From the Caribbean islands to the Great Smoky Mountains, from Western deserts to the Pacific Northwest, there is no shortage of scenic destinations for small weddings and elopements.
We’ve put together some of the top benefits of a destination wedding below to see if it’s the right path for you. Whatever you decide, your wedding day should be all about authenticity and excitement in a place you’ll never forget!
More Quality Time with Your Guests
When you plan a destination wedding, you’ll get to spend more one-on-one time with your guests than you would at a local wedding. Since most (or all) of your guests guests typically arrive at the destination at least a day or two before the ceremony and have no responsibilities to get back to, you can have more time to spend with each of them.
A traditional wedding day can often feel rushed, especially if you have more than 50 guests. We’ve even heard plenty of couples say that they didn’t get a chance to say hello to several of their friends or family members at all! A destination wedding is a great way to spend more relaxing time with each person who means the most to you.
Higher Spirits, More Fun
Having a destination wedding is not just a vacation for you two, but is a getaway for all your guests, too! Spirits tend to be higher and guests will be more willing to let loose and have fun. Everyone is happy when they are on vacation!
Less Stress
Most would think that being far away from your wedding destination would cause the planning and spending to be more stressful, but actually, it doesn’t always happen that way.
Since destination wedding venues often know that their location is a popular one for couples from out of state, most of them include pre-made wedding packages that include other vendors like wedding planners, catering, rentals, and more — all for one inclusive fee.
Simplicity
If the venue or location you choose is already scenic, there’s less to plan or spend money on because you can keep the decor simple! Let the elements of the destination come through without having to make your wedding day more complicated than it needs to be.
Intimacy
Destination weddings typically require guests to pay the expenses of their own travels and accommodations. This often leads to some guests backing out of attending the wedding.
Although it’s unfortunate that not all invited guests will be able to attend, the ones who really care about you both will most likely make the ends meet no matter what. Having only the ones who matter the most to you at your wedding will result in a more intimate experience, not to mention it could cut costs on guest count!
Memorable
A destination wedding is not just a wedding, it’s also a vacation. For couples who like to travel, it’s an excellent opportunity for you to build on that connection while experiencing a new place together and creating long-lasting memories with family and friends.
Culture
Some couples may even choose a destination where their families are from. Experiencing each other’s heritage or local culture together has special meaning and some may even choose to incorporate that culture into their ceremony.
One-Stop Shop
Why not get married where you want to honeymoon? A beautiful location, less planning, and less time spent traveling — and you get to start your honeymoon that much sooner. It’s a win-win!
Contact a Destination Wedding Photography + Videography Team
Skyewater Photo + Film is an adventure elopement and destination wedding photo and video team based in Washington. We help couples plan elopements all over the US, and offer insight for more than just photography: from planning assistance, finding and booking locations, vendor references and more! Reach out to our wedding photography and videography team today to get more info!
