According to The Knot’s seventh annual Real Weddings Report, which surveyed more than 27,000 newly married couples in the past year, destination weddings are now more prevalent today than they have ever been in the past. In fact, perhaps you may have already planned a destination wedding on a whim without really thinking about it. But if you were planning your dream destination wedding, here are some ideas to make the experience memorable, and the reason why destination weddings are so popular.
One of the top reasons that destination weddings are so popular is because the bride and groom can get away from it all. Whether they are getting married in Hawaii, Florida or Canada, the bride and groom can be at ease because they have completed the major tasks of the ceremony and reception. These include sorting out their attire, getting the cars ready for the trip and finding accommodations. These things can all take up a considerable amount of time, leaving little time to plan the actual ceremony and reception.
Planning and preparing for destination weddings also give couples time to enjoy the sites where they will be holding the ceremonies and receptions. Instead of driving around to every location looking for a place to have the ceremony, couples can simply choose one, say, their home town to get married in. This allows them to spend some time with friends and family, as well as familiarize themselves with the local establishments. And since most destination weddings involve couples having a number of locations to choose from, they can easily locate a wedding venue that fits the needs and tastes of each couple, without driving around aimlessly.
Destination wedding packages often include accommodations, transportation and meals to the ceremony, as well as guided tours of the destinations chosen by the couples. Some resorts will even provide couples with a welcome party to help them transition into their new homes. These parties are perfect for newlywed honeymooners to relax and feel comfortable, as they make the transition to their new life together. Some resorts will also throw in some free tickets to local attractions and fun activities to make the stay even more enjoyable.
Another great option for those who want to cut down on travel and keep things more intimate is to create their own guest list. Some couples who choose destination weddings to escape the usual busy city life will instead select a location that has a small population of guests. Couples who want to select a location with a smaller guest list but know that they want to keep the ceremony private will instead opt for a destination that doesn’t offer much in the way of guest amenities. Some resorts and cruise lines offer couples the ability to personalize their guest lists by emailing or phone, so that they only list members of their wedding party. This option is usually less expensive and allows for more control over who sees the ceremony and who doesn’t, allowing the couple more privacy.
Destination weddings also allow couples to select their attire. While many people assume that destination weddings will require a lot of the same formal attire that a traditional wedding will require, the truth is that you may be permitted to wear whatever you feel comfortable in, so long as it’s in keeping with the culture of the area in which the wedding will take place. Some locations may even allow casual clothing as long as it’s in contemporary styles. Couples may even be permitted to rent a dress for the ceremony if they feel uncomfortable wearing one of their wedding dresses.