Once you’ve picked out your ideal wedding locale overseas, the next step is figuring out how to plan a destination wedding miles away from home (and then take a few deep breaths). Throwing a destination wedding means you’re in for a much more intimate ceremony and can basically enjoy a two for one wedding and honeymoon. But, before you jet off to a foreign land to marry your love, you have some important details to consider as you start planning a destination wedding.

We sat down with San Francisco-based planner Laurie Arons, who knows a thing or two about throwing a fantastic wedding party with over 600 weddings and special events under her belt. Whether you’ve decided on a tropical celebration in the Bahamas, an island fête in Bali, or a romantic getaway in Tuscany (those are a few of her favorite places for a destination affair), Arons has all of your bases covered, from choosing the perfect venue to coordinating every last detail on the big day.