Being from the Seattle area, Brian and Viktoriya decided they didn’t want to have the risk of a rainy wedding day. Instead, the couple opted for a tropical destination wedding in Maui, Hawaii.

The couple says most of the reactions were positive, but a handful of guests couldn’t make it. “We [were able to] FaceTime some of our closest friends who couldn’t be there the day of the wedding,” says Viktoriya.

The couple got engaged in July and decided on a December wedding, giving them less than five months to organize and plan. By the time the couple called wedding planner Laurie from Makena Weddings, they only had two venue choices to choose from. “Things get booked quickly in Maui,” says the bride. “We chose to do our wedding on a Sunday because that was what was available.”

Besides being limited on options, the couple’s only real complaint was not being able to stay in Maui longer.

Brian and Viktoriya’s experience planning a destination wedding was smooth sailing thanks to their wedding planner, Laurie. The couple also communicated with all of their vendors through their planner and found that all of the vendors were very helpful and responsive.

“Our premarital counselors were surprised at how relaxed we were about the whole planning process,” says the couple. “I would highly recommend planning a destination wedding for a stress-free wedding.”

Although Viktoriya says her wedding planner was the greatest help, she also referred to books and Pinterest for wedding inspiration and advice.

Viktoriya included a few do-it-yourself projects by including framed pictures of both her and Brian’s parents on their wedding days for display, which served as décor next to a photo book she made for the guests to sign.

The couple estimates they would have spent about the same amount of money as they would have on a Washington wedding. “We would have had more people [in Washington], but probably not as high-quality food, views and photography for the price we paid in Hawaii,” says Viktoriya. The couple also enjoys the fact that their destination wedding served as a vacation for them and their guests. “We felt like we were celebrating all weekend long.”

The bride’s advice for other couples looking to plan a destination wedding is to try to relax! “People make planning a wedding more stressful than it needs to be,” she says. “Everything won’t be the way you want it to be and that’s okay. Just remember to have fun with your friends and family and don’t sweat the small stuff.”

Vendors: Photographer: Associate Rebecca from Anna Kim Photography, Wedding Planner: Laurie from Makena Weddings, Ceremony/Reception Site: Sugar Beach Events, Florist: Dellables Floral Wedding Design & Florals, Stationery: Olga Satyrova Photography, Cake: Sugar Beach Events, Hair & Makeup: Melissa from Love and Beauty Maui, Gown Designer: Stella York, Groom’s Clothing Designer: Calvin Klein, DJ: DJ Mike Penn from Take 3 Events