There are plenty of misconceptions surrounding destination weddings, and we know better! You see, we plan destination weddings every day, and we have seen what really can be expected. Since destination weddings are becoming more popular, we wanted to debunk the myths that we hear the most:
- The cost of our wedding and our travel will be too high: A destination wedding can actually be less expensive than what you can create at home. It generally depends upon where you decide to get married that will determine the affordability. Of course, if you are looking to have an extravagant wedding then it will be expensive no matter where you have it. A number of factors can make your wedding more affordable, including the size of your guest list (less is not always less expensive), favorable exchange rates, discounted packages, time of year, and many others. Some resorts even offer couples a free wedding!
- It will be too difficult to plan: Planning a wedding at home is stressful, so many people envision planning a wedding in another country, or even state, can be even harder. Thankfully our Travel Experts are here to help! Our Experts have personally visited each venue that we work with, so they know the ins and outs of each one. They also have great relationships with the wedding coordinators that work at each resort. Let our Experts take care of all the difficult stuff, while you enjoy being engaged and planning the party!
- My guests will not be able to afford it: The people who want to be there will be there, regardless of where you choose to have your wedding. People are always looking for the perfect reason to take a vacation! Typically, we have found that your guests have already determined that they want to take a vacation anyway, so they will often re-allocate those funds to traveling to your destination wedding. They love the idea that they can go to an exotic beach destination AND attend a wedding at the same time. Many times they view it as a family reunion.
- My wedding won’t be personalized: The resorts that specialize in destination weddings have the ability to completely customize your wedding packages and style. They can even do things that can’t be done in the states easily, such as fireworks, and a horse and carriage.
- I can’t plan a wedding when I don’t speak the native language of the destination: The employees of the resorts that cater to the American destination weddings are required to be fluent in English. They can communicate very well verbally, as well as in written English. They also have all of their documents written in English.
- I will be responsible for entertaining my guests during their ENTIRE stay: We typically recommended that you host a welcome reception or cocktail hour and a farewell breakfast/brunch for your guests. Other than those two events, and the wedding, that is all you are responsible for! It is easy to put together a welcome bag with a list of activities and tourist attractions in the area, that way your guests can choose their own itinerary.
- I can’t possibly pay for my guests’ travel expenses: Typically, it is not expected that you pay for your guests to attend your wedding. If there is a guest or two that cannot afford to be there and you don’t want them to miss it, you are more than welcome to pay their way. Be careful, you don’t want others expecting you will do the same for them. Most resorts will offer discounted room rates for your guests, which will drive the cost down. We strongly recommend the All-Inclusive resorts for your wedding, so that you and your guests can know well in advance how much your travel will cost.
- Only a few friends and family will get to share my special day: The average number of guests at a destination wedding is around 40, however, keep in mind that the more people you invite, the more will come. Also, keep in mind that at home you only get a few short hours to enjoy your guests, and it is such a whirlwind of events going on that you will not be able to enjoy them all. With a destination wedding, you have DAYS to enjoy with those who attend. Nothing says you can’t sponsor a reception once you arrive back home.
- It’s too complicated to get legally married outside of the U.S.: Although there are a few more steps involved when getting married in another country, the general procedure of obtaining a marriage license remains the same. There is always a symbolic ceremony if you don’t want to take those extra steps. Don’t worry! Our Travel Experts will guide you every step of the way.
- I don’t want a beach wedding: We know that when most people hear “destination wedding” they automatically envision a toes-in-the-sand wedding. However, if having your wedding on a beach isn’t your dream, there are plenty of other locations to choose from! You can choose gardens, rooftops, piers, ballrooms, or even chapels, just to name a few. Whatever your vision, we can most likely make it a reality!
- Destination weddings are only for people who want to elope or those renewing their vows: In the past, it seems that this may have been the general thinking. However, now destination weddings are a popular choice for newly engaged couples as well as those eloping or renewing their vows, especially since the idea of minimizing cost and stress is very appealing.
- I don’t want all of my guests on my honeymoon with me: We understand, you are now married and want some alone time. Our Experts can assist you in moving down the road, or even traveling to a different location for your honeymoon portion so that your guests can stay and play, and the two of you can go off alone. The all-inclusive resorts are like a world of their own, so you can even move next door and never see your guests again unless you choose to.
So there you have it! A destination wedding is not only exciting, but affordable, fun, unique, and a beautiful way to marry the person you adore!
We would love to assist you in getting your destination wedding planned. We plan destination weddings every day and we can help you navigate through the entire process. The best part is that our services are 100% FREE! So contact us and one of our Destination Wedding Travel Experts will be happy to assist you.