Destination Weddings: An Overview

What is a destination wedding? We hear about them all the time. Turn on the news and this year's hottest celebrities are tying the knot in lavish locations. Pick up a bridal magazine and you'll see some of the hottest hotspots for destination 'I Do's. More or less, a destination wedding is merely a wedding that takes place in any location away from the bride and groom's current home. Everything from ceremony to reception is held in this location and all of the guests are required to travel in order to attend.

Destination weddings can be costly, and every decision you make when planning your destination wedding factors into the way your wedding will go. Choosing the destination is crucial as costs can vary by locale. Currently, the hot trend is tropical locations and if you have to travel to the opposite end of the globe to get there, your bank account can take a pretty heavy hit.

There are several things you need to consider when planning a destination wedding. First of all, how much can you spend on travel expenses? If you cannot afford to have everyone on your ideal guest list travel with you, you may consider asking if your friends and family can afford the travel expenses on their own. You can also call around and see if you can find group rates that fit in with your budget and the number of people you want to attend. If you can't manage these, you might consider selecting a smaller number of wedding party members, such as only close family members and friends.

Also to consider is your wedding reception. It is a given that you'll want to have a reception at your tropical destination, but what about for those individuals who couldn't attend your wedding? Can you afford to have a second reception so that they can celebrate your union?

In destination weddings, the guests you invite will be traveling with you. They are planning their entire vacation around your wedding. How important is privacy to you and your significant other? You need to consider these things, and give thought to what you and your guests will want to do before and after the wedding. Naturally, your guests will understand your want for a little alone time, but they are traveling to be with you - a little consideration goes a very long way.

Because of the increasing popularity in destination weddings, wedding consultants and travel agents are beginning to specialize in these types of events, and you're almost certain to find plenty of information through them. Your wedding should be an event - whether you choose to have a destination wedding or not - but a destination wedding is sure to make a splash, with both you and your guests!