3 Reasons a Destination Wedding Might be Right for You

Deciding whether or not to have a destination wedding can be tough for couples. It’s hard to envision exactly what your planning will look like and you’re well aware that it will require a bit more care in planning. If it’s high on your list of considerations, chances are you’ve already been given the blessing of your most important family and friends. You can feel the ocean calling, but you’re just not quite 100% ready to say, “let’s do it.”

Well, my friends, I’m here to give you a push. There are many reasons to say yes to a destination wedding, and I happen to think that these three, in particular, will make the decision easy for you.

1. You have a whole weekend to celebrate.

So often, when you hear couples talk about their wedding, they say, “It was wonderful, but it just went so fast! We didn’t even get to talk to everyone that was there!” During weddings close to home, couples have to fit all their mingling and thank-yous in among the actual activities of the wedding day. From the time they walk down the aisle until the last song plays at the reception, the day moves through a quick checklist of to-dos and hellos and photographs and traditions. And somewhere in there, couples have to try to enjoy the day and relish in the fact that they’re getting married.

When you plan a destination wedding, you are given an automatically extended celebration. And it’s not just great for you – your guests will be part of the longer-than-normal festivities, giving everyone plenty of time to create memories and enjoy each other’s company.

For most destination weddings, guests arrive a few days prior to the big event and attend a casual welcome reception where they get to meet and mingle with the rest of your loved ones. As they enjoy the days leading up to the wedding, they are able to spend their time together, at the beach, on excursions away from the resort, and at social and rehearsal events hosted by the couple. By the time the wedding day rolls around, your loved ones have had plenty of time to bond and everyone feels like one big family. The group is relaxed and ready to really let their hair down, celebrating you and your love with all the new friends they have made.

Dana and Michael decided to extend their wedding festivities with a Mexican-themed welcome party the night before the wedding which included mezcal tasting, piñatas, mariachis, and a taco bar. On the day after the wedding, they took their 100 guests to Tulum where they enjoyed the ruins, the beach, a swim in Gran Cenote and a fabulous dinner at Gitano, their favourite Tulum hang-out.

Photography: Sweet Caribbean Photography

This unique opportunity is hard to duplicate for local weddings. Rarely in your life would this same group of people – the ones most important to you – all be in the same place. By choosing to celebrate your wedding destination-style, you’re creating a unique experience for both you and your friends and family, and you’re extending the celebration of the most important event in your life-to-date.

2. Your guest list is streamlined.

When you’re asking your family and friends to travel a great distance to celebrate with you, it naturally causes you to take a step back and evaluate your guest list. Considering who is willing and able to make the trip is one step, but being able to decide who you actually want to participate in your wedding is a second benefit. Friends of your parents, coworkers, rarely-seen family, and others you may otherwise feel obligated to include can be omitted from your invite list, and you can focus on inviting only the people who you can’t imagine not being at your wedding.

Write down who must be in attendance at your wedding. Most couples find that their list is much shorter than they thought it would be, and it helps them feel more comfortable to take the destination plunge.

3. Umm – you’re getting married in Mexico!

It’s pretty hard to beat the atmosphere of a destination wedding. While you can’t ever guarantee perfect weather, the Caribbean tends to knock it out of the park when it comes to beautiful days. You can enjoy the sunshine and tropical breezes, and, depending on the date you book, you and your guests may be thankful for the respite from unfavorable weather back home.

Photography: Sweet Caribbean Photography

And it’s not just the weather that Mexico has to offer. You and your guests will also have the opportunity to dine on authentic and inspired Mexican cuisine, visit local attractions, and will get to experience a rich culture that is rooted in celebration and tradition (and tequila!).

When all of this adds up, you’re looking at the potential for a truly unforgettable vacation experience for everyone in attendance.

The choice to plan a destination wedding isn’t a decision that should be taken lightly. You have to evaluate all the angles and pros and cons specific to your goals for your day. If you allow yourself to take the leap, your wedding can be an unforgettable experience you have always dreamed about.

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