Destination weddings are inherently magical. The allure of tying the knot in a breathtaking location is irresistible for many couples. Recently, I had the privilege of attending the Engage!24 Amelia Island — The Luxury Wedding Business Summit, where top wedding planners, designers, florists, photographers, stationers and industry experts gathered to share insights, inspiration and ideas.

You might be curious how a business summit could impact your upcoming destination wedding, but the insights gained from this prestigious event are both significant and abundant.

Select a Great Venue

The venue is the cornerstone of any destination wedding. At Engage!, the emphasis is always on finding venues that not only offer stunning beauty, hospitality and flexibility but embody the essence of the location. The host property was The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island and they seamlessly encompassed all of these characteristics and more. This luxurious oceanfront resort is situated along Florida’s pristine Atlantic Ocean coastline. Known for its timeless elegance and world-class service, what sets it apart as a wedding venue is its versatile event spaces. From grand ballrooms and sprawling oceanfront lawns to their stunning indoor/outdoor spaces, The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island allows couples to customize their celebration in every way. The property’s secluded beachfront, lush gardens and serene ambiance create a romantic backdrop for any destination wedding celebration. 

Pro Tip: Choose a venue like The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island that has flexibility and a proven track record for hosting events. Partnering with experienced staff ensures that your wedding day will go off without a hitch. Engage! has partnered with a Ritz-Carlton property eight times since its inception in 2008 to host their summits and they know a thing or two about finding a great venue! 

Give Useful Items in Your Welcome Bags

Welcome bags are a wonderful way to greet your guests and set the tone for your destination wedding. At Engage!, the “welcome bags” are one of the draws of this famed event. Every item included stressed the importance of practicality paired with local flair. From the colorway of the bags themselves to the coordinating gifts inside, attendees were treated to everything from local snacks and handy travel essentials, wellness and beauty items as well as helpful necessities like pashminas, pullovers, and beach blankets. 

For your own welcome bags, consider including items like reusable water bottles, local artisan souvenirs and snacks unique to the destination, such as macadamia nuts in Hawaii or olive oil from Italy.

Pro Tip: Include a detailed itinerary, maps, and even language tips if you’re hosting your wedding in a foreign country. Thoughtful touches like these help guests feel cared for and prepared.

Lean Into the Destination

Leaning into the locale’s unique charm can elevate the experience, creating a celebration that feels both authentic and unforgettable. At Engage! Amelia Island, the resort’s idyllic coastal setting was the perfect inspiration for food and decor that embraced the island’s essence. 

They included culinary offerings featuring fresh, local ingredients like wild-caught shrimp, oysters, and other seafood delicacies from nearby waters, paired with seasonal produce and Southern-inspired flavors. One of my favorite events they hosted at Engage! took place at Amelia River Club and was a Low Country Boil complete with delectable food stations, signature drinks and traditional cuisine. Set on a marsh, this indoor/outdoor venue allowed for guests to enjoy the setting sun before moving inside for a family-style dinner. 

Pro Tip: Offer a sampling station where guests can experience iconic dishes from the region. It’s interactive, memorable, and delicious.

The decor on this one was a showstopper and one way you can really lean into your destination. Nicki Korman of Collins Korman Events (who was responsible not just for this event, but served as the Creative Director for the entire Engage!24 Amelia Island Summit) partnered with TPD Design House (whose paper goods, branding, menus and signage were integrated throughout the entire event as well) and Anything With Plants for the floral design. Every element of this event wove in the spirit of Amelia Island. Drawing on the island’s natural beauty by incorporating coastal elements such as driftwood accents, abundant soft-colored florals and sea grass, the decor echoed the surroundings authentically.

Pro Tip: Leaning into the destination when it comes to the floral design can not only create a more sustainable event but can save on cost and shipping by using local plants and flowers. 

Always Have a Solid Plan B

While destination weddings are often blessed with natural beauty, nature can sometimes surprise you. One of the key lessons from the Engage! Amelia Island Summit was to always be prepared for the unexpected, which of course, they were. One of the evenings, nature decided to bless us with a bit of a rain shower and low temperatures. In order to keep the event outside on the lawn as planned, Beach View Event Rentals constructed a tent that was not just temperature-controlled and beautiful, but large enough to house all 410 attendees. 

Pro Tip: Ensure your venue has covered or indoor options that are just as beautiful as your original plan. 

Plan Activities So Guests Can Experience the Destination

One of the joys of a destination wedding is sharing a beloved location with your nearest and dearest. At Engage! Amelia Island, planned activities allowed attendees to immerse themselves in the destination. From guided beach walks and wellness-centric group bonding to painting classes and kayaking, the entire group was able to enjoy Amelia Island to the fullest.

One stand-out was led by Engage! Foundation who partnered with Barnabas Center. Attendees brought gifts for those in need in Nassau County and worked as a group to wrap all of them. A common cause is one of the best ways to connect with wedding guests, so volunteering your time and resources to a local cause is one of the most soul-filling activities you can do. 

Pro Tip: Provide guests with a list of recommended activities they can explore on their own if they prefer a more flexible schedule.

Give Guidance on What to Wear

Destination weddings often come with unique climates and dress codes. To ensure your guests are comfortable and appropriately dressed, provide clear guidance. Engage! puts together a Pinterest board of suggested attire for each event. Pictured below are Rebecca Grinnals and Kathryn Arce, co-founders of Engage! Summits.

 This is a helpful tool for your own wedding weekend because many guests don’t know exactly what “Beach Chic” or “Cocktail Casual” means and may show up either completely overdressed or tragically underdressed. This also helps people lean into a specific colorway if you specify. Providing visual examples of appropriate attire takes all of the guesswork out of outfit planning and ensures your guests are comfortable and well-dressed.

Pro Tip: Include a link to suggested attire (the easiest to use is a Pinterest board) on your wedding website. Alternatively, include photos of sample attire directly on your wedding website.

Entertain Them

The best weddings aren’t just events; they’re experiences. Engage! emphasizes the importance of creating moments that attendees will cherish. At each event, Jordan Kahn Music Company treated us to a fully immersive experience. A drone show on opening night, themed entertainers at almost every turn, talented DJs and even headline singers Joey Fatone from NSYNC and Natasha Bedingfield performed private concerts for our group. 

Not all weddings can budget for a headline performance, but making sure guests are treated to a great DJ with a curated list who can get guests out of their chairs and onto the dance floor is paramount to the fun and good time of a wedding. 

Pro Tip: Don’t forget to create other moments of joy, such as a professional immersive portraits or photo booth (we suggest Banga Booth) or a surprise fireworks display to end the night.

Attending the Engage! Luxury Wedding Summit Conference is a masterclass in curating exceptional experiences. With the right planning and inspiration, your own destination wedding can be just as unforgettable for you and your guests. By focusing on thoughtful details and embracing the spirit of your chosen location, you’ll create memories that will last a lifetime.

Special thanks to the creatives behind this amazing event: 
Event: Engage! Summits
Host Property: The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island
The Amelia Island Convention and Visitors Bureau: Amelia Island
Creative Direction & Planning: Collins Korman Events
Art Direction, Branding, Gifting Curation, Paper, Design Support: TPD Design House
Production & Floral Design: Jackson Durham
Entertainment: Jordan Kahn Music Company
Sessions & Breakout AV, Sound, Tech: Encore Global
Tenting & Rentals: Beach View Event Rentals
Lighting & AV/Tech for Nighttime Events: Technical Event Company
Draping & Linens: Party Tables
Floral Wholesale: Bloomology Global
Low Country Boil Venue: Amelia River Club
Breakfasts, Grab Go Lunch, Media Lounge Florals: Anything With Plants
Event App: ODA Creative
Specialty Coffee: Vital Brew
Photo Director: Jacqui Cole
Photo Team: Paul Morse Photography; Carter Rose Weddings; Amy Anaiz; Scott Clark Photo; Caroline Lima; Willett Photo; Ricky Rodriguez Photo; Alex W Photography; Chi-Chi Ari Love
Social Media Video Team: Current Films
Highlight Film: Good Cinema
Social Media Director: Samantha Roberts
Graphic Design & Show Design: Trisha Hay
Flatlay Styling & Team Engage!: Shiramisu
PR & Communications: The Bridal Bar