Some brides-to-be really are just like you see in movies; from a young age, they have every last detail of their elaborate wedding planned out, from the dress to the wedding flowers to the cake and the colors. Others are more carefree and just know that when the time comes, they will jet off somewhere romantic and exchange meaningful vows with their honey. Many soon-to-be-weds though, fall somewhere in between—having no clue whether they’d prefer a destination wedding or a reception on home turf.
As with other major dilemmas in life, sometimes the best thing to do is to weigh the pros and cons. There are some definite perks and downfalls to each type of wedding. Here, we take a look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of having a destination wedding.
It Can Be Low Stress
If wedding planning just isn’t really your thing, then a destination might be the way to go. Destination weddings have become more and more popular in recent years, and many resorts have gotten on board with the trend. A lot of resorts have someone on staff whose job it is to coordinate weddings for couples who are coming in to get married. In many cases, they will arrange almost all of the details for you. You just get to show up and enjoy.
Fewer Guests
One of the cons of a destination wedding is that some of your friends and family won’t be able to make it to your big day. Some won’t be able to afford the travel costs. Others won’t be able to get enough time off work, and still, others won’t feel comfortable with making the trip (e.g., those with small kids or the elderly.) Sometimes it’s difficult to imagine getting married without someone special there to see you take your vows, so the guest list is a definite factor in this decision.
Ironically, one of the pros of a destination wedding is that some of your friends and family won’t be able to make it to your big day. That’s right! You know you were thinking it. It may not be socially acceptable to say so, but we all have that family member or friend (or a few of them) who we can only take in small doses. You care about that person, but you just know that whoever you seat next to him/her at your reception is going to kill you. So, being able to invite only a small number of trusted loved ones (or none at all) can be a definite plus. It can also really keep costs down, especially if you have parents who want to invite everyone they’ve ever known to your wedding.
It’s Something Different
If you’ve been to a few weddings, you’ve likely noticed some commonalities. Unless something really out of the ordinary happens at a conventional ceremony or reception, then it will probably be quickly forgotten. A destination wedding is less commonplace and combines both an event and a vacation. In that way, it’s memorable and fun for guests. It’s important to keep in mind though, that having your guests right there on vacation with you might mean that you have less of a traditional honeymoon to yourselves.
You Have Exotic New Choices
A definite pro (that a few may see as a con) of a destination wedding is having exciting new options for decor and food. The wedding flower choices, for example, may be enitrely different in your chosen location than they are back at home. The selection of what’s in season at the time of your wedding may also be completely different. Be sure to look into these details ahead of time so you have a better idea of what you can get.
The food in your destination of choice might also be very different from what you’re used to eating. Make sure you know the options and that you choose something that you and your guests will enjoy.
It’s Somewhat Unpredictable
This is another example of a facet that may be considered one of the pros of a destination wedding or it may be thought of as a con. Some people relish the unknown while others absolutely loathe it. When you’re planning a wedding from far away, it’s hard to have your finger on every tiny detail. Even some of the more significant elements, like exactly what type of flowers will be used in your bouquets or what your ceremony spot will look like, will be somewhat unknown. You can get some idea from pictures, but until you’re actually there, it’s hard to know what everything will really be like.
Legalities
Different countries have different steps that must be taken to establish a legal marriage. If you’re planning on getting married in another country, you’ll have to sort out these details ahead of time to ensure that you meet all the conditions laid out in that area. Of course, you may just choose to go with an unofficial ceremony in your destination of choice and then head off to city hall once you’re home.
As you can see, one person’s cons of a destination wedding may be another person’s pros. It all depends on your situation and list of expectations. If you choose to have your wedding here in the US, Bouqs.com can make all your wedding flower dreams come true. We sell only the freshest blooms and offer both DIY and >pre-curated packages so that you get exactly what you want.
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