The Best Parts Of Having a Destination Wedding

For anyone who is an avid traveler, the idea of exchanging nuptials in a far-flung corner of the earth is most desirable. After looking at the hefty price tags attached to the venues in places like New York – the option of a destination wedding can seem all the more appealing. 

As soon as my husband, Arthur and I began planning our wedding, it made sense to us (albeit not always to others) to have a destination wedding. After looking at heaps of potential countries and possible locations, we settled on an all-inclusive resort in Mexico. As a result, I really think Mexico is the best in the business when it comes to all-inclusive packages. 

Cost-Effective

We received a lot of pressure, mostly from my family to have a “normal wedding.” There were a lot of people who could not travel to Mexico, and I was told over and over to consider them. I tried, but at the end of the day, I could not have the lavish New York wedding of others’ dreams. For reference, weddings in New York cost upwards of $25,000. Shocked? I’m serious! It is not at all unusual for couples in New York to go into debt in order to pay 45-100 thousand dollars for their big day. Personally, I do not know a single friend who paid anything less than $30,000 for their special day. 

Choosing What We Want

I could not see myself spending that much money on a wedding that we did not want. A destination wedding even with airfare and hotel wound up costing a fraction of that price. Not to mention, we received so much for what we spent. For starters, a week-long vacation to Mexico! If you’re concerned about cost I highly recommend visiting with a travel agent who specializes in destination weddings. Often, they can find great deals. These deals almost always include your room free and upgraded. In addition, many resorts will throw in a favorable stipulation such as every fifth room booked is free. 

A friend of mine chose to have her wedding in St. Lucia. Every detail from her rehearsal dinner (which took place on a catamaran during sunset) to a steel drum band to DJ and all of the other components necessary for an unforgettable night cost approximately $12,000 for 45 people. 

Destination Wedding Travel

Remember – destination weddings tend to be small because there will be many people who cannot travel in general, or cannot travel on the dates of your big bash. Zika Virus was a concern for many of the young friends we invited. Naturally, you will wind up paying much less than a typical wedding at home with 150 people or more.

I was OK with a smaller gathering. Originally, I wanted to elope in Vegas and not even have a wedding. I despise how “goo-goo” women go over their big day. However, 60 people (our total number) is actually a HUGE turn out for a destination wedding! We were so very honored to have all of those people attend. 

Making Friends Before the Big Day

By the time our actual wedding reception rolled around, our guests already knew each other. Seriously! All of the guests who were strangers at the beginning of the week as though they had been friends or family forever when our wedding day arrived. I’ve always loved bringing people together. Few things make me as content as being with a big group of my loved ones, especially when they get together is seamless and organic.

Being surrounded by the love of one’s family and friends is so joyous. To have all of those people get along and act so warm and loving toward each other is the ultimate wedding gift. How many opportunities in life will you have to spend a week with so many of the people you know and love? This is hands down one of the best parts of having a destination wedding.

Tip: The night before the wedding I made my guests play “Getting to Know You Bingo” in the hotel lobby. Guests had to find a new person to initial each box that corresponded to their new friend. An example would be, “find someone who has never been to Mexico before” or “find someone who would love to have a tequila shot with you” and “find someone who met the groom in college.” It was way more successful than I ever expected. Each Bingo box gave the guests a way to start a conversation with someone new. I can thank my teaching career for this hit!

Young, old, it didn’t matter. Everyone got along remarkably. The game was an extraordinary way for every guest to get to the know the other people who were important to us as well!

Week-Long Party

At the end of our wedding, I gave a speech to our guests. As I looked around at the dozens of people who were in attendance, I began to cry. I knew in that moment that there would be few moments in my life going forward that would ever compare to the joy and honor that I felt during that entire week in Mexico. 

So much planning goes into a wedding – nearly a year or two full of effort. I couldn’t stomach the idea of all of that zipping by in a matter of four hours. Instead, we were able to enjoy the company of those we loved most for an entire week. What made it so special is that everyone was so relaxed. 

Time Together

In a typical wedding, one barely gets to spend time with their guests depending on the number of those in attendance. People travel far and wide, and drop serious money to be acknowledged for maybe a total of ten minutes if they are lucky. Having a week with my guests meant I was able to enjoy quality time with each of them in a way that was not rushed.

We enjoyed meals together, pool time, and WAY too many evenings shutting down the nightclub. I was out until at least 1:30 in the morning the night before our wedding!

You’re only young once. Few people have the foresight to know that life will change in the near future. I’m glad that in this respect – I am cognizant of that knowledge. Growing up changes things. I knew after my wedding that everyone would continue on with their busy paths in life, and seeing friends would be a special and sporadic occurrence. I made sure to spend every moment of that week to live joyfully in each moment. First thing in the morning each day there would be a mimosa in my hand and a smile on my face! 

Interested in learning about one of the best places to party? Click here. 

Vacation for All

People were not only coming to Mexico for our wedding day, it was a vacation for them as well. Our guests spent anywhere from a long weekend to two weeks at the resort. Everyone was able to enjoy all of the activities that the resort had to offer. Some even took day trips and excursions, and that way we’re able to see more of the country. To see the tension melt from the shoulders of my guests who work so hard in their day to day 9-5 jobs was a treat in and of itself.

Double the Honeymoon

Being in Mexico allowed us to feel like we were on a honeymoon for the entire week. Our resort really treated us so special. They gifted us a private romantic dinner right on the beach complete with bottles of wine and an exclusive menu the day after our wedding. We also received a couples massage the following morning! The chance to relax on the beach and let loose in the sun as we celebrated our love was a great way to start a marriage together immediately following our wedding!

The best part? We had a real honeymoon to look forward to a few months later!

It Was Just So “Us”

When I look back on our pictures, we couldn’t have done our wedding any other way. Those gargantuan, expensive, flashy weddings were never meant for us. The photos of us in the lush Mexican nature surrounded by bright warm colors just capture who we are as people. The joy in these photos and the joy I have looking back on them makes me feel like I made the right choice. We eat, breathe, and dream about travel constantly.  

 

Unique Opportunities

I’ve always been an odd duck. I don’t like to do what everyone else does. By having a destination wedding we had some unique opportunities during the party..like jumping in the pool in our outfits!

Are you considering a destination wedding? Reach out to me if you have questions or need advice! Leave a comment below!

Planning a classic honeymoon to Santorini after your wedding? Check this out.