Choosing the Location for your Destination Wedding
You’re engaged, and you and your partner have decided on a destination wedding. First of all, congratulations! This is such an exciting time, and it’s so important to take the time to enjoy it with your significant other. Of course, you’re excited to be married, but the process of wedding planning can be lots of fun too.
With that being said, here are some factors to take into consideration when choosing the location for your destination wedding.
Who are the people who must be there in order for you and your significant other to enjoy the day?
In general, we are strong proponents for choosing the location and elements that speak most to you as a couple. However, most couples have a select group of people that absolutely must attend in order for you to enjoy your wedding day. This group is different for everyone, but if there is anyone on this list for you, we recommend discussing their needs and expectations with them well before you choose the destination. If you have a grandparent whose health prevents them from traveling far, or a best friend with a high demand job that doesn’t allow them to take more than a few days off work, these are things you should know beforehand to save yourself the heartache later. Again, this is YOUR wedding day, and the only opinion that really matters here is yours, but you know better than anyone if the absence of a particular person will take away from your happiness on the wedding day.
What is your vibe?
You and your partner likely already have an idea in your head of what you imagine your day will look like, but if you don’t, consider your travel style. Are you beach bums, or do you prefer a winter wonderland escape? Do you like bohemian styling in the high desert, or do you prefer glamping in the mountains? The vibe is the single most important factor in making your wedding day YOURS. This goes kind of hand in hand with the next point, which is…
What kind of weather and climate do you want?
For some, the wedding might need to take place on a particular date, or during a specific season. Whether your work schedule means you have summers off, or you have decided you absolutely must get married on the day you met or around a holiday you love, you may already have decided on the time of year or even date that you want to get married. You also know what you like, in terms of weather. If tropical storms and sunburns don’t bother you, you might consider a warmer climate, but if you know you don’t want to sweat off your makeup and you love velvets and heavier fabrics, perhaps winter is a better time for you.
How far do you want to go?
Will this be an international affair on the other side of the globe, or a stunning getaway in, figuratively or literally, your own backyard? Do your must-attends all have passports? Are they open to potentially getting visas or vaccinations in order to attend your wedding? In the world of Instagram, it seems that there’s a lot of pressure to have a far-flung destination wedding in another country, but that may not be feasible for everyone. Travel is more a mindset than anything else, and with the way most families are spread across the country these days, most weddings are destination weddings for at least a handful of your guests. Perhaps the real reason you wanted a destination is because you want a weeklong celebration full of wedding festivities and celebrations centered around your love. If that’s the case, the good news is, you can do that anywhere.
What’s your budget?
Keep in mind, while some destinations may be super affordable for things like venue, florals, or food, getting there may bring your costs up. This all depends where you are currently based. It’s no secret that weddings in the US are getting more and more expensive, but that doesn’t necessarily mean going abroad = savings. When planning your budget, consider the cost of flights, accommodation, and wedding expenses. Decide what’s most important to you, and start there to allow yourself to cut, if needed, on the things that are less important to you.