Destination Weddings: Pros & Cons
Destination Weddings are becoming much more of a trend. More couples are looking to travel internationally and exchange vows overseas. In our previous blog, we discussed how destination weddings are defined and the unique experiences they bring. Today, we are going to discuss the pros and cons of them.
Pros
· They are significantly cheaper due to having lower guest counts.
· Resorts that are all-inclusive offer wedding packages customized for the couple and their unique needs.
· The couple can have their wedding and honeymoon at the specific destination.
· The celebrations of Destination Weddings can be extended for 3-4 days at a time.
· They also offer some of the best photography services in their locations. The setups are breathtaking and are in their most natural elements.
· While all of this sounds wonderful, destination weddings bring a different set of obstacles that local weddings don’t.
Cons:
· Destination Weddings bring a lot of legal complications. Different countries have different laws when it comes to marriage and legal ceremonies.
· It is imperative to have your passport and/or visa.
· More than likely, your blood will be tested for STD’s, HIV, and/or other sicknesses and diseases. You will be denied entry into the country if you test positive. Certain vaccinations will be required for entry as well.
· They place a burden financially on the guests.
· They’ll have to pay for the flights, travel accommodations, and a wedding gift.
· They can also complicate the honeymoon. Having the honeymoon in the same location as the wedding, you can run the risk of involving your family and close friends in your romantic festivities. And if the couple decides to travel again, they'll face extra costs for travel accommodations.
· They also offer a limited quantity of options for the décor and vendors. If you’re looking to have wedding that’s more customized, be prepared to pay for outside vendors. It can get very expensive, very quickly. Especially if you’re looking to get married at an all-inclusive resort.
In conclusion, destination weddings can be very tedious. However, there are some ways that can make the destination wedding planning seamless. First, get legally married in the US, and have a symbolic ceremony overseas (all-inclusive resorts have wedding packages based around symbolic ceremonies). Second, make sure you have all of the proper documentation(passports, marriage certificate, etc.) ready before you land in your destination. Third, be prepared for the blood tests. Finally, be prepared for your guest list to reduce by at least 50% when you announce you’re having a destination wedding. Remember, the people that are supposed to be there will be there.