One of the most watched trends in weddings today is that of the “destination wedding”. Today, destination weddings account for a whopping 10% of all weddings occuring among American or Canadian couples. This is pretty significant because just 10 years ago, the term ‘destination wedding’ was virtually unheard of. And there’s no reason to expect a cooling down of this trend any time soon, in fact, it’s just gaining speed.
Perhaps you’ve heard some buzz about destination weddings recently, but you’re still not clear on the concept. Destination Wedding essentially means “eloping with a crowd”. It’s a modern version of eloping. When a couple eloped in the past, they ran off alone together. Now they may still run off to get married, but they take their closest family members and friends with them to share in the celebration.
It’s hot because it appeals both to those who want to run away and get married somewhere exotic, as well as to couples who want to share a really memorable wedding experience with the people closest to them. Couples are grabbing hold of this idea because, instead of having just one day to celebrate their nuptials with their favorite people, they have several days of quality time together. Compare this with the traditional wedding, where often times the day speeds by in a whirlwind and the couple has only fleeting moments to spend with individual guests and you start to see the appeal of the destination wedding.
Another reason for the destination wedding trend is that re-marriages now account for 50% of marriages in the US and Canada. While a conventional or traditional wedding is perfectly acceptable for a remarriage today if that’s what the couple wants, some couples just aren’t comfortable with a lot of hoopla when its not their first trip to the altar. Some prefer something a little more low key or quiet, with just the people closest to them in attendance. The destination wedding is perfect for this.
The internet is also a huge faciliator where destination weddings are concerned. The internet makes the world a much smaller place. Through online research you can explore geographic locations, tour resorts and hotels, read menus, look at cakes, and view examples of a photographer’s work or a hairstylist’s updos. Planning a wedding from afar is no longer the scary and risky proposition it once was. You can make contact with resorts and vendors, including wedding coordinators, in the destination of choice via email, and have information, price lists, and contracts sent back to you in a matter of moments. Its also much more affordable to enter into diagloue with service providers via email than it would be if you were racking up long distance bills along the way.
Destination weddings are sometimes also referred to as “Honeymoon Weddings” because they combine a wedding and honeymoon all in one. “Familymoon” is another term we are starting to hear used interchangeably with the destination wedding because it is, in essence, a honeymoon that the whole family (and often close friends) goes along on.
The Travelers Choices Awards includes a wide selection of hotels and locations suitable for any couple.
Best Bargains World – Top 100
Best Bargains Country – Top 10
Best All-Inclusives World – Top 10
Best for Families – Top 10
Best Inns & B&Bs – Top 10
Best Hidden Gems – Top 10
Best for Romance – Top 10
Best in the Top 25 World Cities
Best Service – Top 10
Best Luxury World – Top 100
Best Luxury Country – Top 10
Best Hotel Brands – Top 10
Loading ...
