It’s February in Wisconsin. (Fun fact: it is also February in the rest of the world…) It might be a mild February in Wisconsin, but it’s still winter, which brings to mind two words – “destination weddings”! There are many things to consider before planning this type of event. Let’s discuss.
Pros
- You can use the environment to personalize your wedding even further than you could with a local place. If you’re skiers, go to Vail. If you share a mutual love for Italian food, have your wedding in Rome. Beach-goers would love a Floridian wedding. You get the idea.
- Most destination weddings are more casual affairs. You probably won’t get married in a church. A long veil would be inappropriate…as may be shoes. If you were hoping for a more informal affair, this could be perfect for you.
- Most destination weddings can be planned with one local wedding expert so you don’t have to worry about the details. If you go to an all-inclusive hotel, they will probably have a consultant handle all the details. Travel to a foreign city and you can hire a local wedding planner who knows who to call. If you don’t need to have your hand in all the little details, here’s a perfect way to hand it over to those in the know.
- This trip doubles as your honeymoon! No need to say anything more.
- This is potentially your cheaper option. Of course, you could spend as much money as you want even on a beach, but there is a good chance you’ll get a small package price that includes flowers, a photographer, an officiate, cake, and champagne toast. If you’re at an all-inclusive, your reception food and dancing in the nightclub will be included in the guests’ package price. (This also assumes you don’t do another reception when you return home.)
Cons
- So yes, the destination wedding might be cheaper for you, but there’s a chance it will be exponentially more expensive for your guests. This means you’ll probably have a smaller guest list. You might have to front some money for someone that has to be there and/or you have to decide if you’ll be ok if someone important can’t make it. Frame the trip as a family reunion or vacation with friends to get over the costs. Though important, they won’t just be traveling for your wedding.
- You probably will have to give your guests a long lead time to plan for the trip. You’ll need to wrestle with schedules early on and make sure folks secure the date (and start to secure the financial reserves) as soon as possible.
- As previously mentioned, the resorts will probably have packages for you to pick from, but that’s it. If you don’t like their photographer, who are you going to bring in? If you don’t like their bouquets, you won’t have a chance to have a say. Are you ok with this? (And if so, please be my friend…I need level-headed people like this in my life!)
- You will be carrying the most important luggage of your life. A friend of mine got married in Jamaica and tells the story of her and her soon-to-be husband running between terminals in Atlanta with her wedding dress floating behind them like a big surrender flag as their gate was changed over and over again. Of course, you’ll have your dress as your carry-on item, but what about the stuff that’s checked? Will you be ok if your shoes don’t make it? Or your grandma’s lucky handkerchief? If not, consider shipping a box ahead of time.
- This trip doubles as your honeymoon…and you’re sharing it with bunches of your nearest and dearest. The romance might not be flowing if you have to hear about an uncle’s Montezuma’s revenge or make daytrip plans for all of your college girlfriends. Either establish some guidelines ahead of time or plan on a few extra days after everyone heads home. (Or if you can afford it, plan another trip in the near future!) A little private time will be good for every new bride and groom.
What are your thoughts on destination weddings? I’m going to showcase other travel tips and ideas throughout the month of February. Stay tuned!
