Have you always dreamed of getting married on a tropical beach, in an opulent garden, or inside a towering castle? If so, you may be considering a destination wedding. Destination weddings take place anywhere far away from where the couple lives, often in another country. According to research by The Knot, about 1 in 5 couples in the United States now opt for a destination wedding. Is it any wonder? A destination wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime vacation and show-stopping wedding rolled into one. It won’t be the right choice for every couple, however, and a lot of consideration must go into that decision.
Cost
Weddings are expensive. The average cost for a local wedding in 2021 was $34,000. How do destination weddings stack up? It depends. It’s possible to throw a destination wedding for less than $10,000. Popular tropical locations like the Caribbean islands and Mexico are often cheaper than comparable venues at home, and all-inclusive wedding packages cut down on costs usually. However, it can also be significantly more expensive. Just remember that add-ons and luxuries add up fast, and some locations will be pricy.
Planning
Destination weddings, especially abroad, require more planning. There’s the travel, accommodations, and finding vendors long-distance, to name a few additional tasks. Professionals and experienced couples alike say that hiring a local wedding planner is a must. Some venues and wedding packages include the services of a wedding planner for no extra charge. A wedding planner is particularly helpful if you want to ensure you get legally married at your destination, as marriage laws are different everywhere. Keep in mind that this could mean being more hands-off than if you were planning your wedding at home.
Safety
There are always safety concerns with traveling, and weddings are no exception. Having your wedding far from home greatly increases the number of things that can go wrong, from delayed flights to monsoons. Do your research on your location of choice. Know what risks you are comfortable with and what you can prepare for. If you decide to take the plunge, wedding and travel insurance are a good idea.
Etiquette
The etiquette rules are different for a destination wedding. Many people will be unable or unwilling to come due to the expenses, timing, obligations and work, etc. Expect only about half of your invitees to accept the invitation. Because of the costs to guests to attend, it’s customary not to expect or accept gifts at destination weddings. If having lots of guests or the gift-giving tradition is important to you, this is something to think seriously about.
Keep your guests in mind when deciding if, when, and where to have a destination wedding. Elderly, infirm, and very young family members may not be able to handle adventurous locales. If your entire family hates the cold, that white wedding in the wintry mountains probably isn’t ideal.There’s a lot to think about when deciding whether to have a destination wedding. The most important thing is that your wedding is perfect for you and your fiancée. It will be a magical day no matter where you decide to celebrate.
