Deciding if a Destination Wedding Is Right for You

Weigh the pros and cons for you and your guests

By Steve Smith

Photo by iStockphoto.com

Usually, the idea of a destination wedding is to combine the marriage ceremony and the honeymoon into one extended vacation. The pros are many, but there are several cons to consider.On the upside, it is a way to possibly save some money and add spice and adventure to your wedding. However, you also have to look at how many of the people you truly want to be there can make the trip.

• What You Need to Know
• Planning a destination wedding is a lot like planning a local wedding -- except you won't live close enough to be a hand's-on bride and your guests will have more complex travel plans.
• Weigh the pros of your ideal destination against the cons of traveling far and planning at a distance.
• Keep a list of all hotels, airports and vendors who can aid you in a particular destination.
• The date of your wedding will likely impact the cost of a destination wedding, depending on if it's a busy season.

Step 1:

Consider the logistics. A destination wedding means you're bringing your ceremony on the road. You will have to find a venue in a vacation area you may not be familiar with, and arrange catering, music and decorations from a distance. This can add to the amount of time it takes to plan your wedding, so if you are pressed for time, choosing a destination wedding may not help your stress levels, unless you find a resort that hosts weddings and can offer catering, a band, and decorating services.

Step 2:

Consider your own financial situation and wedding budget. There is no shame anymore in trying to save money on your wedding. When you are married in a vacation location, some services may cost more or less than they would at home. Compare the price of all-inclusive resort weddings to the combined costs of catering, venue rentals, decorations and other charges for a wedding at home. Remember that while everyone will want to attend a hometown wedding, if you hold your wedding in a faraway destination, fewer people will be able to attend. That means you can downsize the reception considerably, and a smaller ceremony and reception venue will mean that catering, venue rentals and decorating cost less.

Step 3:

Consider your time constraints. A destination wedding allows you to go directly from the wedding ceremony to a honeymoon, saving a day or two in travel time. Since some resorts offer all-inclusive wedding planning packages and planning assistance, a destination wedding could cut down on the time you spend planning the wedding, as well.

Step 4:

Consider your family situation. Which members of your family and closest friends will be able to accompany you to this destination wedding? If several of your closest family members are unable to go, that could be a big reason to stay home. On the other hand, you only get married once, and many family members will understand if you decide to do it in a vacation location.

Step 5:

Think about your own needs. What is more important to you and why? Would you rather have all your family at your ceremony, of are you happy with just a select group of family and friends? If it is more important to have everyone there, then a destination wedding is not a good choice. If adventure, romance and intimacy are more important to you, consider a destination wedding.

• Tips & Warnings
• Be sure to thoroughly investigate the weather of your destination before making a decision. Many hurricane seasons occur from June to November.
• Remember to also consider peak seasons, many of which occur from January to May -- a time that is typically quiet for stateside weddings.
• If you do decide on a destination wedding, compare prices among hotels and airlines, which should offer discounts for group bookings.