Destination Weddings
Destination weddings have been growing in popularity with couples for many years now and the choice of packages and destinations to choose from is growing every year. Many couples think of destination weddings as being held on a tropical beach and whilst this is still the most popular choice, other destinations include European cities, African safaris and even ski resorts.
Although we typically think of a destination wedding as being overseas, it can actually refer to any wedding which is away from the couple’s normal place of residence. For instance jetting to the other side of the country to get married would also be considered as a destination wedding.
This type of wedding can be a cheaper alternative to having a wedding at home, usually because you will purchase a wedding package through the tour operator which will include everything from catering, venues, ceremony fees, flowers etc. What can push up the cost is the size of your wedding and the destination itself.
Wedding etiquette when it comes to destination weddings states that the bride and groom should pay for the accommodation costs of their guests, who then only need to pay for their flights. Whether you follow this or not is up to you but it is something you will need to factor in, particularly if there are guests you want at your wedding but who cannot afford the cost of travel.
Choose your choice of destination carefully. Popular wedding resorts at peak times can be very busy and some couples have experienced what is know as the ‘conveyor belt’ effect where couples are literally queuing up to get married. An experience which is not very romantic and rather impersonal. Find out through your tour operator about their policy with regards to how many weddings take place each day and which times of year are the busiest. You will also need to research your destination carefully in terms of weather conditions at certain times of year. Whilst it maybe the height of summer at home, it could well be tropical storm season somewhere else!
You will also need to choose your wedding attire with some care. Depending on where you are getting married you will need to consider fabrics, styles and how easy it will be to pack and de-crease at the other end. A beach wedding on a tropical shore calls for lightweight fabrics and loose fitting styles, whilst a wintry wedding at a ski resort would call for heavier fabrics and perhaps faux fur accessories!
Depending on your choice of destination there may also be some legal requirements before you can legally marry on their soil. These can include being resident in the country for a certain number of days, providing blood tests, proof of identity and sworn legal documents attesting to your identity and eligibility to marry.
Destination weddings are a wonderful alternative for those seeking a unique wedding. However, there is an element of the unknown about them as unless you have visited before, you will know nothing of the location until you arrive. Do plenty of research both through tour operators and online through forums and directories to make sure you have a fabulous wedding in paradise!
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