Is a Destination Wedding Right for You? The Pros and Cons Broken Down

Choosing the perfect setting for your wedding is a significant decision, and one option that is becoming more popular than ever is destination weddings.

The allure of exchanging vows against a backdrop of breathtaking scenery, combined with the excitement of a unique travel experience, makes a destination wedding an appealing choice for many couples.

But is it right for you?

Wedding Altar on Beach in Tropical Resort

Before you book those plane tickets and pack your bags, it’s essential to consider whether a destination wedding is the right choice for you.

Let’s break down the pros and cons of having a destination wedding to help you decide if this is the right route for you to take.

Spoiler alert: I’m completely biased, since I am a former destination wedding bride! And in my almost 10 years of helping other brides plan the destination wedding of their dreams, no one has ever regretted having one.

Pros of Destination Weddings

I could write about the pros of a destination wedding all day long, but here are my top 6 benefits of having a wedding away from home!

1. Cost Savings for Destination Weddings

 The number one pro of having a destination wedding is the cost savings! While destination weddings can sometimes cost more than a wedding at home, generally speaking, these types of weddings are much more budget-friendly.

All-inclusive resorts offer a wide number of wedding packages for couples, and some are even free!

Between having a reduced guest list and foregoing many of the traditional at-home wedding events and expenses, destination weddings can save you a lot of money!

Saving money is one of the top reasons to have a destination wedding!

Photo of Couple On Seashore During Dawn

2. Less Stressful Planning

Many destination wedding packages include comprehensive planning services, helping to alleviate the stress associated with organizing a wedding.

This is especially true at all-inclusive resorts in Mexico and the Caribbean. With a team of professionals managing the details, you can focus on enjoying the journey to your big day.

Check out my guide on how to plan a destination wedding (the stress-free way)!

3. Intimate Atmosphere

Having a destination wedding naturally limits the guest list, resulting in a more intimate celebration with close friends and family.

This allows for meaningful interactions and shared experiences that might be challenging in a larger, more traditional wedding setting.

Wedding Set-up on the Beach

4. Extended partying (!)

Not only do you get to spend more time with those you love, you can spend a fun-filled weekend (and sometimes even a week!) celebrating your wedding.

From welcome parties to rehearsal dinner, farewell brunch and everything in between, there are endless opportunities to get together with your guests and enjoy the atmosphere.

Why should the party end after a few hours?

Wedding Guests Throwing the Groom in the Air

5. Built-in Honeymoon

One of the perks of a destination wedding is that you’re already in a dreamy location, making it easy to transition seamlessly into your honeymoon.

This can be a cost-effective (and convenient!) way to start your married life. This doesn’t even mean you have to stay at the same place, but you can travel to a different location or resort and save on airfare.

For example, many destination wedding brides choose family-friendly resorts and switch to an adults-only resort after the wedding!

6. Amazing scenery

Destination weddings often take place in stunning locations, such as tropical beaches, historic landmarks, or charming countryside venues.

The picturesque settings can provide a beautiful backdrop for your wedding photos, creating memories that last a lifetime.

Bride in Salt Lake City

Cons of Destination Weddings

There are a number of pros to having a destination wedding, but it can come at a cost! Let’s look at some of the cons of getting married away from home.

1. Guest Attendance at Destination Weddings

While a destination wedding may be a dream come true for you, it may present challenges for your guests.

Travel expenses, time off work, and other commitments can limit the number of loved ones able to attend, potentially leading to disappointment. If having special people in your life at your wedding means a lot to you, this is something to think hard about.

Planning a destination wedding doesn’t always go the way you want. Even people who are gung-ho to book may end up dropping out (we had a few family members unable to attend at the last minute!), so this is something you need to prepare yourself for.

Man and Woman Wearing Wedding Attire Standing on Sea Dock during Golden Hour

However, many brides get around this by having a legal ceremony at home before or after their destination wedding if they don’t want to deal with legalities in another country.

At-home receptions are also a great way to include those unable to attend your destination wedding.

Check out my guide to the untold truths of destination weddings!

2. Cost Considerations

Destination weddings can be expensive for both the couple and their guests. Travel, accommodation, and other related expenses may strain budgets, making it crucial to weigh the financial implications carefully.

And yes, I have seen many destination weddings that cost way more than a wedding at home. It pays (literally) to do your research and see what packages and services include prior to booking.

3. Communication barriers

At home, we’re so used to having responses to voicemails and emails in a reasonable amount of time. With destination wedding coordinators, you can go weeks or months without hearing back from them.

Most coordinators don’t reach out until 2-3 months before the wedding, so if you’re the type of bride that needs to have your planner on speed dial, this may not be the route for you. 

Newly Wed on Seashore

4. Legal and Logistical Challenges

Getting married in a foreign country may involve navigating different legal requirements and paperwork. Some of this may include bloodwork, like in Mexico.

Add in potential language barriers, added fees, and navigating paperwork translation, and you may find yourself wanting to pull your hair out.

Destination weddings require more legwork into finding out how you can legally visit, along with how you can legally tie the knot.

The good news is, you can opt for a symbolic ceremony (more on this later!) and have your legal wedding at home. None of your guests have to even know!

Gold Wedding Bands on Sand

If you are a same-sex couple planning a destination wedding, it’s important to keep in mind that even in this day and age, there are still countries where same-sex marriages are illegal.

Anguilla, Bahamas, Antigua and Barbuda, British Virgin Islands, Dominica, and Grenada are examples of countries where same-sex marriage is illegal. This doesn’t mean you can’t have a symbolic ceremony, however.

5. Potential Limited Vendor Options   

Depending on your chosen destination, you might have limited options when it comes to vendors. This could impact your ability to customize certain aspects of your wedding, such as choosing specific flowers or working with your preferred photographer.

More and more, all-inclusive resorts are narrowing down their outside vendors to “preferred” vendors, meaning they only allow those vendors to come in for destination weddings.

Yellow Pink and Orange Flower Bouquet

6. Mother Nature

Nature has a way of surprising us, and this is especially true in unfamiliar destinations. Weather uncertainties can really affect your vision for your day, but this is why I tell brides to always have a backup location picked.

But if you have your heart set on getting married on a white sandy beach and it’s a tropical storm, you may end up disappointed.

Pros and Cons of a Destination Wedding: Is it Right for You?

Deciding whether a destination wedding is the right choice involves careful consideration of your priorities, budget, and the preferences of both you and your partner. While the draw of a romantic, far-off location may be tempting, it’s crucial to balance the dream with practicality. 

Not all couples choose this route and perhaps an at-home wedding suits you better. If you don’t enjoy travelling or are worried about whether your friends and family will come, you should take this into consideration. However, don’t let others’ opinions sway you. If you’re set on a destination wedding, GO FOR IT!

I still am (and always have been!) pro destination wedding. Sometimes it’s worth taking a chance to make your dream come to life, and hey, if you can save a few bucks along the way, that’s a bonus!

Destination weddings are meant to be less stressful, a heck of a lot more fun, and a way to create lifelong memories with those closest to you.

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destination wedding pros and cons
pros and cons of a destination wedding

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