10 Reasons to Choose a Destination Wedding
10 Reasons to Choose a Destination Wedding
Elopements & Intimate Weddings Guide
Do you find yourself going back and forth on whether or not to plan a destination elopement or a destination intimate wedding? Between elopements, intimate weddings, and destination weddings, there are so many different ways to get married, but which way is right for you? Planning a wedding or elopement is an exciting process, but with so many options available, sometimes it can be hard to know where to start or which direction you want to go. In this blog, I am focusing on destination weddings and why planning a destination elopement allows you to have a truly unique wedding experience while keeping the focus on the things that matter most.
10 Reasons to Choose a Destination for your Elopement or Wedding
You Want to Get Married at an Amazing Location with Stunning Backdrops
Just because you might not have epic scenery in your hometown doesn’t mean you can’t experience it on your wedding day. A destination elopement allows you to choose where to say ‘I Do’ while being immersed in an amazing location with stunning backdrops.
Having a destination elopement allows you to experience the magic of a location and choose a place that represents you and your relationship. This could be a remote island off the coast of Greece or a picturesque cabin in the mountains of Switzerland. No matter which location you choose, this spot will become part of your marriage story forever, and the memories created there will be woven into every photo you take.
Wondering where you should elope? I’ve created a whole guide on how to elope with tips on choosing the perfect location, which you can check out here.
You Want to Say ‘I Do’ in an Intimate Setting Surrounded by Your Closest Loved Ones
Destination elopements are the perfect opportunity to plan a unique wedding day with the people who are closest to you. Most of the time destination weddings have a smaller guest list meaning the people you invite are the ones you truly want to celebrate with you. While I am a firm believer that, no matter the size of your wedding, you should only invite the people you want, a destination wedding can help eliminate some of the expectations of inviting everyone. By having a smaller, more intimate day, you can keep your focus on what truly matters to you and surround yourself with the people who love you most.
You Love to Travel
Incorporating something you love on your wedding day or overall wedding experience is an amazing way to make your celebration even more special and unique to you. Traveling always brings some level of excitement, but this is especially true when traveling for your wedding. There is nothing quite like the anticipation that comes with stepping on a plane, knowing that when you return, you will be married and have many incredible memories to relive.
Whether you're experiencing a location for the first time or revisiting a place that already holds some special meaning, traveling for your destination elopement is a great way to combine your love for adventure with the experience of getting married.
Selecting a place for your wedding can be a big task. If you’re unsure about where to travel for your wedding because there are SO many incredible places in the world, then I’m here to help. Feel free to reach out because I have the perfect list of places to help you with what you’re after! I’m always happy to guide couples in finding the perfect place that they connect with the most for their wedding day and adventure.
You Want Your Destination Elopement to Be Filled with Adventure and Experiences
Speaking of travel, I’ve found that there is something about being in a different location that makes you want to experience things you might not otherwise enjoy in your hometown. Traveling can get you out of your comfort zone and push you to have new experiences and what better time to try new experiences and create memories than during your wedding?
Maybe you want to take a helicopter ride to a remote location or explore a UNESCO heritage site such as Antigua or the Dolomites. Or perhaps, a picnic in the forest or a boat ride along the coast at sunset is more your vibe. Once you’ve decided on a location, take a look at some of the different activities that are available and select a few that you would like to experience together. I promise, that including activities on your destination elopement will make your day that much more memorable and will elevate your elopement experience tenfold.
You Want to Have an Elegant and Luxurious Wedding Day Experience
Destination elopements can look a lot of different ways, but one thing I’ve found is that these types of weddings are a great way to create a more elegant and luxurious wedding day experience. Not only can you bring your personal touches to your wedding day through the location and details, but in many cases, where you choose to stay can elevate the look and feel of your wedding day as well. Think of an Italian villa in Tuscany, a cave Airbnb in Santorini, or maybe a private residence on the coast of Scotland. Having a destination elopement allows you to personalize your wedding day in so many different areas, making your experience truly special.
Pro Tip: Destination elopements can actually free up so much of your wedding budget, allowing you to spend your money on experiences that are meaningful to you.
You Want a More Unique and Exclusive Wedding Day Experience
You are unique and your wedding day should be too! Rather than finding a common venue or a location that has been photographed many times, planning a destination elopement allows you to create a special and unique experience around the things that matter to you. While elopements are becoming more popular, they still aren’t nearly as common as traditional weddings, and planning a destination elopement allows you to have an even more unique wedding day experience.
Getting married somewhere meaningful and special, whether it’s just the two of you, or with some close friends and family, can create an exclusive experience filled with unforgettable memories. Additionally, if you’re thinking about your guest experience, a destination elopement will allow everyone to enjoy a vacation while celebrating you. A win/win if you ask me!
You Want to Enjoy a Romantic Getaway
Rather than plan two events (wedding and honeymoon), why not plan a romantic getaway and get married while you’re there? Doubling your wedding destination and your honeymoon location can provide a seamless transition from wedding day to a romantic getaway. Instead of waiting until after you are married to set off for your honeymoon, why not get the celebration started early? Combining the two can allow you to more fully enjoy the location of your dreams or get a head start on exploring even more wonderful locations. Plus, many destinations offer nearby options to city-hop or visit neighboring countries, so if traveling is what you want to do, this option can make the planning process even more seamless.
You Want to Create Long-Lasting Memories
This is by far one of the most important reasons why couples choose a destination elopement or intimate wedding. Wedding days are days that are talked about for years and years to come. No matter how you decide to get married, your wedding day is sure to be memorable, but combining it with an epic destination is sure to make your wedding experience even more memorable, not to mention it will give you a beautiful story to share.
You Want to Immers Yourself in the Local Culture
Traveling to a new country is a great way to immerse yourself in the local culture and experience different customs and traditions around the world. Some couples choose a location based on a culture that they love or have always wanted to visit, while others choose one because it is embedded in their family’s origin. Whichever your reasoning, there are so many ways to incorporate some traditional elements into your elopement day, from sharing in local customs to incorporating elements of the culture into your wedding vows.
You Want to Spend Quality Time with Your Partner
For many couples, a wedding day is a new experience. While there is a lot that goes into planning a wedding day, having a destination elopement can provide a much more relaxed and intentional approach to how to celebrate and enjoy your day together. Instead of sticking to a strict timeline, couples can plan a day that aligns with what they want it to look like and keep the focus on what matters most to them.
Bonus: You Want to Enjoy a Multi-Day Wedding Experience
Oftentimes, couples can feel stuck between the idea of having an elopement or an intimate wedding. They struggle with wanting to keep some moments for just themselves but also want their loved ones surrounding them and celebrating with them. With destination weddings, both are possible. You don’t need to compromise.
For example, many of my couples decide to have a multi-day wedding where they get to experience it all. Their ceremony with family is held on one day and their private destination adventure is held on a different day, which allows them to have a unique experience for themselves without the guilt of celebrating away from their family or friends.
Many couples decide on a multi-day celebration because it allows for a much more flexible timeline and a great opportunity to create core memories together. If this sounds like an experience you'd love for your wedding day, get in touch, and let's plan an unforgettable experience.
There are so many great reasons to plan a destination elopement. Whether you want to have a unique and meaningful wedding day experience, or you want to celebrate the start of your marriage with your loved ones in a beautiful location, destination elopements allow you to create a truly custom and memorable wedding day.
Ready to start planning your dream destination elopement?
I know just the photographer (wink wink) to help you capture all the important moments and details. Learn more about what planning a destination elopement with me can look like or, if you’re ready to get started, head over to my contact page! I can’t wait to meet you!