Destination Weddings- What are your thoughts, Are they easier?

We considered eloping or having a small destination wedding. What swayed the scales the other way was defining what was important about hosting a wedding to us. For me the most important thing was celebrating with my family, and I know it would have been a hardship for many of them to attend.

Oh - I want to comment on what NowASeptMrs said. Some resorts function that way, but not all of them. I got married at an Iberostar. They have a rule that they only do one wedding per day at each of their resorts. They also let you choose if you want to have your dinner in the regular restaurants or if you want to have a private reception. We chose a private reception, and it was lovely.

@Sarah, @mcd2017 -- They had 3 different beach sites they could do weddings at so it was about 3-4 per site per day. In the states it's less typical to do a morning/lunch wedding but down there many people did it since guests aren't leaving right away, so I think some places tend to do ceremonies all day. Some were just ceremonies, some had receptions elsewhere in the resort afterwards.

Oh @ purple kitten. Did you have a lot of guests? Also why did you choose Mexico? Just curious. Thanks

I just had a destination wedding and posted my BAM yesterday. It wasnt international, it was in Vegas. I continually said how much better that decision was. We spent more time with ALL of our guests than we would of if we got married in NC. Normally, people come to a wedding eat, drink and leave. We started with a meet and greet(paid for by us) on Friday so all the guests could get to know each other. Then later that night, those that wanted to party came with us and we seperated into the bachelor and bachelorette parties.

We had our wedding Sat at 2pm and reception at 430. Our guests almost all made new friends(they exchanged #s) and now people are wanting to take trips together in the future. Everyone had a ball. We also had the ceremony put online so those not there could watch. We had 38 guests and it was an honor that so many wanted to come.

If you want to do, you can. Talk to your VIPS 1st, make sure they are ok with it...if so...go for it.

@Angela I'm actually waiting for the same thing. I really want one of my friends to have DW to attend. They're so much fun and it's a built in vacation as well!

That sounds lovely @Bossladybride0316 I am glad It all worked out. @ Angela and Stephanie, lol you guys are a mess. But I had my moh tell me the same thing, that she was happy I was considering destination. I plan on giving guest a heads up by the beginning of next year so they will have more than enough time to decide and plan, if they decide to come. Thanks again ladies

The resort we picked for our wedding only does one wedding a day - which is why we picked it. Albeit the resort is smaller than some, it still boasts plenty of restaurants and entertainment. It's perfect for us and the 16 other people joining us, makes for a more intimate feel.

I went to one of my best friends weddings in Punta Cana, DR last summer. It was beautiful, a ton of fun, and awesome to have a trip with all of my friends. But in all I probably spent over $2,000 for her wedding. If it wasn't a best friend or super close relative I wouldn't go on a DW. I am also one of those people who have trouble asking (in a way) people to spend so much money on an event for me. There are many pros and cons for guests and hosts for a DW wedding. Oh, and she had about 90 people come to her wedding. So you never know with a DW, and I don't know if it was much cheaper for her.

Wow 90 people on a destination wedding is amazing. You spent over $2000? That's a little steep for each guest. I wouldn't want it to be that costly which is why I am looking for all inclusive. But since she is a dear friend I'm sure it was worth it, and you had a great time! Good stuff @alietta g.

Hey Chrissy. I chose a destination wedding because I thought it'd be simpler to plan and more low key. I really don't think it's been easier. Some aspects are harder. The biggest challenge I've faced with it is people either complaining about the expense, date or getting time off work. Or, you'll have a ton of people get really excited and say they want to go(they're in the moment) and then a few months later many will back out. So it's just really hard to plan when you don't have a decent head count to work with. I chose southwest FL. This way people don't need passports and prices wont be extreme. I think resorts seem really fun but also very expensive and many require a specific amount of guests to stay at their resort. I went a different route and am just letting people stay where they want to stay down there so they can go off and do whatever they want. Regardless what you choose, planning will be intense but I'm sure worth it! Best of luck!

Most of my destination weddings are 20-30 guests, although this year I had two with 50 guests.

Almost every wedding is a destination wedding for some guests, and the costs can prohibit guests even traveling in the states. It might be more cost effective for you, but probably not for the guests. It would be a rare wedding invite I'd accept when I added up all the money, time (and for us, lost wedding ceremonies).

We do a lot of Central Park weddings for couples from the UK and Australia. Most of them are very, very small; the biggest I remember was 12 guests. But it's definitely not cheap, or easy to plan.

I was a BM at a destination wedding. I spent about $1500 on air and hotel to Palace Resorts in Cancun. It was not a destination I wanted to go to, and it was not the amount of money I wanted to spend. I only did it because she was my best friend. Please keep in mind that all inclusive means food and liquor. Guests will also have to pay for transportation to/from airport and activities. Yes, the hotel had activities - yoga/pilates, dancing, etc. Horseback riding, ATV, myan tours: NOT included. Not everyone will want to just lay at the beach.

I would not do a destination wedding, even if it is easier for me. The cost passed on to the guests is not worth the expense.

My friend got married at an all inclusive resort in Curaçao during Summer 2014 and it was really beautiful. I was still in grad school, so I didn't think I would be able to attend because I was broke. We lucked up and were able to rent an apartment (via an airbnb type website) that was less than a 10 minute walk from the resort for a fraction of the price. All of her family and some of her friends stayed at the resort, so we were able to use their all inclusive perks and basically are and drank for free the entire time lol (they just asked for your room number). We ended up just spending money on excursions once we got there. She had about 35 guests attend.

My MOH is getting married in Jamaica in April. This time we're staying at the resort so i will end up paying about $1100 for an all inclusive resort and flight. Not that bad to me considering I won't have to pay for food or drinks once we get there. The last time I checked they had 70 rooms booked w/deposits paid (that's 140 guests)!

We were considering doing an international DW, but we realized that it would cost our guests over $1000 per person even though it would save us tons of money. We decided it wasn't fair to put that burden on our guest. We decided to go with NJ instead of NYC to cut costs down a bit instead. Most of my family still has to travel to our wedding, but for most it's under a 5 hour drive. Just make sure that your immediate family and anyone else that you can't imagine your day without can afford the trip.

I don't know about easier, but they are more expensive for guests. I have been in and to several destination weddings. Each one cost me at least (not including gift) $3,000 and several vacation days to attend.

@Chrissy4985 I'm also in NY and yes it is pricey. We are currently weighing both options. If we decide on destination, we would like to give everyone at least a year notice so between now & May a decision will be made. One thing I was looking at though is the requirements for marriage differ from country to country. In Mexico you have to have your birth certificate translated to Spanish & you need a blood test. Another country u have to apply 8 days before the ceremony. So things like that may stray you from on island or the next.

I did stay at an all inclusive. Resort and airfare were about $1500 for my fiance and I. Then plus, excursions, our outfits, getting to and from the airport and I also included her bridal showers gift, engagement parties gifts and bachelorette to Boston for the weekend in that figure. Maybe totaling over $2100.

Edit: Although all those things aren't all for the actual wedding, I feel like its included because its all related to the wedding.

Gotcha @alietta g. @T Marie, I was looking at those things too lol. @MrsC_to_be I think that's awesome.