Destination Weddings have increasingly gained popularity as they appear to be more affordable and feasible for modern couples who don’t want to deal with the fuss of having a big wedding. But it’s not always a more affordable option! And it could easily require just as much planning, so here’s a look at the pros and cons so you can decide if having a destination wedding is right for you.

Weighing your Options - When you’re a new bride or groom, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with all the decisions you have to make. If you choose to have a destination wedding, your options are often limited to what the venue (or resort) provides and their list of preferred vendors. When you don’t know an area very well, you’re more prone to go with what the venue offers and that can make the decision-making process a little easier. However, if you’re a picky bride and you want a lot of unique details, you should think twice before booking a venue that makes those decisions for you.

Additional Expenses - It’s become a popular trend to have an intimate and small destination wedding and then host a reception at home once you return. The potential con is that you could easily spend double the amount you’d normally spend on your wedding because you’re essentially hosting two celebrations - your ceremony and a party when you get back. Sometimes brides who are considering this think that they will spend less since they aren’t hosting a traditional wedding, but the bulk expensive of every wedding is the reception and not the ceremony. So if you want to have a destination wedding and a reception, consider cutting back on the big expenses - venue, rentals and catering - then it will be a more affordable option. Maybe a friend or family member owns property that would be the perfect venue or opt to serve cocktails and hors d'oeuvres instead of a sit-down dinner.

The Limited Guest List - The guest list for a destination wedding is typically a deciding factor for the bride and groom (and their families). Typically, the further your destination, the shorter the guest list. So if you’re thinking you want a simple beach wedding, consider if your guests live within a reasonable travel distance. Generally, you’d only invite people you are very close to if you are having a wedding that isn’t easy to get to or would require your guest to take time off work. For instance, if your dream is to have a wedding in another country, you probably shouldn’t invite all your friends!  

Combining the Wedding With the Honeymoon - Another trend is to pick a spot where you can get hitched while you’re on your honeymoon! In this case, you may choose to not have any guests. Similar to an elopement, but in a tropical location! If you don’t opt to have a reception when you return, you’ll probably be saving some big bucks that you can invest in your trip.

The main question you should ask yourself is: how do I envision my wedding day? Do you close your eyes and see all of your friends and family there with you? Or do you see yourself in a luxurious location? Or maybe barefoot in the sand with your family by your side? A good resource for lots of inspiration is the wonderful blog Style Me Pretty and their new destination blog. I hope this will help you determine if a destination wedding is right for you as you weigh the pros and cons.


Photo: Veggiegretz, Morguefile.com