What is a destination wedding?

I don't know. I always thought a destination wedding was a wedding that took place out of the state you live ib. Like if you live in NY and the wedding was in FL or Jamaica, then it was a destination wedding.

If the majority of your guests are coming from out of state or a few hours away, that counts as a DW. One thing you could try to do if you haven't done it is book a block of rooms at a nearby hotel.

If you live in Maine I wouldn't necessarily call it a destination wedding. However it would be nice of you to lock in a room block at a hotel in the area of the wedding for your out of town guests.

If I was traveling an hour and half to a wedding I would just drive home afterwards before I stayed somewhere. (unless I was tipsy lol)

I already have a room block and transportation set up for all guests who decide to stay at the resort.

I think you're good then.

A destination wedding isn't just an island location, it can be anywhere that's in a different state from you or somewhere that's just a few hours away in my opinion. My wedding is in Saint Louis and I live in Chicago.

Anyone traveling from out of state, make sure to have hotel welcome bags for them wherever you are blocking rooms at.

In my mind, when someone says they're having a DW, it means that everyone -- beginning with the bride and groom -- will be flying to an exotic location for an all-inclusive wedding and reception. A DW also means everyone is staying for a few days.

My cousin was married in California. I flew almost 4000 miles to be there. It wasn't a DW, in my book (and it certainly wasn't in her book). My late FIL was married in New Hampshire. We drove five and a half hours to get there; still, it wasn't a DW. Sometimes people travel from state to state to attend a wedding. Other guests don't have to drive that far. A true DW, in my opinion, is quite different than a long distance wedding.

1.5 hours is a long trip for a lot of people. Especially if they're going to be drinking. If most of your guests will need accommodations after the wedding then I would consider that a DW.

Everything @Centerpiece said.

To me, driving 1.5 hours is not a DW.

Well put Centerpiece

What Centerpiece said!

And no, welcome bags are not necessary.

To me, a destination wedding means outside of the country the bride and groom live in, where guests stay for a few days for multiple days of planned wedding events.

I don't really count another state as a destination wedding.

I really appreciate everyone's advice it is very helpful! So glad I joined the community!!

I've always thought of a DW as the bride and groom traveling...I am getting married where I live in VA but both of our families live in MA and I quickly learned they consider it a DW so I am treating it as such (sent STDs, planning pre and post wedding events, large hotel block, etc)

We are getting married about 3 hours away for most people and I am considering it destination in a way. Getting save the dates out extra early because most hotels in the area are 2 night minimum. Blocking rooms at a few different hotels and giving out gift bags.

I consider it to be a DW if the bride and groom and their parents do not live near where the wedding is taking place... ie not in a hometown

I am considering our wedding a DW just because we have a lodge in the mountains for 3 days where we and our guests will be staying. Everyone, including FH and I, will have to drive at least 1.5 hours there.

It's definitely a term that is open to interpretation! Like @Centerpiece, when I hear 'destination wedding' I think literally everyone travelling to another country for a few days. But - my mom keeps referring to my wedding as a destination wedding because all of our family and her family friends will have to fly to it, but no matter where I picked they'd all have to fly because they're spread out everywhere!

I don't know if I would call 1.5 hours away destination bc someone could drive home. I think of DW as so far away you need to take time off/get a hotel but others might say if you have to get a hotel it's a DW