren at Royalton Riviera Cancun! Courtesy of Jonathan Cossu Photography
BENEFIT ONE - Experience the Process from A-Z
Right as you land in destination for the first time, there is something to learn. You will carefully navigate the process of going through customs, immigration, and purposefully walking past the timeshare salesmen to find a safe haven in your transfer service arranged by Shaadi Destinations. By experiencing how easy and safe your guests will have it when they arrive for your wedding day, you will properly be able to put them at ease! Guests may have a ton of questions for you when it comes to accommodations and transportation. With you being able to experience it all beforehand, you will be able to deal with every question they throw your way (which honestly will bring a lot of peace of mind to you moving forward). You’ll understand what goes on from the minute you arrive at the airport until it’s time for you to get back home. Getting to see what service is like at the Resort will also give you the opportunity to give some constructive feedback to make your Indian destination wedding perfect!
Richa and Rishi’s site inspection trip allowed them to get this stunning engagement shoot done in Tulum! Courtesy of Sweet Caribbean Photography
BENEFIT TWO - Get to Know Your Vendors
One of our secrets for successful wedding planning is to create and maintain good relationships with your team of vendors! From mehndi artists to hairstylists, live entertainment and audiovisual, decor company and even fireworks if you wanted to - each detail will add up to create the most amazing and memorable experience for you. It’s very important to make some time to sit with them all and really explain what your vision is. Clear and effective communication will take you anywhere you want to go! At a recent Shaadi Destinations wedding (literally 3 days ago), our relationship with the vendor resulted in complimentary cold fireworks as a surprise for the bride as she cut her wedding cake on stage! Being able to ask whatever questions may come to mind in person will bring a lot of reassurance to you and your family. You will get to see and discuss catalogs and pricing, you will talk about layouts and what is needed to bring your vision to reality, and of course you will learn to trust the process even more!
Curious about how the mendhi services are in destination? Feel free to have your wedding coordinator arrange a mehndi trial during your site inspection! Courtesy of Sea & Love Wedding Films
BENEFIT THREE - Decor, Mocked-Up
It’s very difficult at times to imagine what your decorations will look like. We highly recommend working on a decor proposal prior to your trip so you can select your favorite options for each event and then being able to see it all come together during your site inspection trip. From seating arrangements for your ceremony to table setups for reception - make sure you explore all of your options until you find the one you’re absolutely in love with. You will get the opportunity to get more details such as actual floor plans with dimensions to reassure you that you know what the space will look like. It’s important to look at color combinations and small little details such as candles and silverware. Be in no doubt that you are making all the right choices as you will be making these out of what you see in the moment. Take lots and lots of pictures and share with your wedding planner. This way, the chances of any mistakes come down to zero.
Ruchi and Eric had a blast at their site inspection engagement shoot at TRS Yucatan! They even got to interview their photographer and make-up artist before deciding on husband and wife Andre Gouin and Sandra Carolina; Courtesy of Andre Gouin Photography
BENEFIT FOUR - Getting Comfortable with Your Venues (and the Back-Ups!)
This trip is not only about getting familiar with your selected venues but also the chance to see what your assigned backup location looks like and what could you do to turn it into a breathtaking space for your wedding events if it rains. Envisioning how you can make use of your chosen decor across both your primary and secondary venues will save you stress and time when urgency matters most on the day of!
Site inspections allow couples the chance to explore all the venues and make decisions on how and where to make special memories like this one; courtesy of Button Up Photography
BENEFIT FIVE - Never Too Early to Make Friends
This is the perfect opportunity to really create a good relationship with your resort’s wedding planner. We can’t tell you how important this is. Your planner will be your sidekick throughout the whole experience! Make sure you communicate exactly what it is that you’re looking for, what your priorities are, and also what concerns you the most. This will also be your chance to start making friends with the resort’s staff. Bartenders, waiters - even hostesses at the different restaurants available. We assure you that they will provide you with an even better experience the day of and you will feel extremely well taken care of. It’s always a fun experience to come back to a resort and be greeted by old friends!
The more time you give yourself to explore your venue, the more opportunities you have to find all the best photo spots for the big day! Courtesy of Cristina Civallero Photo
BENEFIT SIX - A Dash of Salt and a Pinch of Spice
We understand that food is most times a top priority for our couples. Site inspections allow for a great excuse to indulge in delicious desi food in paradise. This is your time to try all the items that caught your eye on the menu! We are talking sangeet food stations, mehndi appetizers, ceremony breakfast, cocktail hors d'oeuvres, reception dinner options, and your quintessential cake tasting (and of course, signature cocktails as well!!!). It’s very important that you get to really taste what your guests will be having during your wedding events. Spice level, flavors… everything’s important. Make your notes and let your wedding coordinator and the chef know if there’s anything you’d like them to revise. Lastly, if you have time to try all the yummy restaurants on property, we always recommend you select your favorite items and share them with your guests so they don’t have to experiment with the menu once they arrive!
Make-up trials are essential to providing your all star vendor team all the feedback they need to be able to pull off your dream looks during your wedding week; courtesy of Romanza Photography
BENEFIT SEVEN - Picture Perfect
Our last benefit of site inspections might be the best benefit! How could you go wrong with a beautiful engagement photoshoot with your photographer without the distraction of your three hundred guests looking on? This is the perfect opportunity to get dolled up, invite your wedding photographer and makeup artist over, and get an amazing shoot done on the beach or maybe in a different venue like a cenote! Plus, it gives you the chance to give notes to your hair and makeup team as well as your photographer on what worked and what didn’t!
Final thoughts here… Site inspections are amazing. When you are ready, don’t hesitate to reach out to your Shaadi Destinations team - we are here to help you secure the best site inspection rate and promotions available and will coordinate your on-the-ground logistics including airport transfers and more! We have planned hundreds of site inspections and are ready to plan yours today.
With so many flavors of Pani Puri shots to choose from, how can you pick without a trial? Tastings are a GREAT reason to come down to paradise before your wedding day; courtesy of Dean Sanderson Weddings
Shaadi Destinations is the premier, award winning, modern-day destination wedding travel agency for South Asian couples seeking a streamlined process, incredible experiences, and a party friends and family will never forget! We save our couples thousands of dollars while throwing them the wedding festivities dreams are made of.
We live and breathe destination weddings - with just one consultation, you will be light years ahead in your destination wedding planning process. In less than one week, Shaadi Destinations will find you the most perfect resort that meets your needs, your budget, and your desires. With our vendor relationships and pre-negotiated exclusive perks at resorts across Mexico and the Caribbean, we are confident we can find exactly what you are looking for. You'll find we have the best rates, best incentives, and best booking experience.
