Destination Weddings - Why You Should Consider
There are so many different ways a wedding can look. Some love a big party with a sit down dinner, some love an intimate ceremony in their backyard, and some just elope! Your wedding should reflect who you and your partner are as a couple. For the adventurous couple who wants an unforgettable few days, a destination wedding may be the perfect fit. People often associate destination weddings with couples who have an infinite wedding budget, but I’m here to tell you that this is not always the case! Let’s break down why you should have a destination wedding, and hopefully dispel some of those stereotypes.
Let’s dive right into the budget concerns. A destination wedding can actually save you money in some areas of your celebration. Couples often spend thousands of dollars on large venues, catering, place settings, buffets, guest gifts, live music, and more. When you have a destination wedding, you have the freedom to select which parts of the “traditional” wedding day you want to include. If you’re having a destination wedding, you’re likely inviting a limited guest list, which means reduced spending on guests.
Your destination wedding also is not required to take place in far away, exotic places like Bora Bora, Bali and The Bahamas. There are so many great places here in the United States that feel exotic without breaking the bank. Some of my personal favorite beach locations are in the Florida panhandle! Small towns like Rosemary Beach, Seaside and Miramar Beach are great options for couples who want to keep it more lowkey without sacrificing the stunning beach scenery. Or consider a national park - one of my favorite destination weddings I’ve ever photographed was at Glacier Mountain National Park in Montana.
Another major reason to choose a destination wedding is to make it more intimate. The pandemic showed us that intimate weddings with close friends and family can still be magical. Getting a large AirBnB for the weekend in your favorite destination to share with your loved ones is the experience of a lifetime. One event that I’m seeing more and more with destination weddings is a morning yoga session with your loved ones before the wedding festivities begin. Sharing a space with the people closest to you on such a momentous occasion is so sacred.
Why spend thousands upon thousands of dollars on a five hour event? If you have the opportunity to gather your loved ones together for a few days (or longer if you feel like splurging), take it! We spend so much time thinking about what our wedding day will look like, so why not extend the celebrations as long as you possibly can? As we grow older, the opportunities we have to gather together are rare. With jobs, school, kids, and life getting in the way, a destination wedding is such a special opportunity to share a life milestone with people who love you. If there’s one thing every human should remember, it’s that life is short and memories last longer and are worth more than anything else. So it’s time to get planning! If there’s anything you shouldn’t settle on, it’s your partner, and your wedding celebration.