What is a Destination Wedding?

Have you been invited to a destination wedding and aren’t exactly sure what that means? Or maybe you’re considering having one, but want to make sure you know what it entails before calling it a destination wedding. 

Either way, you’re here because you want to know what exactly a destination wedding is. Simply put, a destination wedding is a wedding that is held in a setting away from where you currently live. Below we’ll go over what it is in more detail, why people choose them, and why it may not be for everyone. 

A brief explanation

As stated earlier, and in its most simple definition, a destination wedding is a wedding held in a setting away from where you currently live. Of course, the meaning of this can vary greatly. Typically, when you hear about them it’s usually in a beach location with a warm climate. But a lot of brides choose to have a destination wedding in a different area of the country they already live in, or even halfway across the world. 

In the United States, when you hear of a destination wedding it’s usually going to be in a location like Mexico, Dominican Republic, or Jamaica. Some brides choose to stay in the country, but consider their wedding a destination if it’s far away from where they live and in a specific geographical area like the Florida oceanside or Rocky Mountains. 

Recently, due to COVID19, some brides are even doing rental vacation homes. In order to limit friends and family’s travel and exposure, it can be a nice way to get everyone together without being surrounded by hundreds of other travelers.

Why choose a destination wedding?

One of the most common reasons someone chooses to have one is to save money. There are plenty of other reasons why brides choose this option, though. 

Here are some other common reasons:

• Wanting a small, intimate wedding
• They want their wedding in a nicer climate
• Their love for travel and experiencing different places
• Not wanting to plan every detail of their wedding
• They want their wedding and honeymoon in one trip
• They want more time celebrating with friends and family

If you’re a friend or family member to someone you chose a destination wedding and you’re having a hard time understanding why, the above reasons may give you some more clarity. 

It’s not for everyone

With all of the above perks of having a destination wedding, we’d be remiss to mention that it may not be for everyone. There are a few things worth mentioning about it that may be a deal breaker for someone considering one. 

There’s usually less guests

If your dream wedding day includes hundreds of your friends and family members a destination wedding may not be for you. Although you can still invite as many people as you want, a majority of guests won’t be attending. There are still plenty of brides who have a large number of family and friends come to their wedding, but it’s important to tailor your expectations when sending your invitations. 

You don’t love to travel

If you’re afraid of flying or aren’t interested in travel in general, a destination wedding may not be what you’re looking for. Some brides want to plan their wedding within the comfort of their surroundings. Being able to meet with every vendor and see every detail in person is one reason why having a traditional wedding is so popular.

If must-have guests can’t attend

Do you have older grandparents that aren’t able to travel but you can’t imagine your wedding day without them there? It’s more exhausting and challenging for elderly to travel far distances with multiple flights, so consider this if you’re thinking of having a destination wedding. If they aren’t able to come you may need to reconsider.

Where should you have a destination wedding?

As of 2020, the most common locations for a destination are the following:

• Mexico
• Jamaica 
• Dominican Republic
• Bahamas
• Hawaii

Whether you’re looking for an all-inclusive resort, or a beautiful tropical location, you’ll definitely find it within that list. Price can vary greatly when it comes to the location of your wedding, so keep that in mind when debating where to have it. 

Need more help?

At Breezy Brides our number one goal is to help destination wedding brides in planning their big day. You’ll find tons of resources on our website, but here are some of the most common ones to get you started:

So You’ve Decided to Have a Destination Wedding – Now What?

How to Have the Perfect Destination Wedding – A 6 Step Guide

We also have reviews from brides who went through the planning process and had the wedding of their dreams. Check them out on our Wedding Reviews page if you’re looking for advice or resort ideas.

Also, did you know we have a planner specifically designed for destination wedding brides? It’s packed full of checklists, to-do’s, and tips and tricks to help plan your dream wedding. 

Check it out on Amazon here!

Also, follow us on Instagram where we post news and pictures about our planner more regularly. We also post tons of beautiful photos from past brides and weddings to give you a little inspiration.

So, does this answer your question? We’re hoping so! Whichever option you choose for your wedding will ultimately come down to what’s best for you and your future husband. Contact me here to let me know!