How to Pick the Best Destination Wedding Packages and Plan Your Dream Event
Over the last decade, destination weddings have seen a huge spike in popularity, where elaborate events are held in picturesque locations around the world. Bring together your closest friends and family, a magnificent setting, and the most important day of your life, and it’s no wonder destination weddings have become so popular! Tropical spots like Mexico, the Caribbean and Hawaii continue to be top choices, while destination weddings in Europe are increasing.
Top Destination Wedding Locations
Here are a few locations that cater to those desiring to hold a destination wedding of their dreams:
- Aruba - Boasting stunning natural scenery and a year-round warm climate, this small Dutch Caribbean island is home to sloping divi-divi trees and stretches of powder-white sand beaches that are quite picturesque!
- Oahu, Hawaii - Plenty of destination wedding packages can be found on this Hawaiian island, which is saturated in natural beauty and gives you that faraway feel but with a welcoming vibe.
- Fort Lauderdale, Florida - Anyone who likes sunshine coupled with an urban vibe will be drawn to this southeastern Florida coastal city, which features many first-class resorts along the pristine coastline.
- Napa, California – How about a wine-themed destination wedding in the Napa Valley, home to some of California’s best vineyards, restaurants and shopping?
- Turks and Caicos - Luxurious wedding venues at posh resorts are ready to host your exclusive destination wedding on this idyllic Atlantic Ocean archipelago.
- Puerto Rico – For those who don’t want to venture too far from the American mainland, Puerto Rico offers breathtaking waterfalls, spectacular rainforests and picturesque mountain backdrops.
To help you compare these locations, here is a summary based on the provided material:
| Destination | Primary Feature | Vibe |
|---|---|---|
| Aruba | White sand beaches and waterfalls | Tropical / Dutch Caribbean |
| Oahu | Natural beauty | Faraway / Welcoming |
| Napa | Vineyards and riverfront | Wine-themed / Creative |
| Puerto Rico | Rainforests and colonial buildings | Scenic / Historic |
How to Plan a Destination Wedding: Essential Tips
When it comes to planning a destination wedding, figuring out all the logistics from thousands of miles away can be just a tad more challenging than planning a local wedding. Here are the top tips for how to plan a perfect destination wedding and ensure you and your guests have a stress-free celebration and memorable getaway:
- Know Where You’re Headed. Choose a location that is meaningful for the two of you and research the facts about where you’re headed before you book.
- Consider Your Guest List. Guest lists under 50ish people are best because the larger the guest list, the more involved details like travel and accommodations become.
- Visit In Advance. Take a few days to a week and visit your destination location; ideally, you’ll want to visit before booking any vendors.
- Hire A Planner. Prioritize hiring a planner as the first thing you do when considering a destination wedding to pull from their knowledge, experience, and referrals.
- Start Early. As destination weddings require more lead time than traditional weddings, it’s recommended to begin planning at least a year in advance.
- Be Flexible. The name of the game for destination weddings is flexibility; don’t get so attached to the details of your day that you don’t allow room for spontaneous activities.
- Evaluate All-Inclusive Options. All-inclusive resorts are very popular because they make things easier for guests, but make sure their style and flow match with what you want for your day.
- Research Permits. Many public spaces – beaches, mountains, parks – come with a permit and licensing fees.
- Protect The Dress. Carry your wedding gown on the plane with you; don’t check it!
- Take Your Time. Plan at least a day or two between traveling and the actual day of your event so you don't try and cram everything into a few short days.
Logistics and Practical Considerations
Determine the maximum amount of time you want your guests to have to travel, and look at destinations that have flights within that designated amount of time. Consider the season you prefer and what the weather will be like, keeping in mind that although pricing for hurricane season can be a bargain, you’re also taking a huge risk. Do not wait to find out what travel documents you will need to enter your destination country and read up on the legal requirements of marriage before you head out.
Protecting Your Investment with Wedding Insurance
With a destination wedding, and all it entails, you’ll want to protect yourself and your many investments with affordable wedding insurance, such as WedSafe. Whatever destination you choose, you’ll want to factor in additional money in your budget to cover unforeseen expenses. Coverage helps protect you against loss, damages, theft, unforeseen illness, and even severe weather, which is an important consideration. Plan your wedding with greater confidence when you have WedSafe on your side to protect your investment.