Photo: Fairmont Mayakoba Wedding planned by G World Travel
As traditional weddings become pricier (New York and New Jersey being the most expensive states in the country to get married in), destination weddings are becoming increasingly more popular – and for good reason. Here are some pros to help you make the decision to take the plunge in paradise.
Postcard Worthy Backdrops
From white sandy beaches overlooking turquoise blue waters, and lush gardens with tall palm trees to jaw- dropping cliffside views, destination weddings offer the opportunity for you to have an iPhone-wallpaper-worthy backdrop for your wedding. There’s nothing quite like a stunning view. Not to mention, a beautiful environment brings a glow to your face, and a vacation puts everyone in the best spirits.
Photo Ops
Speaking of backdrops, destination weddings really take wedding photography to a whole other level. It doesn’t get any better for a wedding photographer. Your photographer will soak up the natural lighting and capture beautiful memories in the prettiest setting. The photo opportunities are endless.
Savings
Destination weddings are a fraction of the cost of a traditional wedding. Many locations in the Caribbean and Mexico even offer free wedding packages. Many resorts and locations have wedding packages inclusive of the essential vendors and services needed, so you don’t have to go crazy trying to budget or stay in touch with different companies. Most destination wedding venues charge one cost for everything. Including, at no additional charge, your on-site wedding planner. Most likely, you will not have as many guests attend your destination wedding as you would if you stayed local. That all adds up to fewer people you need to feed, less flowers/décor you need to have and more money in your pocket.
More Time to Celebrate
Picture cramming in getting ready, taking photos, a ceremony, dinner, dancing and mingling with guests within a few hours. A destination wedding is the perfect way to keep the party going. Many couples say once their wedding day is over, they wish it could have lasted longer. With a destination wedding, you and your guests celebrate you and your love for multiple days and enjoy a vacation as well. With destination weddings, you’ll have days instead hours to celebrate and you can control how many different events you’ll have. The possibilities are endless. From a welcome cocktail party, day excursions, game night, farewell dinner, bridal party brunch and more. There aren’t many opportunities where you’ll have so many people you love, all in the same location so plan away. Destination weddings give you time and that is irreplaceable.
Incentives
Many resorts commonly offer great concessions inclusive of and not limited to, resort credits for all your guests, room upgrades, free nights, free events and more! After years of planning destination weddings, I know exactly which places hold the best value, incentives and overall experience.
Planning Is a Breeze
Forget about running to different vendors before and after your wedding day. Plan everything from the comfort of your home. I make myself available to my clients via email, phone or text, 7 days a week. I become the point of contact for all guests so my brides are not worrying about anyone’s travel arrangements. I also put my clients in touch with a professional on-site wedding planner who will handle all the details of their ceremony and reception planning. That’s one person in charge of everything – wedding related. Sounds like a piece of wedding cake.
More Vacation Time
With a destination wedding, you’re either already in your honeymoon location or it’s the perfect excuse for another vacation. Many of my clients choose to extend their stay for some alone time, long after guests are gone or they change hotels for a more intimate, adults-only experience, while some of my clients jet off to another destination or return home before taking a honeymoon. As if you needed any more of a reason to extend your vacation.
