Pros and Cons for a Destination Wedding

IS A DESTINATION WEDDING RIGHT FOR YOU?

What goes into planning for one and how do I find a photographer that is willing to shoot a destination wedding?

There are plenty of reasons why a couple may decide to do a destination wedding. The first reason is usually to dwindle down the guest list a little. Anyone who has planned a wedding knows that narrowing down the guest list is HARD. You can’t invite one person without inviting another and so on and then before you know it the list is out of control.

Another reason for a destination wedding may be because that place has a special meaning for you. Perhaps that is where your ancestors were from or where you grew up.

Or maybe it is just a beautiful location that is made for weddings! And you’ve been wanting to go there for a long time.

Whatever the reason, here are some pros and cons for a destination wedding!

PRO: You could really invite just the people you want to and most extended family & guests would understand. A local wedding could offend people if they aren’t invited to your wedding but most people are much more relaxed about not being invited to a destination wedding since they know it would involve traveling.

PRO: Your wedding would be in a stunning location (hello Italian Rivera! or New Zealand mountaintops! or Greece coastline...you get the idea). You would get one of kind wedding photos other than your friends who are doing similar venues back home.

Mexican Destination Wedding Venue: Encuentro Guadalupe

PRO: Many venues offer an all inclusive wedding package that includes room, catering, event decorations, and planning. Finding a right venue coordinator that can accommodate all of the above will make planning much easier.

PRO: Since there are less guests, it provides for a more intimate setting where you can really enjoy the company and spend more time with them. Wedding days go by so fast and the bigger the guest list the less likely you’ll spend quality time with everyone. A destination wedding is like a vacation with your favorite people all together!

PRO: You could start your honeymoon early! A couple I had photographed had their wedding in Italy and spent their honeymoon trekking all across the country right after their wedding.

Here is one that is both a pro and a con: Expenses. You may think that there would be more expenses for a destination wedding, but it really just depends on the location you choose. Some couples have found that since other countries’ cost of living is lower than in the States that they actually save money going overseas and were able to help pay for their guests’ stay instead. Also since the guest list is smaller all of the food costs and photography packages could be smaller as well. However, the further distance you go the costs can add up, mostly being the flight cost. If it is too remote the venue price could go up. Researching will be the key!

A major CON will be legal ramifications. If you get married in a foreign country you will have to look into their legal documentation. It may be a lengthy process which may involve a lot of back and forth communication, notarizing every piece of paper, and paying extra for having the documents translated so that your marriage can be legal when you get back home. A way to go around this is to sign the papers at your local city hall before your trip and have the wedding be ceremonial and a symbolic union.

CON: The guest list will be smaller. Even though that is on the PRO list, you may really want certain guests to still come but they cannot afford to attend. My suggestion is to maybe help those people out to come to your wedding if you were able to save money in other areas. Don’t let your other guests know unless you’re able to contribute to their travel costs as well.

I hope you found this pros and cons list helpful for those of you deciding on a destination wedding! Theres many benefits and some disadvantages for a wedding abroad. With plenty of research and planning it can really work out for the best!

Glory Daze Photography offers special wedding packages for your destination wedding photo needs. Another PRO for those couples who want great photography and an experienced photographer who is familiar with destination wedding photography.