Pros and Cons of Destination Weddings

When planning a wedding, choosing the right venue matters. A destination wedding is something you may consider if you’d like to tie the knot someplace memorable. Destination weddings are ceremonies that are hosted away from the couple’s hometown and usually require travel for the wedding party and guests.

According to a 2019 survey conducted by the Knot, 21{478333fef289f17d569c76970834c08f92d608302faf6c452490324ee355f13f} of couples who got married that year chose a destination wedding. When planning one, there are both advantages and disadvantages to weigh in the balance.

Destination Wedding Pros

In terms of benefits or advantages, there are several good reasons to consider a destination wedding over a traditional wedding. The biggest pros typically have to do with cost, convenience, and the overall experience that a destination wedding can provide.

Get married in a dream location

The first and most obvious pro associated with planning a destination wedding is being able to get married in a setting that’s special or memorable to you and your future spouse. For some couples that might mean exchanging vows in the Caribbean, while others might tie the knot just a stone’s throw from the Eiffel Tower. Regardless of the destination you choose, you have an opportunity to create memories—and capture some stunning wedding photos while you’re at it.

Plan a smaller guest list

Destination weddings can also offer a more intimate feel if there are fewer guests attending. It may not be feasible or realistic for 200 people to attend a wedding in Bali, for example, if most of them have jobs to report to or families to take care of. The upshot is that you can tailor your guest list to include the people who are most important to you and who you’d most like to have at the wedding.

Potentially save money on wedding costs

Getting married, even when it’s on a smaller scale, can still be expensive. The typical couple spent $19,000 on average to get married in 2020, down from $28,000 the previous year. The dip was largely chalked up to the crisis curtailing many couples’ wedding plans.

The typical destination wedding, on the other hand, costs $32,000 on average, $38,500 if you include the cost of the engagement ring. At first glance it might seem like a traditional wedding is the better way to go, but you could still spend less on a destination wedding with careful planning.

For example, it could make sense to choose an all-inclusive hotel or resort for the ceremony, reception, and honeymoon. This reduces the number of venues and vendors you need to book, as there may be partner wedding vendors on site. Planning a destination wedding in a country that has a favorable exchange rate or a lower cost of living could also help your dollars stretch further.

Destination Wedding Cons

While destination weddings have their appeal, they may not be right for every couple. If you’re thinking about planning a wedding someplace exotic, here are a few of the most important things to keep in mind.

More planning may be required

Planning a wedding in a country you’ve never been to—or may have only visited once—can add a few wrinkles. For instance, you may need to consider things such as the exchange rates for currency, potential language barriers, and marriage license requirements. You’ll also need to consider travel restrictions, specifically those related to current limitations, to determine whether you’ll even be able to visit the destination of your choice.

Guests may not attend

An unwritten rule about destination weddings is that it’s perfectly acceptable not to invite certain people if you know they won’t be able to come or would prefer not to. That doesn’t mean, however, that the people you do invite are guaranteed to show. There may be financial or logistical barriers that keep them from attending, which can make your wedding party smaller than you originally planned. That could take some of the joy out of the day if there are certain people with whom you want to share the occasion.

There are no guarantees

Planning any wedding means taking a chance on the day working out as expected. Still, a destination wedding could present some unusual risks. For instance, you might be two days into your wedding celebrations when a hurricane or an earthquake forces an evacuation. Or your newly wedded spouse might fall and get bitten by a scorpion while you’re exploring the indigenous flora and fauna.

Purchasing wedding insurance and/or travel insurance can help to protect you financially in a worst-case scenario. Depending on the coverage that’s included, you may be able to recover some of the expenses you paid when planning a destination wedding if it ends up being cut short.

The typical wedding insurance policy can cost $150 to $550. Travel insurance can cost less, averaging $95 for one week of coverage on an international trip. You may consider purchasing one of each type of policy, in addition to any travel insurance coverage you may have with your credit card.

How to Plan a Destination Wedding

If you think a destination wedding could be right for you, here are some tips to help with the planning process.

• Set your wedding budget—Having a budget is important for planning any type of wedding but especially so for destination weddings. Consider the upper limit you can afford to spend and what specific costs you’ll need to budget for.
• Plan the guest list—Choosing guests for a destination wedding is important because you need to be fairly certain of how many people will actually attend. So think about who you most want to attend and who is most likely to be able to come.
• Evaluate the destination—You may have a dream place in mind, but you should stop to consider whether it’s the right choice. For example, what will the weather be like when you plan to visit? Are there any travel restrictions to or from that destination? How easy will it be for guests to get there? If any are older or very young, can they handle the terrain? What is the exchange rate like?
• Apply travel points and miles—If you have travel points or miles you’ve accumulated from one or more rewards credit cards, consider the best way to use them to get maximum value. For example, they may be worth more when booking for airfare or hotels that if you use them for rental cars.
• Get the timing right—Traveling to a destination wedding during the off- or shoulder season could be less expensive than peak season, and you’ll also be able to avoid larger tourist crowds if you’re heading to a popular spot.
• Consider travel or wedding insurance—Buying travel and wedding insurance could give you some peace of mind if you’re worried about potentially losing money due to circumstances beyond your control.