What is a Destination Wedding?
“A destination wedding is a type of wedding where the couple and their guests travel to a specific location, often in a different city, state, or country, to celebrate their wedding. This location is often a scenic or exotic place that the couple has a personal connection to or has always dreamed of visiting.”
I heard about the “destination wedding” for the first time several years ago and I fell madly in love with the concept of “wedding away from home”, so much so that I decided to focus above all on wedding videos dedicated to destination weddings.
Over the years, however, I have understood that not everyone knows this way to make their wedding day special, so I decided to write this guide article hoping that it can help couples about to get married decide whether the “destination wedding” can be a to celebrate the wedding day.
What you will find in this guide:
- What is Destination Wedding
- Benefits of having a Destination Wedding
- Drawbacks of having a destination Wedding
- Popular destinations for Destinations Weddings
- How to plan a Destination Wedding
- Destination Wedding etiquette
- Tips for attending a Destination Wedding
- Difference between “Destination Wedding” and “Traditional Wedding”
- Real-life Destination Wedding examples and stories
- Conclusions: is a Destination Wedding right for you?
We will try to better analyze the destination wedding meaning.
What is a Destination Wedding?
Have a Destination Wedding means choosing a destination far away from home or in a remote location in the world. This means that you love to travel and that you are willing to have more intimate ceremony, it also means that the wedding and honeymoon will be one unforgettable experience.
Destination weddings are the best fit for couples who are ready to host and celebrate with their guests in a unique location. Those kinds of events can also be advisable for couples who have many friends scattered around the world. A way to meet up in a special location to celebrate together.
Destination Weddings are a fantastic way to make one of the most memorable days of your life even more amazing.
Benefits of Having a Destination Wedding
In terms of benefits or advantages, there are several good reasons to consider a destination wedding the biggest have to do with cost, convenience, and the overall experience that a destination wedding can provide.
Below I will show you the most important ones:
- The first and most obvious pro associated with planning a destination wedding is being able to get married and exchange vows in a special setting for you and your partner.
- Another important benefit of having a destination wedding is to plan a smaller guest list. You will have the opportunity to plan an intimate wedding. The upshot is that you can tailor your guest list to include the people who are most important to you.
- You will potentially save money on wedding costs. Getting married, even when it’s on a smaller scale, can still be expensive. The typical couple spent from € 20.000 to € 50.000 and even more it depends on how big is the wedding. The typical destination wedding, on the other hand, costs from € 3.000 to € 40.000 and even more. Choosing an all-inclusive hotel for the ceremony and reducing the number of vendors and guests you will save money.
Drawbacks of Having a Destination Wedding
Though destination weddings have their appeal, they may not be right for every couple. If you’re thinking about planning a wedding someplace exotic, here are a few of the most important things to keep in mind.
Below I will show you the most important drawbacks of having a destination wedding:
- More planning may be required. Planning a wedding in a country you’ve never been to—or may have only visited once—can add a few wrinkles. For instance, you may need to consider things such as the exchange rates for currency, potential language barriers, and marriage license requirements. You’ll also need to consider travel restrictions to determine whether you’ll even be able to visit the destination of your choice.
- Guests may not attend. An unwritten rule about destination weddings is that it’s perfectly acceptable not to invite certain people if you know they won’t be able to come or would prefer not to. That doesn’t mean, however, that the people you do invite are guaranteed to show. There may be financial or logistical barriers that keep them from attending, which can make your wedding party smaller than you originally planned. If someone particularly special to you is unable to attend, that could take some of the joy out of the day.
- Unexpected events are always lurking even in the organization of a traditional wedding. If you get married in a distant or exotic place, they may increase or you may have to take some of them into account (hurricanes, illnesses, etc.). Purchasing wedding insurance and/or travel insurance can help to protect you financially in a worst-case scenario.
Popular Destinations for Destinations Weddings
- Beach Wedding Destination: if your dream is to get married on the beach, probably the most common image is a ceremony in a tropical beach with white sand and palm trees, crystal clear water and warm temperatures. The most popular locations for this type of wedding are the Caribbean islands which are also the cheapest: Jamaica, Mexico and the Bahamas. The coastal areas of Europe should also not be underestimated, some of the most beautiful are: the south of France (Côte d’Azur), Spain (Costa Blanca), Italy (Sicily, Sardinia, Amalfi Coast), Greece (Santorini, Mykonos). Bali and the coast of Thailand are great options for those who want to go somewhere further flung.
2. Mountain Wedding Destination: if, however, your desire is to live your best day ever and say “I do” among the majestic peaks of a mountain, plan this type of wedding is right for you! National and State Parks are great options for couples that want to host their wedding within the U.S. You can also decide to host your wedding at the mountain top resort such as a chalet nestled in the Alps. Even in Africa you can discover some incredible places for an adventurous wedding.
3. Vineyard Wedding Destinations: the vineyard can be the ideal setting for planning your wedding, a wedding to also experience as a tasting experience of fine wines. It could be a valid alternative to a resort, these vineyards often have accommodation facilities to accommodate guests too. Tuscany and Provence could be charming destination in Europe. Even in south Africa you can discover interesting travel experiences.
4. Historic Property Wedding Destinations: if you and your future spouse are passionate about art, history and architecture this is the kind of wedding for you. Choosing a historic home as the setting for your wedding will allow you to enjoy the artistic beauties. Italy and France are great options if you’re hoping to get married in a villa or sprawling chateau, while England, Scotland, and Germany are perfect for castle lovers
5. City Wedding Destinations: A romantic trip between European capitals: Paris, London, Rome, Madrid, Athens. You can choose one of these capitals rich in history and artistic heritage as the frame of your wedding. But you can also consider Marrakech, Bangkok, or Rio De Janeiro that are becoming more popular international destinations.
How to Plan Destination Wedding
Have you always dreamed of a wedding in a breathtaking location? On a paradisiacal beach or in a city of art?
Have a Destination Wedding means choosing a destination far away from home or in a remote location in the world. This means that you love to travel and that you are willing to have more intimate ceremony, it also means that the wedding and honeymoon will be one unforgettable experience.
So what is a destination wedding? Destination weddings are the best fit for couples who are ready to host and celebrate with their guests in a unique location. Those kinds of events can also be advisable for couples who have many friends scattered around the world. A way to meet up in a special location to celebrate together.
Destination Weddings are a fantastic way to make one of the most memorable days of your life even more amazing. But where do you even start to bring your dream big day to life? How to plan a destination wedding?
Obviously the first step to take in, planning a Destination Wedding, is choosing the place where you want to get married. It means firstly choosing the country and then also the venue or the specific place (a particular beach, a mountain resort, an urban context etc.).
If you have a place of your heart such as the place where your fiancé asked you to get married during the last holiday spent together, or a place dear to you and your family, it could be a starting point. But analyze some aspects carefully: What did you love about the location? Did the weather play a big factor? Did you love the people and the culture?
If the answers to these questions are consistent with those destinations that are dear to you, it means that you are on the right path on choosing the location of your wedding.
If, on the other hand, some answers are not compatible with those locations, you should consider other options that can satisfy all your expectations.
Destination Wedding Etiquette
Before you start packing your bags for the trip of your life it would be important to consider the etiquette surrounding such a big commitment.
If you ask your guests to jump on a plane and cross the planet to attend your wedding, you still have to follow some rules.
From choosing a venue that can meet the needs of your guests, to sending save-the-date well in advance. Always remember these steps to demonstrate that you’re respectful towards your guests while remaining faithful to your dream destination.
Don’t forget to always share all the information from the most important ones such as travel documents, vaccines, up to the weather conditions that will allow them to choose what to pack.
And don’t underestimate even the small details that can make the difference such as warmly welcoming guests upon their arrival with drinks and treats to snacks in their rooms.
Tips for attending a Destination Wedding
On this path that will lead you to better understand what is a destination Wedding here there are for you some useful tips to keep in mind are certainly:
- Take the unpredictability out of a destination wedding by visiting the location before you start planning. Booking a ceremony venue, hotel or resort sight unseen can be risky;
- Be well informed about the travel documents needed for you and your guests. For example, if passport is required, ask your guests to request one or make sure it is still valid as well as all other travel documents. If necessary, think about any insurance coverage for you and your guests against loss of luggage, delay or possible unforeseen events or medical insurance;
- Understand when huge cultural events (such as local religious holidays) or sporting events occur in your destination of choice. These holidays can affect everything from venue pricing, accommodation availability, and ease of booking vendors, so it is better to avoid booking your wedding on these dates;
- Get information on local weather conditions in the periods concerned. Compare the most reliable forecasts. Be sure to include this information on your wedding invitations so guests can pack appropriately.
- Keep in mind cultural differences and language barriers: what languages are spoken? Will your guests be able to communicate easily in English? Are there habits and customs to keep in mind? Are there particular legislative indications to know? Ensure there are no recent travel warnings, political issues, or health concerns in the region, if there are make sure your guests are fully informed and that none of your guests will feel uncomfortable due to their religion, gender, or sexual preference;
- Find a planner or coordinator that specialized in destination weddings, you have an expert taking care of it all for you.
Destination Weddings Vs. Traditional Weddings: What’s the difference?
What is a Destination Wedding? What is a Traditional Wedding? Is this what you imagine a wedding to look like?
Usually, in a traditional wedding there is a church or a civil ceremony, followed by a reception where you get to celebrate your love with your guests.
Certainly, every wedding can be different in size and style, but for traditional wedding this is the scheme.
Choosing a destination wedding takes you away from home to a stunning location. You can exchange vows right next to the ocean or in an amazing countryside if you choose. There’s a more casual feel and often fewer guests.
These are the basic differences between traditional and destination weddings.
In traditional weddings there are no travel or accommodations costs. It’s easier for everyone you want to attend to be there. But the drawbacks are that the costs add up an average of over € 30.000 and the planning can be stressful.
To better understand what is a destination wedding it’s important to remember that in Destination Weddings you will be able to get married in a stunning location and there’s less planning to stress you out. In the other hand, some friends and family may not be able to attend, there is some paperwork to navigate.
Real-Life. What is a Destination Wedding? – Examples and Stories
I have been dealing with destination weddings as an Italian Wedding Videographer for several years.
I have had the opportunity to travel a lot around Italy and tell beautiful love stories of couples who came from all over the world from the United States to Australia.
Each couple is different both in style and in how they wanted to organize their event. But the common element among all these couples is certainly the love for Italy and the destinations it offers.
Here I want to show you three examples of Destination Weddings in Italy that can demonstrate what has just been said.
Mike & Alex – Destination Wedding at Masseria San Giovanni – Puglia
The stylish and trendy destination Wedding in Puglia of Mike and Alex who came from USA and UK to Puglia to get married.
Alex and Mike are two guys from two different countries in terms of culture and history.
Mike is a nice and cheerful boy surrounded by many friends who support him. Mike was born and raised in the UK.
Alex, a very sweet, sensitive and emotional girl, was born and raised in the USA and left her country for love, moving to London for Mike.
They decided to get married in Italy in a dream location immersed in the countryside, a “Masseria”(Masseria San Giovanni).They said yes with a symbolic ceremony officiated by a dear friend of theirs. They had around 80 guests.
After the ceremony they had an aperitif in one of the courtyards of the farm with all their friends and family and then continued with a dinner sitting on a lawn right next to a splendid swimming pool.
After dinner an amazing party with drinks and DJ set.
Ace & Hannah – Destination Wedding at Locanda in Tuscany – Tuscany
Ace and Hannah have chosen the green Tuscan hills to swear eternal love (Locanda in Tuscany). The style of their wedding was characterized by elegance and made in Italy.
I met Ace and Hannah a year before their wedding because they chose an extra service, a save the date film shot in the location of their wedding.
It was very nice to get to know each other and become familiar with each other. They told me their story and how their meeting changed them for the better.
Ace was living a sad and unhappy moment in his life, while Hannah never stopped, always traveling around, she was a free spirit who would never have thought of getting married.
And instead, the two halves came together, creating such a strong couple that they even created a business together.
On the day of their wedding, they got ready in the same venue where the symbolic ceremony was held afterwards.
They had around 60 guests. After the ceremony, while the guests took a hot air balloon ride, the spouses took a moment together for some couple shots.
And then an aperitif under a pergola and dinner sitting under stars of the Tuscan countryside. The evening ended with a very fun party with a Parisian band followed by DJ set.
Hubert and Natalie – Destination Wedding at Tonnara di Scopello – Sicily
The exclusive location as Tonnara di Scopello, a place of indescribable beauty, was the setting for the amazing wedding of Hubert and Natalie. The Tonnara di Scopello is rare and sincere testimony to tuna fishing and the history of the Mediterranean.
Hubert is a Polish boy who traveled with his family and friends to reach Sicily. He loves to travel but always preserves the traditions of his country of origin.
Natalie is a girl with Italian-German roots who is very sensitive and also in love with travel.
The theme of the trip is what brought them together and made them know and their wedding was also testimony to this.
Their wedding took place on the Tonnara pier surrounded by the beautiful rocky cliffs overlooking the sea, between the sound of the sea and seagulls. They got married in a symbolic ceremony.
After ceremony an aperitif took place against the same spectacular view. Followed by dinner sitting in the Tonnara courtyard with two imperial tables overlooking the sea and in front of the chapel.
Finally, the amazing party with bartenders acrobats and DJ set unit late at night.
The next day the couple held a beach party an BBQ.
Conclusions: is a Destination Wedding Right for you?
We have finally reached the end of this article.
Now you will surely be able to answer the question: “What is a DestinationWedding?”
I hope it has been useful to you to better understand what a Destination Wedding is and what its strengths and disadvantages are compared to a traditional wedding.
At this point you have all the useful information to decide whether the Destination Wedding is right for you or not!
If you decide to do one and come to Italy, write to me, I will be happy to offer you further advices and why not be your Destination Wedding Videographer!