Do you have these Destination Wedding tips in your arsenal?
A destination wedding is when you choose to have your nuptials at least 100 miles from where you currently live. Although there are many perks to choosing a symbolic, exotic location, you may be worried about whether you can actually pull off a long-distance wedding. As experts in the destination wedding industry, we would like to share with you some great benefits about having a wedding in a destination away from your hometown.
1. You can have a wedding as unique and authentic as your partnership
More than 2 million American couples get married each year according to the National Center for Health Statistics. In 2013, 24% of those were destination weddings.
For better or for worse, the location of your wedding determines its mood. (Are you feeling more rustic, beachy, or sophisticated?) Although it may feel like sacrilege to admit, formal white weddings aren’t for every couple.
Would you rather get married in the same local, traditional venues that your friends did – or would you rather have a memorable wedding that leaves your guests breathless?
2. It IS possible have a cost-effective, virtually stress-free wedding
It sounds too good to be true, but trust us it really is possible. If you work with a wedding planner and share your vision and dreams of your wedding, you’ll be surprised as to how quickly things can come together. Experts will leverage knowledge, experience and expertise to put everything in place.
Wedding planners in this area of expertise will be familiar with the requirements for marriage licenses in other countries and will be sure to get all of your paperwork in line. That is on top of making all arrangements with the necessary vendors from florists and caterers to stylists and venues. The best part is that you’ll be saving money while you do it!
3. You can choose somewhere significant to you
Is your favorite vacation spot together in the Caribbean? (Book a Caribbean wedding!) Did you get engaged in Paris? (Get married in the city of love!) What do you love to do? Identify that and make that the theme of your wedding. (Have your wedding in California wine country if you enjoy wine tastings, in Colorado if you’re ski fanatics!)
The possibilities are endless! Having a destination wedding is a great opportunity to make sure to have memories that you treasure.
4. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to reconnect
A typical wedding and reception generally consists of the ceremony and then a few hours of reception. What this usually amounts to is that you and your new spouse are able to greet each guest, thank them for coming, and then zip off again to thank and greet the next set of guests.
Destination weddings, on the other hand, usually last a few days. You arrive, complete the necessary paperwork and then relax with friends, family, and your soon to be spouse. It’s the ideal bonding retreat, and the best part is that it’s in a beautiful destination of your choice!
5. Your wedding is a vacation for your guests, too
Choosing a destination wedding often means that you choose to have a more intimate wedding with fewer guests. Of course, you run the risk that some of your close friends and family may not be able to attend.
Fortunately, you can avoid this by announcing your plans early. This gives your family time to plan and budget for the trip so they can attend. If cost for guests is a concern, remember that your wedding planner in this case will also be functioning as a travel agent!
He or she is able to negotiate group rates for your guests’ hotel expenses and help you and your fiance’ arrange activities for your guests once they arrive. For those few guests who are unable to attend, you can always throw a post wedding party to show photos and celebrate when you return.
Overall, try to think of a destination wedding as a fun adventure for you to enjoy with your friends, family, and partner! As soon as the ceremony is over, your honeymoon can begin.
Let us know if you have questions, comments or feedback.