What Is a Destination Wedding?
A destination wedding is any wedding held in a location away from the couple’s hometown, typically requiring travel for most guests. Definitions vary: some say it means marrying more than 100 miles from home, while others reserve the term for weddings held abroad. According to Travel Market Report, around 17% of all couples now choose this format, up from just 5% not long ago. There are approximately 350,000 destination weddings taking place every year (source: The Knot).
Have you ever dreamt of a destination wedding? Saying your vows in a unique location is definitely appealing and it often makes financial sense too. Here’s the lowdown on how to arrange one, but first we’ll explain exactly what is a destination wedding.
Why Have a Destination Wedding?
Although it boils down to personal choice, there are many reasons why you might like to choose a destination wedding, including:
- Weather – guaranteed sunshine is a big draw.
- Quality time with family members and your closest friends.
- Limit the number of guests – whether for financial reasons or if you simply have too many friends and family to choose who is on the guest list!
- Informality – you can dress as casually as you like, especially if you opt for a beach wedding.
- Save on decor – there’s less need to splurge on expensive wedding decorations if you have a stunning backdrop already.
- Start the honeymoon early – you’ll have no travelling time to get to your honeymoon!
Destination Wedding Locations
For those couples based in the United States, the most popular destinations for weddings abroad are Caribbean islands and other tropical countries:
- Aruba – due to a recent marriage law, couples from abroad can now get legally married there subject to providing the relevant paperwork.
- Bahamas – Great Exuma, Nassau and Paradise Island are popular areas.
- Costa Rica – a civil wedding ceremony that will be legal in your own country is allowed if you fulfill certain requirements.
- Dominican Republic – Punta Cana on the East coast is one of the top Domincan Republic wedding destinations.
- Jamaica – the most popular Caribbean destination for Americans getting married, especially Montego Bay, Negril and Ocho Rios.
- Mexico – destinations here include Cabo San Lucas, Cancun, Los Cabos on the Bajan peninsula, Puerto Vallarta and the Riviera Maya all inclusive resorts on the East Coast.
- St Lucia – no residency period is required, just the relevant documentation.
For those based in Europe, the following destinations are all popular:
- Florida, USA – white sand beaches and romantic honeymoon destinations make Florida beach resorts one of the top wedding choices.
- France – especially Provence and Paris.
- Greece – Mykonos and Santorini are two of the most beautiful islands in Greece. They have seen a rise in weddings thanks to Instagram.
- Hawaii – the Big Island, Kauai, Oahu and Maui are all popular choices.
- Ireland – heritage tourism is on the rise in Ireland, and the country is often chosen by those who have ancestors from there.
- Italy – particularly Lake Como, due in part to George and Amal Clooney’s nuptials, the Amalfi Coast and Tuscany.
- Nevada, USA – Las Vegas is seen as a fun choice, in particular for second marriages.
- California, USA – Napa Valley vineyard weddings will appeal to wine buffs.
- Switzerland – particularly luxury ski resorts such as Gstaad and Verbier in the Swiss Alps.
How to Plan a Destination Wedding
When planning your wedding overseas or in another state, consider the following factors:
Accessibility for your guests
Are they travelling from different locations? Are there direct flights?
How far is it from the airport to the wedding venue? For some places such as the Amalfi Coast, your guests will face a tortuous road journey from Naples that can take up to 4 hours in high season.
Make sure to visit the venue in person during the planning stage, if at all possible. The service you receive will be much more personalized and it will give you a clearer idea of the venue’s advantages and disadvantages for your big day.
Assistance
If you’re getting married in a hotel, they will usually arrange all the venue details for you, from the wedding cake to the DJ. However, if you’ve chosen a different wedding venue, you may need to decide on the wedding planner yourself.
Having said that, your wedding venue probably work with certain wedding planners regularly and can make recommendations. In any event, choose a full-service local wedding planner, who will arrange for someone to clean up the next day. You don’t want to have to do that yourself!
Consider enlisting the services of a travel agent who your guests can contact to make their trip arrangements. They’ll help to overcome any language barrier.
Destination Wedding Cost
As for any wedding, cost is an important consideration. The average cost for a destination wedding ranges from $39,000 for domestic locations to $41,000 for international spots, though basic all-inclusive packages can start between $5,000 and $15,000.
With weddings abroad, you also need to decide whether you’ll contribute to guests’ travel expenses.
Normally, guests pay for their own flights and accommodation. It makes sense to negotiate a special rate for a group hotel booking.
The bride and groom usually cover the costs of the ceremony, reception and other events, as well as guest favors. Some also host a rehearsal dinner or welcome party.
Before asking friends and family to play specific roles during the ceremony, make them aware of the likely wedding destination so that they can accept or decline with full knowledge of the likely cost.
For couples with a strict budget, consider an all-inclusive destination wedding. Many resorts offer destination wedding packages including the venue, ceremony officiant, photographer, videographer, flowers, cake and music.
Legal Requirements
Check with the tourist office whether your destination of choice has any residency requirements. For France, one of the couple getting married have to have lived in France continuously for at least 40 days.
Some countries require a blood test and for documents to be translated into the local language. In others, there is a waiting period for those who have been divorced, before they can legally marry again.
For some destinations, it will be easier to get married in your home country and then to have a symbolic ceremony in the foreign country of your choice. If you file for a marriage license in your home state, your official wedding date won’t be the same as your destination wedding date but it’s likely to be cheaper and less complicated.
Research
Find out as much as you can about your chosen destination online from travel blogs and websites. Are there mosquitoes? What type of electric plug works there?
Visit your wedding destination as many times as you can afford to before the big day. During these visits you can select the venue, caterer, florist, photographer, cake maker and look at suitable guest accommodation guests.
All this information will be useful to you and also to your wedding guests. Include as much information as you can in the pre-wedding pack that you email to those attending.
Use Pinterest as a virtual mood-board for your wedding decor. You can send the link to any wedding suppliers abroad for inspiration, or even give them editing rights to that particular board so that they can add ideas for you to look at.
Timing
Do your research to avoid planning a wedding during hurricane or monsoon season. However, if you choose a wedding date that’s in the shoulder season, you’ll make considerable savings.
Certain destinations are in such demand that if you wish to go in high season, you’ll need to book your preferred venue over a year in advance.
When it comes to the actual wedding, plan to arrive a few days before your guests. You’ll have time to sort out any last minute issues and to get over jet-lag.
Wedding Venues
Does the destination of your choice have the type of wedding venue that you’re looking for? For example, Italy has very traditional banqueting facilities and hotel rooms so if you’re keen on a pared down style then countries such as Greece will probably suit you better.
Once you’ve pinned down your dream wedding destination, now comes the fun part – choosing your perfect wedding dress, photographer and theme. It’s also time to send out your wedding invitations.
Destination Wedding Dress Tips
For beach weddings, go for a loose style that will be comfortable in the heat. A boho wedding dress is perfect for a romantic vibe.
Pick a breathable fabric and one that will look good no matter what the weather. Lightweight fabrics such as soft chiffon, organza and lace work well.
Consider a short style, whether knee length or just above the ankle. If you have your heart set on a long wedding dress, choose one that is easily dry cleaned. Allow time for any alterations beforehand to make sure that your dress won’t trail in wet sand or sea water.
You can safely opt for a smart casual look as you won’t be in a formal setting. Quite a few Pronovias wedding dresses are backless and work well in all kinds of settings.
In terms of accessories, you might like to skip a traditional veil if you’re getting married outdoors and it’s windy. However, pretty hair ornaments or floral crowns are a great idea to hold your hairstyle in place.
Go shoe-less, or opt for a classic flat or wedge sandal if you’ll be walking on uneven surfaces.
As for transporting your wedding dress, do not check it in with hold luggage! Ask the airline if they can hang it for you in a first class closet, even if you’re flying in a different class. Some bridal stores can ship your dress directly to your hotel, otherwise take it with you as carry on luggage in a garment holder.
Destination Wedding Themes
Weddings abroad lend themselves really well to specific wedding themes. These will give the whole event a sense of cohesion. Carry the theme through your wedding invitations, venue decoration and even your favors.
Some of the most popular destination wedding themes are:
- Bohemian – choose a soft pink and cream colorway or vibrant shades of orange, aqua blue and terracotta. incorporate informal poufs and a tepee into your decor.
- Coastal – blue, white and grey colorway. Decorate with nautical accessories such as driftwood, rope, shells and a message in a bottle.
- Destination specific – choose colors that represent your destination like green for an Irish wedding, and place four leaf clover charms in the favor bags. Serve local food and get traditional musicians to play for added ambiance.
- Travel related – have a world map seating chart and table names with countries that the bride and groom have visited. Provide postcards for guests to sign and hang them up as decoration. Use paper luggage tags for dinner place settings.
- Tropical – green, white and brown colorway with vivid accents such as hot pink and aqua. Accessorize with palm leaf placemats or even a ceremonial arch made from tropical leaves.
Destination Wedding Invitations
Send your wedding save the date a year in advance if possible, either by email or by post. This should be followed up by a written wedding invitation. Try to send these formal invitations at least three months ahead of the date.
Include the deadline to RSVP, which will depend on when your wedding venue needs responses by. A general rule of thumb is 4 to 6 weeks in advance.
Important information to include in your destination wedding invitation is the date, time, venue, accommodation options, transport advice and details of how to RSVP. It’s also a nice thought to give tips about activities that guests can enjoy in the local area. If you’re planning a beach wedding, it might also be wise to give your guests suggestions for suitable footwear.
Destination Wedding Etiquette
Some couples include details of their wedding gift registry within the invitation. In that case, you may find this wedding registry checklist useful. However, if flights to your destination are expensive, consider leaving this information out altogether. Guests who are keen to contribute will contact you anyway to ask whether there is a gift registry but won’t feel pressured into it.
In terms of costs, you’re not obliged to pay for guest’s travel expenses. It’s a good idea to research accommodations for all budgets.
Let your wedding party know the planned date as far in advance as possible, so that they can get the best airfare deals. Consider paying for a welcome lunch if asking your guests to join you for several days.
Destination Wedding Favors
As your guests have made a special effort to attend your special day, it’s a nice idea to thank them for their trouble. Here are some fun ideas for wedding favors.
You could also prepare packs for each guest, with a map, itinerary, welcome letter, sun cream and a bottle of local wine or a foodie delicacy.
If you don’t want to carry the wedding favors in your suitcase, choose items online that you can get delivered to your wedding venue or buy them locally. Here are some suggestions:
- Destination specific – e.g. lavender for the South of France, limoncello for the Amalfi Coast, a cactus or maracas for Mexico.
- Fan – either a mini electric one or a traditional paper one is a great idea.
- Drink floaty – blow up beverage holders shaped like flamingos and pineapples.
- Flip flops – perfect for beach weddings.
- Luggage tag – custom printed tags are a reasonably priced favor.
- Pashmina shawl – ideal for outdoor weddings.
- Sand spiker drink holder – these sticks are great for holding your drink steady on the beach.
- Sunglasses – a nice unisex wedding gift.
- Tote bag – personalized with the date of the wedding
- Water bottle – with a fruit infuser or personalized
Destination Wedding Photography
If you’re getting married in an all-inclusive resort, the wedding photographer will most likely be included in your package. However, consider the following factors if not.
Choose a wedding photographer who knows the local area well. They have an important part to play in finding the most romantic photography locations and factoring in transportation times.
For those getting married in a country where a different language is spoken, try to pick a photographer who speaks the local language as well as yours. This will make the whole process much easier.
If you select a photographer who is based a long way from the destination, they may well have to charge you for time travelling to your shoot location.
For beach weddings, trash the dress photo shoots have become increasingly popular. If you don’t want to go that far, consider getting a few shots where you and the groom are immersed in water.
Who Pays for a Destination Wedding?
Guests pay for their own flights and accommodation at a destination wedding. The couple covers the ceremony, reception, welcome events, and guest favors. This is the accepted convention for most destination weddings, and it’s worth stating it clearly in your invitations so guests can plan ahead.
That said, many couples choose to soften the financial ask in other ways:
●Negotiate a group hotel rate to reduce accommodation costs for everyone.
●Host a welcome lunch or dinner as a thank-you for guests who travel far.
●Cover transfers from the airport to the venue, especially if the route is complicated.
●Leave the gift registry out of the invitation if flights are expensive, guests who want to contribute will ask.
For the couple, the biggest variable is the wedding package itself. Many all-inclusive resorts bundle the ceremony, officiant, photographer, flowers, cake, and music into a single package, which can make budgeting much simpler.
Destination Wedding Packages: What to Look For
Many resorts and venues offer all-inclusive destination wedding packages designed to take the stress out of planning from abroad. A typical package covers:
●Venue hire for the ceremony and reception
●Wedding officiant
●Photographer and sometimes a videographer
●Floral arrangements
●Wedding cake
●Music or DJ
Before signing anything, check what is NOT included. Common extras that catch couples off guard include hair and make-up, the rehearsal dinner, guest welcome bags, and any décor upgrades beyond the standard package. Always ask for an itemized breakdown and compare at least two or three packages before committing.
If you are working with a travel agent, they can often negotiate added extras or upgrades, a real advantage when you’re planning an event from thousands of miles away.
Key Takeaways
●Destination wedding: any wedding requiring travel for most guests.
●Around 25% of couples now choose destination weddings.
●Guests pay their own travel and accommodation costs.
●Couples cover ceremony, reception, events, and favors.
●Send save-the-dates at least one year in advance.
●All-inclusive packages simplify planning from abroad.
●Check legal requirements early, some countries have residency rules.
In Conclusion: What Is A Destination Wedding?
A destination wedding is a great way to combine your love of travel with your big day. If you’re considering a destination wedding, be sure to do your research and plan ahead.
We hope that you’ve found this information on exactly what is a destination wedding useful. Now after all that planning, it’s time to relax and enjoy the wedding day in a special place!
Be sure to check out our other travel articles for more inspiration.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifies as a destination wedding?
A destination wedding is one held away from the couple’s hometown, typically requiring most guests to travel. The most common definition sets the threshold at more than 100 miles from home, though many people reserve the term for weddings held in another country entirely. The key qualifier is that travel is required for a significant portion of the guests.
How does a destination wedding work?
A destination wedding works much like any wedding, but with the planning done remotely. The couple chooses a location, selects a venue (often a resort that handles most logistics), handles the legal requirements of the chosen country or state, and sends save-the-dates at least a year in advance so guests can arrange travel.
Many couples use a local wedding planner and a travel agent to manage logistics from home.
Do you pay for your guests at a destination wedding?
No, guests normally pay for their own flights and accommodation at a destination wedding. The couple covers the ceremony, reception, welcome events, and favors.
As a courtesy, many couples negotiate a group hotel rate, host a welcome lunch, or arrange airport transfers to offset some of the cost for guests who have travelled a long way.
What is the average cost of a destination wedding?
Destination wedding costs vary widely depending on location, guest count, and package. We note an average figure of $32,000 (excluding the engagement ring) based on data available at the time of writing.
For the most current pricing, check with destination wedding specialists or resort packages directly, as costs shift with exchange rates and demand.
What are the legal requirements for a destination wedding abroad?
Legal requirements vary significantly by country. Some destinations have residency requirements, France, for example, requires one member of the couple to have lived there continuously for at least 40 days.
Other countries require a blood test, translated documents, or impose a waiting period for previously divorced individuals. For some destinations, the simplest route is to marry legally at home and hold a symbolic ceremony abroad. Always check with the relevant tourist office or embassy well in advance.
When should I send save-the-dates for a destination wedding?
Send your save-the-dates at least one year in advance, either by email or post. This gives guests enough time to arrange flights, accommodation, and time off work.
Follow up with formal written invitations at least three months before the date, and include an RSVP deadline, a general rule of thumb is 4 to 6 weeks ahead of the wedding day.
What is the best fabric for a destination wedding dress?
Lightweight, breathable fabrics work best for destination weddings, especially in warm or tropical climates. Soft chiffon, organza, and lace are all excellent choices.
They stay comfortable in the heat, look elegant in photographs, and travel well. If you’re getting married on a beach, also consider the hem length, a shorter style or one that’s easily dry cleaned will save you from sand and sea water damage.
What are the most popular destination wedding locations?
For American couples, the Caribbean is the most popular region, with Jamaica, the Bahamas, Mexico, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, and St Lucia all firmly established as top choices. For European couples, Florida, Greece, Italy, France, Hawaii, Ireland, and Switzerland are among the most-requested destinations.
The right choice depends on your budget, the legal requirements, and the type of venue and climate you’re looking for.
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