In the past, marrying away from home usually meant eloping. The couple would steal away in the night to flee family disapproval or expectations and tie the knot on their own terms. Today, the idea has shed its stigma and a growing number of couples are eliminating the traditional formal affair to a casual, intimate occasion in their dream honeymoon spot.
These destination weddings are unique to every couple; involving just the two of them, a select gathering of friends and family, or the couple plus a bona fide ‘group’ to constitute a reunion!
WHY ARE DESTINATION WEDDINGS A GROWING TREND?
1. THEY ARE VIRTUALLY STRESS FREE
The class movie “Father of the Bride” is a perfect example of why a destination wedding is so popular. They are almost guaranteed to be simpler (and faster) to plan than a traditional wedding and reception – for two main reasons:
Resorts and cruise lines around the world specialize is ROMANCE, and have made it seamless to wed on-site! Most have full-time wedding coordinators on staff, which are familiar with that country’s marriage license requirements and provide wedding packages that will accommodate all of your dreams and essential components.
If you are not getting married at a resort, engage with a professional wedding planner who specializes in destination weddings. Be sure to start early!
2. NO FAMILY DRAMA
Why can this be an emotional roller-coaster? An important consideration – no scene-stealing family drama. When blending large, extended families and business associates, predictably, each set of parents has their own ideas of how and where the wedding should be. First and foremost, the wedding event should reflect the passion and emotion of the couple being married.
3. THEY ARE COST-EFFECTIVE
The affordability of a destination wedding has many couples speeding off to the airport faster than you can say “I do”. For example, a couple can fly to an all-inclusive resort in Mexico or Jamaica, get married, and stay for a deluxe weeklong honeymoon for a few thoughts dollars, including lodging, meals, drinks and airfare. Compare that with your average 150-plus guest wedding costing about $22,000.00 – which can easily skyrocket to more than $100,000.00 in larger U.S. cities – plus, a few extra thousand for a honeymoon. To ease the financial burden, many couples opt to travel to a place where they can be married, have a honeymoon, and still have some money left over to start their new lives together.
4. YOU CALL THE SHOTS
While formal weddings hold meaning for many couples, linking them to the traditions of their families and culture, others want the experience to be unique, with a ceremony and location that reflects their dreams and anticipate experiences. Perhaps an ‘Out of Africa” experience? A snowy mountain-peak ceremony! A seaside, sunset ceremony with the ocean as your symphony? The world is your altar.
5. SIMPLY PERFECT FOR SECOND AND SUBSEQUENT MARRIAGES
Been-there-done-that couples who are tying the knot for their second or third time choose destination weddings because there are simple, hassle-free and private. Either one or the other have done the grand-scale production before and want something more peaceful and cost-effective this time, or they want to be someplace anonymous, without the watchful eyes and whispers of the a hometown crowd. Multi-generational options are available with numerous family-friendly resorts and cruise lines that will deliver an amazing experience for all!
6. A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME REUNION OPPORTUNITY
At a typical wedding, you’re on the run, meeting and greeting. Destination weddings are on vacation time. Typically, you must arrive 2-3 business days prior to being married to complete necessary residency requirements and paperwork. This early arrival alleviates stress and allows you to engage with the family and friends who have planned this CELEBRATION with you. How often do you have the opportunity to relax, rejuvenate in a ‘no worry’ atmosphere, with those near and dear to you? This is your chance.
Travel Concepts specializes in ROMANCE TRAVEL; it is our business to remain current on all practices and information. We realize this is a once-in-a-lifetime dream – it should be flawless! Our relationships with all of our partner suppliers will ensure that your dreams and anticipated experiences will exceed your expectations!
