MANILA, Philippines ? Out of town weddings are becoming more and more popular?from an island wedding in Palawan or Boracay to a garden wedding in cold romantic Tagaytay or Baguio. For many, it?s a fantasy come true. But it needs planning.

What you should know when you start planning it:

Check the websites of possible churches and reception venues and make a list of those that interest you.

Consider the accessibility of the place.

Check the weather or season of the wedding date to see if it suits the venue.

Before you talk to a consultant, know these things?how many guests you will have; what sort of food you will serve; what time the ceremony and reception will be and what is your priority.

Check if there are enough rooms/cottages or hotels to house your guests. (It?s always best to book this as group package to get more value for your money.)

See how far the church is from the reception venue. If it is far, you must provide transportation for guests.

Find out what suppliers you can get from there. The less suppliers you need to bring from the city to the venue, the better; suppliers charge out-of-town rates, food and accommodations. But I also advise you to fly in suppliers that are crucial?photographers and makeup artists.

Once you?ve decided on the venue, send a ?save the date? at least six months before the wedding through e-mail or card to your guests so they can block off the date.

Check with the local church the documents they will need for the wedding, and what is allowed and not allowed in the church?flower decor, music, etc.

Your invitation should also have information about the hotel, room rates, airline schedules, or a map. Also, the invitations should be out at least two months before the wedding so you can start calling for RSVP one month before the wedding.

In planning/designing your gown and the entourage outfits, consider comfort, not only style.

Include in your budget at least two ocular visits to the venue. The first trip is to meet key people for the reception and church and some potential suppliers. The second should be at least one month before the wedding date just to remind these people of your instructions and tie up loose ends.

Destination weddings take considerable planning and research. The earlier you plan, the greater the chance you would be able to book the venue for you and your guests. Just remember also to set your watch to island time and your mind to the island mindset. Vendors there are likely to be more laid-back and slower to respond to requests than city suppliers.

May you have a fun and relaxing experience for you and your guests.

Good luck!

The author is a member of Bridesmaids, the pioneer wedding coordinator in the country. E-mail her at mchelle_tl@yahoo.com