If you are newly engaged, congratulations! And if you haven't decided where to get married, here are a few reasons why you might want to consider having a Destination Wedding rather than a traditional wedding:
- Out-of Pocket Costs. The average traditional wedding costs more than $27,000 (according to a recent study by Pew Research, The Wedding Report and the U.S. Census Bureau) and that does not include the honeymoon. A destination wedding can be significantly cheaper. The wedding guests most often pay for their own trip and accommodations, so the wedding couple only has to worry about themselves and any expenses associated with the ceremony and reception. The wedding couple might also consider paying the lodging expenses for their attendants.
- The shortened guest list. The people who are invited and choose to attend are, most likely, the people the bride and groom care about the most. This creates a warmer, more intimate ceremony. In addition, the Bride and Groom don't have to worry so much about where to draw the line on the guest list. Casual acquaintances or office co-workers aren't going to make the trip to a destination wedding. The parents, relatives, and close friends of the Bride and Groom will.
- The honeymoon is included. The average destination wedding guest stays for 3 or 4 nights, the bride and groom often stay for a week or more. Sometimes they may even switch resorts after the wedding, especially if they stayed at a "family friendly" resort for the ceremony but want "adults only" for the honeymoon.
- The scenery and photographs. Getting married in a beautiful and scenic
location is a blissful occasion that will be remembered for years to come. The wedding photos are a gorgeous reminder of the beautiful setting that everyone was able to enjoy.
- Less fussing. Leave the worrying about the details to the on-site wedding coordinator. The wedding coordinator has likely handled hundreds of ceremonies and knows exactly what needs to happen. The wedding couple and the guests are free to enjoy each other while the professionals worry about keeping everything and everyone on track.
One word of caution, it is best for the wedding couple to consider the financial circumstances of the people who are important to them. Just because they would like to be married in Bora Bora and may have saved enough to afford an extravagant getaway, it may be beyond the means of some of their guests. Keeping the costs down or possibly paying a portion of each guest's expenses may be the way to go.
At Fun 'n Sun Travel and Cruise, we are Honeymoon and Destination Wedding Specialists. We provide professional travel planning for destination weddings, family reunions, bachelor/bachelorette getaways, and virtually all other types of groups. Call us toll free at 855-557-5588 or email us at info@fnstravel.com to get started.
