It’s true—there are some brides who would rather leave all the planning
of the wedding to the experts and just show up on the big day ready to
have a good time. If this is your premarital prerogative, then a
destination wedding might be the perfect solution. Destination weddings
offer a number of benefits as an alternative wedding option, tailoring
romantic excursions for every personality from adventure seekers to
luxury travelers to beach bums. Here, 6 reasons why couples are
forgoing the traditional ceremony and reception for destination
experiences to last a lifetime.
1. Destination weddings can take place anywhere
Contrary to popular belief not all destination weddings have to take place at the beach. "Destination weddings can be any destination away from where the bride and groom live," says Greg Strobach, co-founder of All About Honeymoons. "It could be a lake, mountain, as well as sea area." At All About Honeymoons, the largest romance travel agency in the world, while the most popular destinations are Mexico and the Caribbean, the company’s romance travel specialists are skilled in planning getaways all over the world. So consider locations where you and your groom like the most—the scenic landscape of a mountain range, the rustic feel of the woods or even on the grounds of a fairytale castle. Your destination is anywhere the imagination takes you.
2. Destination weddings can actually save you money
Sticking to a proposed budget is often a major stressor for wedding planning. But the affordability of destination weddings has made this option increasingly popular for many budget-conscious couples. "The traditional U.S. wedding costs quite a bit of money these days. What we do is look for resorts that are all inclusive (food and drink provided) so that the bride and groom and their families can save money," Strobach notes. An added benefit of booking at a resort or island location? No additional traveling for the honeymoon—you’re already there.
3. Your loved ones can take a vacation, too!
More
and more families are spread out over the U.S. and across the globe,
and since they’re traveling they might as well turn your wedding into a
vacation suggests Robin Spelman, CFO of All About Honeymoons. When working with your wedding planner, let
him or her know how many guests you’re expecting to attend the ceremony
and their length of stay. That way, your planner can suggest activities
to keep family and guests entertained while they’re away. (This also
takes the burden off your shoulders from playing tour guide!)
4. Destination wedding travel agents can customize the wedding of your dreams
Destination wedding planning is a breeze when you work with a professional travel agent. They’ll listen to your requests, book all the arrangements, prepare special events for the ceremony (think fireworks and butterfly releases) or offer recommendations according to your specific needs. However, when starting your travel agent search, beware of companies with little experience in destination wedding travel. "You want to make sure that an agent is experienced due to the level of
coordination," Spelman advises. Since destination weddings are not a one
size fits all deal, be upfront about your wishes. If you dream of
partying every night of your stay, let your agent know so they can
research a property with an active nightlife. Or, if it’s peace and
quiet you seek, your planner should be well-versed in properties with
private beaches. Regardless of the destination, working with an
experienced planner can make the difference between an ultimate
romantic getaway and the holiday from hell.
5. Destination weddings are a growing trend (which means plenty of options)
Out of 2.4 million weddings that take place each year, 17 percent are destination weddings. Due to the increase in popularity a number of hotels, resorts offer special romance packages and have on-site romance concierge services to schedule couples-themed activities for destination wedding guests. Even tourism boards are noticing the trend, creating special brochures and travel collateral suggesting romantic points of interest in the area. So never worry that you’ll have to go it alone on your destination wedding (only unless you really want to).
6. Destination weddings are stress-free
Destination weddings take away much of the drama associated with traditional weddings. But to guarantee relief, start your search early. Strobrach recommends planning your destination wedding within nine to 14 months of the date, as planning early allows you to take advantage of savings. Again, if you’re on a budget some resorts and hotel properties will even set up payment systems allowing you to make scheduled payments over a period of time. Along with quashing financial fears (a major cause of stress), your destination wedding planner will also supply you with a checklists of legal preparations for your wedding, from filing passports to registering for the marriage license. That way, all you have to worry about is enjoying the moments ahead!
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