Choosing a wedding venue is possibly the most important part of planning a wedding; aside from actually deciding to get engaged, of course. The venue you choose will dictate so much about the big day, from the date and how many people you can invite to the decor and aesthetic of the event.
Lots of people get married in a hometown, the city where they met, or somewhere centrally located, but these aren’t the only options when picking a wedding venue.
Destination weddings, where you visit an exotic location for the big day, are just as fabulous as hometown weddings and have lots of added benefits that will make your wedding unforgettable. Most commonly, couples will choose a warm or tropical destination to enjoy the beautiful weather, the fabulous views, and the vacation vibes.
So, how do you decide a destination wedding is right for you and your fiancé? Here are some of the pros and cons to help you get a clearer picture of what you want to do:
Pros: The Things You’ll Love
First, let’s focus on the pros of having a destination wedding. It’s pretty easy to imagine how much fun it would be to be married on a sandy beach in front of crystal blue waters, but what are the deeper, more lasting benefits of a destination wedding?
Vacation Vibes
Weddings can be a stressful event, and not just for the happy couple and the people helping them plan. Guests might feel a little nervous, too! Wedding goers can be anxious about not knowing many people in attendance or getting home in time for the babysitter–heck, they can even be nervous about dancing! Or they can be experiencing some other life stress that makes relaxing difficult.
Destination weddings make everyone feel like they are on vacation and create a concrete separation between everyday life and the wedding. The vibes of your wedding are guaranteed to be immaculate because everyone is in vacation mode. In other words, everyone is ready to party!
Make sure to set aside time for guests to visit a local spa, check out the area, or just lounge by the beach or pool, and don’t forget to remind everyone to bring a swimsuit!
Perfect for a Beachy Wedding Dress
If you love ethereal, flowy, and carefree beachy wedding dresses, you’ll love the fashion for destination weddings. Destination weddings give you lots of room to get playful with your wedding dress choices; just be sure you won’t mind your dress getting wrinkled in your luggage or sandy on the beach.
Since you’ll probably be walking in the sand you can forgo the high heels for something a little more comfortable like a pair of flat sandals. If your beach wedding venue has a no-glass policy and nice soft sand, you can even go barefoot as you walk down the aisle!
Incredible Memories
No matter where you have your wedding, the memories will be amazing, but you’re guaranteed to have everyone talking about your wedding for a long time if you choose a destination! Vacations and travel are inspiring and highly memorable, and the photos will be so different from anything you could achieve elsewhere.
Cons: The Things You Might Not Like
Even though destination weddings are always a hit, they might not be the exact right choice for you. There are a few drawbacks, or compromises you’ll need to make if you choose a destination wedding, so make sure you feel comfortable with these factors before you book the tickets, the venue, and more.
Less Gown-Friendly
If a simple, beachy wedding dress isn’t your dream wedding dress, and you want to wear something more extravagant like a ballgown, a destination wedding might not be the right choice. Unless you’re willing to have your dress shipped to the destination, or you’re buying it at the destination, traveling with a gown is quite a hassle.
What’s more, wearing a multi-layered gown isn’t going to be super comfortable in warm weather or in the sand, though you might be able to get away with it if it’s a lighter fabric like tulle.
Smaller Guest Lists
If you’re planning a big wedding, a destination wedding isn’t necessarily the way to go. Not only will you have a harder time getting a large venue abroad, but you’ll also likely end up with a lot of regretful ‘nos’ from people who won’t be able to make the trip. Destination weddings are ideal for weddings with 50 or fewer guests.
Day-Of Surprises
If you want to have every detail of your wedding day planned out and are nervous about anything deviating from your plan, definitely be wary of choosing a destination wedding. You’ll have less time to consult with the venue, and won’t be able to see decor in person until a few days before, once it is too late to make significant changes. If you don’t mind a few little surprises on the big day, then it will be smooth sailing.
Are you planning a destination wedding? Show us your bridal style on Instagram @lulus using #lovelulus–and shop everything from engagement outfits to wedding dresses to honeymoon looks in our Weddings Shop!
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