Congratulations on your engagement! Now it’s time to start discussing where and when you will tie the knot. These are two of the biggest questions you’ll have to answer before the real planning begins.
Will you have a traditional wedding at home, or will you decide to say, “I do,” in a tropical destination on a sun-drenched beach? We’re sure both will be amazing, but more and more couples just like you are deciding to celebrate their big day away from home.
Our Certified Destination Wedding Specialists are passionate about helping you plan the perfect wedding. That is why we designed a guide to help you weigh the pros and cons of both. Let’s take a look and explore whether a wedding faraway from home truly fits your vision, budget, and so much more.
Is a Destination Wedding Right For You? The Pros of a Destination Wedding
If exchanging vows with the sound of the waves lapping along the shore, the sun shining on the sandy beaches, and breathtaking ocean backdrops surrounding you sounds like a dream come true, then a destination wedding is right for you. A destination wedding is more than a ceremony honoring your love; it is a magical moment in time, an experience that will make all your dreams come true.
Let’s take a look at why couples are taking the loving leap of faith and leaning in to escaping to paradise instead of getting married close to home. Some of the reasons might surprise you!
Beautiful Location
You know what they say…it’s all about location, location, location! The top reasons couples select a destination wedding are for the breathtaking, picturesque scenery. Imagine exchanging vows with the turquoise Caribbean Sea as your backdrop or celebrating on a dramatic cliff overlooking the ocean.
The natural beauty found in these locations requires very little decorating and will instantly elevate your wedding photos. Whether your big day is on a beach at sunset, a lush tropical garden, or a charming chapel, the setting creates a timeless, romantic ambiance where every moment is picture-perfect!
Memorable Experience
There’s something unforgettable about a destination wedding experience. That’s because it’s more than a one-day celebration. It’s an energizing, exciting journey. Both you and your guests will share days of relaxation, excitement, connection, and more. A destination wedding is a mini vacation that is sure to be filled with special memories you’ll treasure forever.
Host a welcome dinner under the starlit sky, a beach bonfire the eve of your wedding, and a farewell brunch by an infinity pool. Shared experiences bring everyone closer together and make your big day extraordinary. Plus, the local culture and touches like island music, regional cuisine, and tropical flowers honor your union with deeply authentic cultural touches.
Small and Intimate (If you Want!)
It depends on your personal wish list, budget, and how many guests you will invite to your destination wedding. Because you have to travel to a faraway wedding locale, your guest list will be more intimate. This allows you to focus on family and friends who matter the most. Smaller weddings feel more personal and relaxed, allowing you to connect with each guest and enjoy meaningful moments together. If you prefer quality to quantity, this is the perfect fit.
Feel free to invite a wider circle of people you care about in your lives, but remember that travel logistics will most likely narrow your list to your closest loved ones. You can always celebrate with those who couldn’t make the trip when you return home as a married couple.
Wedding and Honeymoon (and Vacation) All in One
The biggest plus of getting married away from home is that you can easily combine your wedding, honeymoon, and vacation into one trip. Instead of juggling multiple itineraries, rushing between airports, and hopping from hotel to hotel, you can stay put, enjoy more of the destination, and savor every moment.
Most all inclusive resorts are designed for your special wedding celebration. They offer exceptional wedding packages that include your ceremony, reception, and honeymoon perks. Guests will also enjoy a fun and relaxing getaway because your wedding is an exciting, shared holiday that everyone will treasure and remember.
Stress-Free Atmosphere
Planning a wedding at home is stressful. You have to involve multiple vendors, venues and handle countless details, including keeping on budget! Destination weddings take all the stress off your shoulders and to-do list.
Special wedding packages bundle everything into one doable price. Luxury all-inclusive resorts provide experienced on-site wedding coordinators who help you manage everything from flowers and entertainment to reception and honeymoon extras. All you have to do is relish every moment.
RELATED: How to Plan a Destination Wedding Rehearsal Dinner
Plenty of Pre-and Post-Wedding Activities
A destination wedding doesn’t begin and end with the ceremony. It is a wonderful multi-day celebration filled with new experiences, excursions, and adventure. Resorts offer group excursions like snorkeling, catamaran cruises, cultural tours and spa retreats. There is something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you take a sunset sail, spend a day lounging beachside, or explore the local culture, these activities add personal touches that are different from getting married at home.
Quality Time with Friends and Family
Traditional weddings have heartwarming moments, but you often spend your time rushing from one conversation to the next. On the other hand, a destination wedding offers priceless, uninterrupted time with loved ones. You’ll share meals, adventures, and quiet, relaxed moments that deepen friendships and relationships. Many happy couples say that this extended quality time together made their wedding more meaningful and memorable.
Cost Savings
It may surprise you, but a destination wedding is more affordable than a traditional wedding at home. Smaller guest lists are the first thing that offers cost savings. Additionally, luxury resorts offer all-inclusive packages where everything from your accommodations, food and drinks, to entertainment and activities is bundled into one price.
Resorts also welcome wedding events and feature extra special packages that include your venue, decorations, ceremony, reception, and special perks like free night stays, champagne toasts, room upgrades, and honeymoon treats. Of course, there are add-ons to packages to elevate your big day, but when you compare apples to apples, a destination wedding is more budget-friendly. If you are looking for value, extravagance, and luxury, a destination wedding celebration checks all the boxes.
Is a Traditional Wedding Right For You? The Cons of a Destination Wedding
Yes, there are many appealing advantages of a destination wedding. Let’s take a look at potential challenges, too, because getting married far away from home isn’t for everyone. If you are on the fence about the idea of a destination wedding or not, these considerations will help you see the big picture.
Possible Scheduling Conflicts
One of the biggest obstacles when planning a destination wedding is your guests’ schedules and lifestyles. Work schedules, travel budgets, and childcare can prevent guests from attending. Your closest loved ones will make arrangements to attend, while others simply won’t be able to join you in paradise.
To help your guests plan, send “save-the-date cards and announcements early, ideally nine to 12 months before your big day. This gives everyone plenty of time to plan, save, and secure travel arrangements.
This is your choice to get married away from home, and that’s ok. It’s also ok, and you should understand if your guests decline your invitation. Keep in mind that fewer guests will simplify your celebration. A smaller, more intimate group creates a relaxed atmosphere where everyone can spend relaxed, quality time together.
Logistical Challenges
Planning any wedding involves countless details. When you plan a destination wedding, it can be difficult to communicate with vendors and make decisions. This is where an experienced wedding planner enters your destination wedding picture.
Our Certified Destination Wedding Specialists work directly with resorts to manage everything for you. This includes confirming details, logistics, handling communication, and more. We serve as your go-to experts and will make sure everything runs smoothly and seamlessly from start to finish. We want your big day to be perfect.
Legal Requirements and Considerations
It’s important to note that marriage laws differ from country to country. This can be confusing and make things complicated. Some destinations require specific documents and residency periods before you can legally marry. To simplify this issue, plan a symbolic ceremony at the destination and get legally married at home. This allows you to enjoy the full destination wedding experience without all the administrative and legal stress.
If you prefer to have a legal ceremony, our Certified Destination Wedding Specialists can help guide you through the requirements to make sure everything is accurate and timely. Whether you decide to have a legal or symbolic ceremony, we will make sure every detail is carefully handled for you.
So, Is a Destination Wedding Right For You?
Is a destination wedding instead of a traditional wedding at home right for you? You have to decide what matters most to you and your fiancé. If your dream wedding is to exchange vows in a breathtaking tropical setting, enjoy multiple days celebrating with your closest friends and loved ones, then a faraway wedding is a great fit.
If your priority is making sure all your family and friends can witness your vows, and the thought of traveling is overwhelming, a wedding at home is best for you. The key is to evaluate the pros and cons, agree on what is best for you, and what will bring you the most heartfelt joy. What feels authentic, personal, and exciting to your love story?
Once you decide what is the best fit, the rest will fall beautifully into place. The most important thing is that you are both happy and looking forward to your big day and spending the rest of your life together.
Need Help Deciding? Our Experts Are Here For You
Still on the fence about whether a destination wedding is right for you, our Certified Destination Wedding Specialists are here to help you make your decision. We’ll chat about your preferences, personalities, and budgets. Then we’ll help you explore destinations and all-inclusive resorts with wedding packages that perfectly align with your vision.
Whether you are curious about the Caribbean, Mexico, Costa Rica, or other tropical paradise, our award-winning team will make it all simple and stress-free. Get started by completing our online wedding planning form to receive a free consultation with one of our specialists. Together, we will discuss destinations, resort packages, legal details, and travel advice.
Your dream wedding starts by saying, “I do,” to a wedding at home or a destination wedding in paradise. Ready? Great! Complete our online wedding form and schedule your complimentary consultation today.
