Getting Married in Paradise: Pros and Cons of Destination Weddings
Are you getting married soon?
First of all, CONGRATULATIONS!
As you start the planning process, you may find that deciding on the perfect wedding venue is one of the hardest decisions you’ll have to make for your big day. If you’re considering a destination wedding, you’re not alone. Destination weddings have been growing in popularity for many years now. Nearly 20% of all weddings are now destination weddings. The only thing you have to decide is if it makes sense for you.
What Makes a Wedding a Destination Wedding?
Destination weddings are ceremonies that are held away from the couple’s hometown and usually require travel for the wedding party and guests. You could decide to get married in a tropical location across the world, or you might opt for a rustic bed and breakfast just a couple of hours from home.
When planning a destination wedding, there are both pros and cons to consider. Let’s discuss both.
Pros of Destination Weddings
- A destination wedding can double as a vacation for others and a honeymoon location for you.
Destination weddings are a great way to get a head-start on your honeymoon. All you have to do is say goodbye to your wedding guests after the reception and start your honeymoon. Of course, you don’t need to stay in the same location where you hosted your wedding; you can select a different hotel or resort for your honeymoon.
- You can cultivate a more selective guest list.
Because of the logistics involved, destination weddings are best for a smaller, more intimate guest list. While this can be a pro or a con, there’s something special about celebrating your big day with the most important people in your life!
- You can avoid some stress.
Destination wedding venues have figured out how to provide you with a seamless, stress-free process. Many destinations have packages that professional planners create. The packages usually include all the elements needed for a beautiful ceremony. The bride and groom need only make a few custom selections, and the professionals handle the rest.
- Epic Views and Photos.
Deciding to have a destination wedding allows the happy couple to say “I do” in front of a breath-taking view. It doesn’t matter if you choose to host a beachfront celebration or a glamorous, outdoor party at a picturesque chateau. The gorgeous scenery will only make your wedding photos that much more stunning.
Cons of Destination Weddings
- Legality can be an issue.
Destination weddings require more thought about how you can legally tie the knot. Rules and regulations for legal ceremonies differ by destination, with some locations requiring over 12 months’ notice and a bunch of paperwork! You can save the stress of navigating international marriage laws if you go ahead and get legally married in your home state before or after your trip and host a beautiful symbolic ceremony in your dream destination. No one will be the wiser.
- Your honeymoon might become a family affair.
As much as you love your family, you may want to enjoy some private time with your new spouse. To get a break from your loved ones, make sure you schedule away time and insist on it. And after saying “I do,” make your honeymoon plans clear to your guests in advance to avoid any awkwardness. They’ll understand!
- Guests may not attend.
Traveling to another state or country may be a lot to ask, and some guests may not be able to attend due to conflicts with work, family, health, or other reasons. To avoid conflicts, make sure you run your ideas by your inner circle before deciding your dates and destination! Make sure those who are most important to you can attend.
- Navigating COVID-19 restrictions.
No matter how hard we try, it seems we can’t completely shake Covid-19. We now know surges are possible and unpredictable. As your date gets closer, make sure you and your invitees become familiar with any rules related to COVID-19. It’s also crucial to look into vaccination, testing, and quarantine requirements as your travel dates get closer. You’ll also want to be clear about cancellation and rescheduling policies, just in case.
When deciding on your wedding venue, the biggest thing to remember is that this is your big day. Ultimately this is about how you and your love dream of starting this new chapter in your lives. Once you’ve decided on that, everything else will fall into place.
And if you need any help planning a destination wedding, contact us, and we’ll get started planning.
