Feeling enticed by the idea a destination wedding? In recent years they’ve definitely become very popular, and it is easy to the appeal behind tying the knot in an beautiful and unique location.
However if we’re being honest there are pros and cons to hosting a destination wedding, and you need to know what they are before making a final decision.
Pros of a Destination Wedding
Destination weddings are romantic and feel like an adventure – but there’s more to them than that. Part of the reason why they’re so popular nowadays is people have realized there are many advantages to them:
- Get married in an amazing setting
The most obvious advantage of destination weddings is being able to get married in an amazing setting. The possibilities are endless, and it could be on white sands of a beach, atop the cliffs overlooking the ocean, or even in the middle of a lush rainforest.
Not only will this give your wedding a great vibe all on its own, but it will also make for amazing photos and videos that you can cherish forever.
- Save money on wedding costs (maybe)
People generally assume that destination weddings are more expensive, but that often isn’t true. With many resorts and hotels offering incredible all-inclusive packages, you could end up spending much less than you would otherwise.
For example, a wedding in Beverly Hills would probably set you back more than a destination wedding in Mexico.
- Enjoy a vacation
Destination weddings are part wedding, part vacation with your closest friends and family. Seeing as many resorts offer a honeymoon rolled into their all-inclusive packages – you could even stay on and continue your vacation after the wedding.
- Keep it small and intimate
If you want a small and intimate wedding but are reluctant to trim down your guest list – a destination wedding will do that for you. Because of the added hurdles, the people who attend are likely going to be the ones closest to you.
Cons of a Destination Wedding
Before you get caught up in the advantages of destination weddings, you should know that they have some drawbacks too. Here are the main cons of destination weddings you need to be aware of:
- They aren’t always cheaper
As mentioned previously, destination weddings can be more cost-effective – but not always. Without all-inclusive packages, the cost of destination weddings can quickly add up if you aren’t careful.
Certain destinations may be more expensive in general too due to their popularity or exclusivity.
- Some guests may not be able to attend
Be prepared for the fact that some of your loved ones may not be able to attend a destination wedding. Maybe they aren’t able to take leave, find someone to look after their kids, or are limited by financial constraints.
If there are people you absolutely want present you should make it a point to talk to them beforehand.
- Going international can be complicated
Destination weddings in other countries can be complicated. There may be a language barrier, communication issues, or cultural differences that you need to navigate. On top of that be sure to look up the legality of a foreign marriage certification and whether or not it is accepted in your country.
- There may be unexpected circumstances
No matter how carefully you plan a destination wedding, there could be unexpected circumstances such as extreme weather that delay flights or make venues cancel. While it’s impossible to avoid this completely, talking your hotel or resort about a backup plan can help – as can purchasing travel and wedding insurance.
Conclusion
Knowing both the pros and cons of destination weddings should help you to make a more informed decision. Carefully think about what kind of wedding you want, and whether you’re okay with some people not being able to attend due to issues they may have.
At the end of the day a destination wedding can be an enjoyable and amazing experience for everyone involved. However for that to happen you need to go into it with both eyes open and carefully plan things out so that you don’t end up with unwanted surprises as the big day approaches.
