Pros And Cons Of Destination Weddings
Deciding a venue for a wedding is one of the biggest and most crucial tasks when its comes to planning your wedding. Whether you’re looking to get married in a church in your hometown or fly across the globe to say your “I Do’s” it is always difficult to contemplate the right decision.
During the recent year the weddings are getting smaller and many people prefer on having a closely knitted ceremony on a far away island. Destination wedding photographers I’ve spoken with have told me the number of guests they see when their couples are getting married abroad is getting smaller.
The size of such destination weddings differ greatly. Sometimes it is just the couple leaving for their intimate wedding, sometimes they have their family and friends along with them, and often they throw huge destination wedding going over the whole weak with crazy parties and getaways for the guests. The size majorly depends on the couple’s preferences along with their budget for the wedding. If your looking into destination weddings in Europe, the country you choose could also effect the number.
Destination weddings however have proven to be hassle free, giving more enjoyment opportunities and a perfect ad ideal wedding ceremony for the couple. According to multiple researches couples going for a destination wedding along with their close group of family and friends tend to enjoy more, they are more relaxed and the happiness could be felt right away.
Destination wedding planners I have worked with have also told me the same. I’d worked along side Gio Daye of Accent Events who knows all about planning a wedding in Italy. And after we had worked together with be being her Lake Como Wedding Photographer she told me all about how couples just loved their weddings abroad.
Despite of what couples may decide for themselves there are a few pros and cons of destination weddings that I’ve highlighted here.
As an optimist lets begin with the Pros!
The Pros Of Destination Wedding
Destination Wedding Is A Whole Package
It is true that destination weddings are said to be less stressful and more relaxing. All the couple has to do is fly off with a group of their closest friends and family, arrive at an amazing destination wedding location anywhere in the world they like. It won’t be super practical to arrange everything yourself although thats not to say it can’t be d0ne that way. During my time as a Tuscany Wedding Photographer for Mark + Megan they had a wedding planner that had completed all of the hard work for them.
Destination Wedding Can Save You From The Family Drama
Another advantage of destination wedding. When when couples have a destination wedding, the guest list includes only close family members and the best friends. One can avoid all the distant cousins, aunts and uncles that you may think would cause any drama. You can simply avoid the people you would rather not have at your wedding and go for an intimate wedding with only the closest people. For the extended family you can always send pictures, warm wishes and you are good to go. You could take this one step further and elope for your wedding. You can find the best places to elope in Europe on my blog for more inspiration there.
You also have the option of a post wedding reception/party at home on your return from your wedding.
Less Guests means kinder on your budget
Destination weddings have short guest lists which makes the overall wedding expenses low. Instead of having a 150-300 wedding, your destination wedding can have a much smaller number. During one of my trips as an Italy Wedding Photographer I photographed a wedding at Villa Relais Vittoria fro Jo + Mark. They only had 9 guests at their wedding and its was magical. The ultimate family members and a few close friends will make the guest list the shortest and comparatively can prove to save you money to invest in important things such as wedding photography, good food and better wine.
Extended Honeymoon Opportunity
Instead of spending your wedding night at home or a hotel in your hometown, you’ll be staying somewhere a little more special. You can spend your wedding night somewhere super dreamy like Sicily or Cyprus. You can even have your honeymoon right after the wedding. If you do get married overseas and have your honeymoon in the same location you can always return a few years later to relive those moments on occasions like your anniversary.
Destination Weddings Can Be Great Family Time
With destination weddings only including the people who are closest to the couple. This gives you the opportunity to bond with each other’s family and have a great family time together. It is like having all the important people on one single trip. There are multiple activities which the guests can indulge in making their own memories and simply having a great time.
The Cons Of Destination Weddings
It Can Become Hectic
If you’re not in the position to invest in a destination wedding planner and the place you have your heart set on doesn’t have a decent wedding coordinator, things could begin to go wrong. The whole process tends to become extremely difficult with all the arrangements being made from a distance. You just have to take extra precautions if you have to arrange everything yourself. The legal side to weddings abroad are different for each location too. You will have to be sure to study those and it could be difficult arranging everything in a foreign place. This could be avoided by booking a resort which offers you the right services you need.
You May Miss Out On A Few Important People
Destination weddings are sometimes a little more to ask on your wedding guests. They have to arrange their expenses, they will have to take time off from work and this could result in some people you really want there not being able to make it. Also elderly people are more hesitant in destination weddings as it is out of their comfort zone with all the travelling. You’ll probably know this before you decide on having a destination wedding, though its very important to be aware of.
You May Not Be Able To Be Legally Married
When looking into your destination wedding locations you’ll need to do your research on wether or not you can legally marry there. In France for instance and at the time of writing you need to reside in the country fro at least 30 days before you can legally get married there. You’ll need to provide proof of residency too. In a nutshell you’ll need to speak with planners and officials in your destination wedding country to find out if you can be legally married there.
