From venue to guest list, entertainment to legalities, planning a wedding can be overwhelming and time-consuming. Many couples choose to have a destination wedding, but what does traveling away from home entail in terms of organization, cost, and attendees? iBestTravel writer Sofia Levin decided to get married in Lombok, far from her home in Melbourne. In contrast, Digital Editor Claire Naylor tied the knot close to her residence in London. We explored their choices while planning their big days.
Why I Had a Destination Wedding
Sofia Levin
The best decision I ever made was to get married overseas. If you enjoy planning trips abroad, a destination wedding is a fantastic upgrade. When I got married in 2017 in Lombok, Indonesia, everyone told us it would be the best day of our lives. What surprised us was that guests declared it was the best day of theirs, too. Here are some compelling reasons to consider a destination wedding.
1. It’s Not Just a Few Hours
I can’t imagine investing so much time and effort into one perfect day—months, if not years of planning—only to see it end just as the celebration begins. With a destination wedding, festivities last several days, allowing you to form deeper connections with everyone present. Finding the right venue also minimizes curfews, enabling you to celebrate all night.
2. Your Friends Get a Holiday Too
The atmosphere is much more relaxed when you marry abroad because everyone is on vacation mode. Be sure to provide ample notice, preferably 12-18 months, so guests can make arrangements for time off work and any additional travel they may want to undertake.
3. It Can Be More Affordable
One reason we opted for a wedding abroad was our desire to treat our loved ones to a getaway. The Australian dollar performs well against the Indonesian rupiah, and by avoiding tourist hubs like Bali, we secured a resort for four nights for our guests at a cost lower than what an average Australian couple would spend for a wedding back home. Guests managed their flight costs, especially with the extended notice we provided. However, this might change if planned further away from home.
4. It Helps Narrow Down the Guest List
Overseas weddings tend to be more intimate, making it easier to be selective with invitations. It also helps you gauge who might not be able to attend due to work obligations, children, mobility, or financial constraints, which is something to consider when planning your destination celebration.
5. All-Inclusive Wedding Packages
We specifically chose a smaller, independent resort to benefit from personalized service and expertise while ensuring a wedding-only atmosphere. In Lombok, most quotes encompassed everything, from wedding planning and decorations to food-and-drink arrangements. Having local experts is essential for a smooth experience.
6. Experience Diverse Cultures
Traveling to a foreign country immerses you in new cultures, enhancing the wedding experience. Our guests bonded so well with the resort staff that everyone shared insights into their cultures and traditions, celebrating diversity together.
7. An Unforgettable Experience
If you desire your wedding to be memorable, it’s crucial to break the usual mold. Weddings that stand out often do so by incorporating personal elements or unique settings that resonate with the couple. Opting for a destination wedding ensures your celebration is distinct. Careful planning, budgeting, and relying on trustworthy professionals can yield what may become not just the best day of your life, but also one of the best days for your guests.
Why I Decided Not to Have a Destination Wedding
Claire Naylor
Having all my loved ones at a stunning local venue, either on a clifftop or beach with likely beautiful weather, was appealing. Yet, we ultimately chose to marry about five miles from our home in London. Here’s why.
1. The Guest List
We knew exactly who we wanted to invite and managed to keep our list to a manageable 60 guests. However, a distant venue raised concerns—would elderly relatives be willing to travel? What about family without passports? Our friends, who had young children, couldn’t easily take time off. The idea of marrying abroad presented significant compromises regarding guest attendance, making it less attractive.
2. Location Dilemma
As a couple with our own travel history, many places hold special significance. We fantasized about returning there for a wedding celebration. However, considering logistics, such as getting my grandmother on an overnight coach from Bangkok to Ko Tao, was not practical. Though stunning locations like Tuscany or the Greek islands seemed ideal, our full-time jobs and a one-year-old child didn’t allow for flexibility in searching for venues.
3. Managing Administrative Work
Getting married in a neighboring London borough involved multiple visits to register offices, paperwork, and interviews, which was frustrating enough in my local area. Thus, navigating these steps in an unfamiliar location with language barriers seemed overwhelming.
4. Cost for Guests
Wedding celebrations can be pricey, and mentioning the “w” word often inflates expenses. The cost of attending destination weddings can also burden guests financially. We were determined to avoid causing financial strain through our celebration, ensuring our guests wouldn’t associate our wedding with undue costs for attending.
5. Pressure and Expectations
What if guests didn’t enjoy themselves? It’s a considerable responsibility, asking friends to save money and take time off for your wedding. This was a burden I wasn’t prepared to carry.
Destination Wedding Tips
Deciding on the location and style of your wedding is deeply personal and dependent on your unique situation. If you decide to proceed with a destination wedding, consider these tips:
– Remote locations may limit your choices for photographers and musicians, potentially necessitating bringing people in from afar.
– Confidence in your venue and its management is crucial. Conduct thorough online research, followed by site visits and meetings. Some resorts may offer complimentary stays or discounts, so don’t hesitate to inquire. If an in-person visit isn’t possible, utilize phone or video calls. If a vendor is difficult to reach, reevaluate your options—you don’t want to chase services while juggling wedding responsibilities. Always trust your instincts while reading reviews.
– Compare quotes, negotiate terms, and ask for additional perks. Venues often align with competitors’ offers.
