Pros And Cons of Destination Weddings

A destination wedding is a ceremony that takes place somewhere other than where the couple lives. It could be in a nearby town, a popular tourist spot, or a completely different country. The wedding party and guests are expected to travel to the chosen destination for the wedding festivities. A getaway wedding is a perfect choice for couples who want to celebrate their union in an exotic and romantic location while also extending bonding time with close friends and family

Destination weddings have grown in popularity in recent years as they offer the couple and their guests a one-of-a-kind experience. If you’re thinking about a destination wedding, do your research before deciding whether it’s right for you. It may be a dream come true, but it comes with its own set of challenges and considerations. Finding a reliable wedding planner is one of the most important things to keep in mind, along with the costs and travel requirements. Here are a few other aspects that should be considered when planning a destination wedding.

Pros of Destination Weddings

1).  Perfect for Small and Intimate Weddings

Destination weddings give you the option to celebrate your special day just with your closest family and friends. You can easily omit the obligatory guests, such as annoying coworkers, irritating cousins, and a bunch of relatives you have hardly ever met. The most important people in your life are going to attend the event. This means that the wedding would be intimate, meaningful, relaxed, and less formal. It would also provide an opportunity for the bride’s and groom’s families to interact with one another and strengthen their bonds.

2).  Potential Cost Savings

A destination wedding with only immediate family and friends can be significantly cheaper than a traditional wedding with a large invitee list in your hometown. You will save a lot of money on lodging and food if you have fewer guests. Local transportation costs will be minimal because everyone will be staying in the same location. Because of the picturesque, natural backdrops, you won’t need to spend a lot of money on decorations. Tons of resorts offer affordable all-inclusive wedding packages which encompass accommodation, catering, decorations, photography, and entertainment, among other things. However, the overall wedding cost is largely determined by the location and size of the wedding. A destination wedding can be quite expensive if you choose a grand celebration in an extravagant location/resort with a large gathering of guests.

3).  Unique Experiences

Since you are not required to adhere to the format and style of traditional weddings, a destination wedding can be customized to your specific vision. You can plan exciting, unique events that reflect your personality and interests. The possibilities are endless: a treasure hunt, beach volleyball, food trail, or a hiking excursion. If celebrations are planned unconventionally, all attendees will find it more exciting and enjoyable. This ensures that your wedding will be cherished not only by you but also by your guests.

4).  Built-in Vacation

Destination wedding enables everyone to visit a location they may have never visited before. When you invite your guests to a scenic outdoor location, you are effectively turning your wedding into a vacation for both you and your guests. It is also your chance to spend a few relaxing and fun-filled moments while celebrating your big day. Nothing beats the joy of going on holiday with your loved ones. Guests can also arrive early or stay longer to extend their vacation if they want to see more of the area. It’s no surprise that destination weddings are also referred to as “vacation weddings.”.

5).  Stress-Free

Planning a wedding in a faraway destination is less stressful. Controlling things from a distance may appear difficult, but it is actually quite simple. Because many resorts offer all-inclusive packages that cover all of the details, planning a destination wedding is much simpler than planning a traditional wedding. You do not need to negotiate with various vendors for different aspects of your wedding. If the resort is not all-inclusive, you will need to hire a wedding planner to help you plan your wedding at the chosen location. If you pick the right one, these professionals will take all the workload off your shoulders. Now that the majority of the planning has been completed ahead of time, there is more time to relax. The staff takes care of the small details, allowing you and your family to enjoy the wedding.

6).  Beautiful Wedding Photographs

Couples prefer to have their destination wedding in a picturesque location. The beautiful nature and outdoor lighting are just perfect for some cherished, spectacular shots. You don’t need to create an artificial backdrop for your photographs as natural views work as a terrific setup. How exciting it is to include scenic settings that you wouldn’t find at home, such as a white-sandy beach, looming mountains, a fairy-tale palace, or a lovely ranch. You can also have your pre-wedding photo session there and save a lot of money.

7).  Fewer Delays

The majority of events take place at the same location, and since none of the attendees must travel to the venue, everything proceeds on schedule. This gives you and your guests more time to connect. Furthermore, you won’t need to worry about logistics like traffic or transportation.

Cons of Destination Weddings

1).  Travel Cost and Logistics

Guests may find it prohibitively expensive to attend a destination wedding, especially if it is in another country. They will have to pay for flights, visas, ground transportation, and other travel-related expenses. They will need to take time off work and handle a slew of other tasks associated with traveling to a distant location for a few days. Arranging and coordinating travel can be costly, complicated, and time-consuming.

2).  Not Everyone Will Attend

Destination weddings demand a lot of commitment from all those involved – financially and time-wise. Many people who want to attend will say no because traveling to a distant town would be inconvenient or expensive for them. A few guests may decline due to work, family, health, or other obligations. Additional challenges include dealing with time zones, early flights, extra baggage, and additional holidays. It is best to invite people well in advance so that they can organize their passports, tickets, leaves, and travel arrangements. Some friends/relatives may spread negativity but simply ignore them. Those who truly care about you will find a way to join you in your celebrations.

3).  Planning Could be Challenging

Traditional weddings allow you to visit venues, sample food, meet vendors, plan the décor, and inquire about on-site details. However, if you plan to hold your wedding in a distant location, controlling and managing everything will be difficult. Be prepared to take a step back from the planning process if you opt for a destination wedding. You would be largely dependent on the hotel and wedding planners. And if they don’t deliver everything will go haywire resulting in additional costs and heaps of disappointment. Make it a point to visit the destination at least once before making a final decision. By doing so, you’ll be able to see how things will look, get to know the vendors, sample the food, exchange ideas, and make an objective decision about the location.

4).  Ensure that it is legal

Every country has its own set of rules regarding marriage. If you want your marriage to be legal in a foreign country, make sure you research and complete the necessary paperwork and other legal formalities. To obtain a marriage license, a lot of paperwork may need to be submitted, sometimes within a set period. There are occasions when the home country does not recognize a wedding taking place in another country as legal. In that case, you must register your marriage in your home country before or after the wedding. It is sometimes simpler to keep your destination wedding as a celebration rather than a legally binding process.

5).  Language and Cultural Barriers

If you have decided to marry in another country, you must consider the language barrier and cultural differences. The coordination and communication with local vendors may be challenging, and as a result, your wedding functions may not turn out as you had hoped. It’s also a good idea to be aware of local customs so you don’t ruffle any feathers.

6).  Unpredictable Weather

A destination wedding aims to make the most of the stunning natural surroundings. Sadly, the weather is unpredictable and can have an impact on your big day if you have outdoor events planned. So, one major thing to consider when planning a destination wedding is the weather during the ceremony’s duration. It may still play spoilsport, but we can only do our best. In the event of rain or a storm, the hotel and wedding planner must be prepared with backup plans. The show must, after all, go on.

7).  Extra Costs

If your dream destination is somewhat remote, you could end up paying considerable additional expenses. You might have to bring your trusted vendors to the chosen location. Everyone from photographers, planners, caterers, makeup artists, DJs, Mehndi artists, choreographers, and priests may be required to travel to the destination. This means you’ll have to pay for their airfare, lodging, food, local transportation, and other expenses. Furthermore, packing and transporting all of these heavy outfits to the location is not only stressful but also costly.

To summarize, there is no such thing as a right or wrong choice. It’s your day, so do whatever feels right. However, if you have decided to get married miles away from your hometown, here are a few elements that you should focus on

• Right Location – Keep in mind the accessibility, weather, and local laws.
• Good Resort – Not only would the entire wedding be held there, but everyone would be staying there as well. As a result, picking a good resort is essential.
• Reliable Wedding Planner – You will be completely reliant on the planners for everything. So, they MUST be trustworthy and dependable.
• Consider the needs of the guests – They would be spending money, time, and effort to attend your wedding. So, help them in any way you can. And do your best to keep them entertained so they can enjoy the festivities.
• Stick to your budget – Managing things from a distance is difficult. However, you must create and adhere to a budget to avoid being saddled with large, unexpected bills.