Destination weddings are all the rage and for VERY good reason. They’re a great idea for many happy couples looking to change up their own wedding experience with something unique and adventuresome.

The reasons that engaged couples choose to have a destination wedding vary greatly from one couple to the next, but one thing remains the same—guests are bound to remember your big day for years and decades to come.

Are destination weddings worth the hype? Most of the time, absolutely! Bermuda, Bahama, come on pretty mama, it’s time to consider planning a  destination wedding!

Here’s our take on why you should plan a destination wedding, as well as some considerations to think about before getting started.

Reasons to Have a Destination Wedding

First things first—you may be wondering if throwing a destination wedding is the right choice for you, your spouse-to-be, your families, and friends. Of course, the answer isn’t entirely cut and dry.

These are just some of the reasons why you may choose to have a destination wedding:

  • You’re looking to limit costs: Destination weddings average between 15-20% cheaper than traditional weddings.
  • You want a limited guest list: It’s much easier to set a strict, intimate guest list when there’s travel involved.
  • You want to have a prolonged event: One of the reasons destination weddings are so great is because they naturally include a vacation, or possibly even a honeymoon with all your friends and family.
  • You’re interested in something different: You love the beach. You and your fiance met in the mountains. You guys vacation in Europe every year. Whatever your reasons, a destination wedding reflects what makes you, you!

Wedding Planning From Afar

When planning a destination wedding, there are additional considerations to think about.

First, ask yourself these questions: Where will you host the affair? Is it easy to get to? Are you familiar with the location?

Then, find a local professional wedding planner or, at the very least, talk to the event coordinator at your intended venue. It’s likely they have a tried-and-true list of to-dos to help relieve your stress and streamline the process.

Etiquette

Since your family and friends may be a bit confused about the idea of a destination wedding, it’s important to be open, honest, and communicate frequently about your event.

  • Guest List: While it’ll be no surprise to your guests that you’re going to invite a limited number of people, make sure you are even-handed with your list. Set firm boundaries, whether that means just immediate family, no kids, or the like!
  • Timeline: Give your guests plenty of time to make travel plans. Send save the dates 6-8 months before the wedding and follow-up with a formal invitation 3 months before the big day.
  • Finances: It’s nearly impossible to foot the travel bill for every guest and it’s definitely not expected of you. In fact, you’re only responsible for covering the cost of the ceremony and reception itself (including food and drinks, of course).

Legalities

As you can imagine, it’s not as easy as signing a paper and calling the marriage official.

Before you head to Mexico, Jamaica, or France, check with your local municipality about any marriage license requirements. Likewise, your wedding planner and/or venue should give you information regarding any legalities in the location in which you’re marrying.

Other Considerations

When push comes to shove, most brides find that destination weddings are cheaper and less stress than a traditional one.

If you’re interested in a destination wedding, start by narrowing down your location. Then, consider hiring a photographer that will work on-site at whichever destination you choose.

Here are Strawberry Wedding, we can’t get enough of destination weddings. We find them memorable, unique, and completely reflective of the bride and groom. Contact us today for more information on how we can help serve your destination wedding needs.