What is a Destination Wedding?
Plus 5 Other Frequently Asked Destination Wedding Questions
If you have questions about planning a destination wedding or are wondering “What exactly is a destination wedding?”, then you’ve come to the right place. Today on the blog, I’m answering the top 6 questions I hear about destination weddings. We’ll cover everything from budget to guests to locations and more, so keep scrolling to learn more!
Top 6 Destination Wedding Questions
What is a Destination Wedding?
Ok, first things first, what is a destination wedding? If your mind automatically goes to a beach resort in Mexico or a chic vineyard wedding in the rolling hills of Tuscany, then you’re not wrong. Both of these are considered destination weddings, but not all destination weddings require you to leave the country. According to The Knot, the modern definition of a destination wedding is “a ceremony that's held outside of the couple's hometown, which requires travel for most (if not all) of those involved.”
What this means is whether you are getting married 50, 500, or 5,000 miles away from where you live, all are considered destination weddings.
How to Choose Your Destination Wedding Location
The answer to this question is going to be different for every couple. Some couples choose a location simply because it’s flat-out beautiful in scenery. Other couples choose a location because it holds meaning for them both: it could be their favorite place to go on vacation, their first trip together, or the city where they met. I've even worked with couples who close their eyes, point somewhere on a map, and bam there's their location haha 🙂 Whether it’s for the experience, or for the convenience, the decision of where to get married is a unique decision for each couple.
How Much Do Destination Weddings Actually Cost?
You might be surprised to know that destination weddings can cost less than local, traditional weddings. How much a destination wedding is going to cost will depend on a few things such as location, travel/accommodations, guest count, etc.
According to Brides.com, the average cost of a destination wedding in 2023 is $35,000. As with any wedding, this number will largely be determined by how many guests you choose to invite. If you don’t plan on inviting as many guests, or your wedding takes place closer to home, you may be able to cut down on catering, or travel costs. However, some couples choose to go with a smaller guest list so they can splurge on the details. As with any wedding, it all comes down to what is important to you and what you want to prioritize.
What Vendors to Consider For Your Destination Wedding
When it comes to destination weddings, there are a few key vendors that can help make your planning experience so much easier. If you are planning on getting married internationally, it can be helpful to hire a travel agent and wedding planner who are based in the location where you are getting married. Having a local vendor to help you navigate potential language barriers and provide local recommendations will help ease so much stress. Plus, a good planner or travel agent will not only be able to help you, but can also assist your guests with their travel and accommodations.
Should You Invite Guests to Your Destination Wedding?
Speaking of guests, can you invite guests to your destination wedding? And if so, who is responsible for paying for what?
Destination weddings can look different for every couple. For some couples that means having their wedding in a different country with just the two of them. For other couples, that may mean inviting 4 guests and having an intimate wedding in a neighboring state. For still others, they may decide to have a resort wedding with 50 of their closest family and friends. There is no one way to have a destination wedding, but the short answer is yes - you can invite guests to your destination wedding!
When it comes to knowing who is responsible for paying for what, the general rule of thumb is that guests are responsible for taking care of their travel and accommodation. Anything related to the actual wedding (venue, food, drinks, etc.) is usually taken care of by the couple. Even if you decide to do things differently, just be sure to communicate the details to your guests so they know what to expect and there are no surprises down the road.
Are Destination Weddings Selfish?
This is one question that I hear over and over from couples and the answer is a resounding “No way!!” Having a destination wedding does not mean you are being selfish. Your wedding is all about you two and your love, that’s just a fact, so the way you want to celebrate is entirely up to you! And yes, you are asking your guests (should you choose to invite some) to spend more money, but I also like to think of destination weddings as a vacation and a chance for your guests to take time off work! Plus, the people who truly care about you will want you to have the wedding of your dreams - whatever that may look like.
4 Ways to Be Considerate of Your Guests
Give ample notice (I recommend sending invitations about 3-4 months in advance)
Research (or work with a travel agent) and provide detailed information such as:
where to stay
what airport to fly into
suggested activities in the area
Consider paying for transportation to/from the airport
Greet them with a small gift basket to make them feel welcome
So there you have it! I hope this blog helped answer your question about what is a destination wedding as well as some of the other important things couples think about when deciding whether or not a destination wedding is right for them. For more destination wedding resources, check out the blogs below!
Destination Wedding Resources
Check out these real destination weddings for more inspiration!
Ready to book your own destination wedding? Click on the link below to say hey and send me an inquiry!
There’s nothing quite like a Las Vegas elopement at an iconic wedding venue! Visit the blog to see more from Kat and Tony’s elopement at the Little White Chapel in Vegas.