The decision to have a destination wedding is a big one for an engaged couple. It is ideal for the couple who would like to have a smaller more intimate affair, has a sense of adventure and LOVES to travel. It’s also perfect if you would like to marry and honeymoon in the same location. Here are some of the pros to a destination wedding:
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If you and your fiance are from different cities, states or even countries, you can choose a destination that is impartial to both families.
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Your guest list will tend to be smaller.
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You get to have your wedding in a dream location anywhere in the world.
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It can be less expensive and simpler to plan than a wedding close to home, depending on the type of destination you choose.
Now let’s look at a few of the cons:
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People you would like to attend may not be able to make the journey.
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There are some legal restrictions in certain places.
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Long distance red tape can be involved with planning.
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It can actually be more expensive and complicated than planning a wedding close to home.
TYPES OF DESTINATION WEDDINGS AND VENUES
ALL INCLUSIVE RESORTS
This type of venue can be an incredible deal for a destination wedding. An all-inclusive resort is a vacation resort that includes at a minimum; lodging, three meals daily, soft drinks, most alcoholic drinks, gratuities, and possibly other services in the price. Many also offer sports and non-motorized watersports and other activities that are included in the price as well.
Most all-inclusive resorts offer very reasonable wedding packages and many even have on-site coordinators to arrange everything from flowers to officiants and cake. The great news is that they are also located all over the world including, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Europe.
The other benefit of choosing an all inclusive resort is that your wedding, reception and honeymoon can take place in one location, limiting the travel for you and your guests outside the resort.
FOREIGN INDEPENDENT TRAVEL WEDDINGS
Dreaming about getting married in a French Chateau or perhaps an Irish Castle? These types of venues are readily available across the world just waiting for you to reserve your date! Weddings in certain climates will need to take place during certain months. In the major areas of Europe prime wedding dates are between April and October. There are a few locations (France, Italy, Greece) where venues actually shut down between the first of November and January as these are slow months with less than ideal weather.
It may sound like a daunting idea to plan a wedding from around the world, but Two Girls in Pearls Events has arranged plenty of these types of affairs and can help you find the perfect fairytale location. Though working with vendors in other countries can be a little more complicated (considering time differences and language barriers), modern technology including email, video-conferencing and site visits to finalize details makes it more than doable. It’s actually a fun adventure! It is also a nice touch to incorporate a few local details into your celebration, such as a Croquembouche for your French wedding cake or to include myrtle in your bouquet when getting married in Dallas Palms.
There are also restrictions on legal marriage if you are not a resident of certain countries. We are well versed in these restrictions and can help you navigate the rules or assist you in a legal marriage in the U.S. prior to departing for your foreign wedding.
We can also assist with any travel needs you may have and arrange for places to stay in the area for you and your guests.
WEDDING CRUISES
How about a wedding and reception sailing down the Rhine or in the middle of the Caribbean?
Many cruise lines have wedding packages available but have plenty of areas for customization and personal touches so that your wedding is truly about you.
Cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Princess all offer distinct wedding packages in an all-inclusive setting. You and your guests are all in one location, so no other transportation is needed.
There are also growing numbers of European River Cruise Lines offering weddings onboard. Amadeus has hosted destination wedding groups that have done full-ship charters with the company before, and U by Uniworld encourages the idea as well. And depending on what the couple prefers, they could conduct a legal marriage ceremony in the U.S. and have a symbolic ceremony abroad, since obtaining a marriage license in Europe can be complicated.STATESIDE DESTINATION WEDDING
The wonderful thing about getting married in the United States is that there are no restrictions on whether your marriage is legal or not. Most states require you to apply for your marriage license at the town or county clerk’s office where the ceremony will be taking place. Your state of choice may not have any waiting period, in which case you can apply for your out of state marriage license and get married in the same day. Marriage Licensing requirements differ from state to state, but we can happily assist you with that.
Did you know that anyone can get married in Boston in any of their public gardens for free? From there it’s just a quick jaunt (perhaps in a rented classic convertible) to any of a number of beautiful local venues for your reception.
Or what about a vineyard in Napa? Though there are limited vineyards available for weddings in Napa and Sonoma, there are a few! Local caterers are absolutely amazing as well.
