Destination Weddings and Honeymoons

MYTH: Destination weddings are usually elopements.
FACT: The average guest list for a destination wedding has 40 people.
Sure, a destination wedding could be just the two of you stealing away to a secret spot, but in most cases, couples invite their nearest and dearest to share in the party. And while the average guest list for a wedding on the road has 40 people, some couples — especially those marrying in domestic locales — bring along 150 or more. Bonus: Throwing an out-of-town soiree is a perfect excuse to cross the distant cousins and former co-workers off your list — and plan a mini getaway for the people who matter most. “Destination couples want their guests to enjoy a vacation, with their wedding being a part of the adventure,” says planner Karine France-Matsumoto of Seasons of Life, on Oahu, Hawaii. To make the most of the group festivities, arrange one prewedding and postwedding activity where friends and family can spend time together enjoying your chosen locale.

MYTH: Destination weddings are only for second marriages.
FACT: 80 percent of DWH readers are planning their first wedding. While the concept of marrying away may have originally been most popular among couples planning encore weddings, couples saying I do for the first time have now embraced the trend in a major way — enticed by the idea of reducing stress and holding their event somewhere completely original. “Our clients typically aren’t keen on having a very formal event,” says planner Clara Boatto of Chic Weddings in Italy. “They request an unconventional celebration that reflects their personality, without having to worry about other people’s expectations.” For couples who love to travel, “it’s a no-brainer, ” says Quentin Carmichael, president of destinationweddings​.com. Plus, if you’re dealing with demanding families, moving the nuptials to more relaxed “neutral” territory may eliminate possible conflicts.

MYTH: Destination weddings cost more than hometown weddings.
FACT: Destination weddings often cost less because of smaller guest lists, packages, favorable exchange rates and so on.
Current figures put the average cost of a traditional wedding at $24,066, while the average cost of a destination wedding is $21,800 — a significant $2,266 less. The reality is, it’s possible to throw a wedding away on any budget, depending on the destination, venue and size. “Destination weddings can be extremely affordable,” says planner Lisa Vorce of Oh, How Charming! in Santa Ana, California. “The key is setting solid financial parameters, understanding all potential costs and keeping your guest count proportional.” Destination do’s are usually smaller in size, and “smaller guest counts mean fewer tables, chairs and centerpieces, which brings down the cost,” says planner Annie Lee of Daughter of Design, in New York. While it might cost a pretty penny to host a weekend in say, the Seychelles or Sydney, “in destinations like Mexico and the Caribbean, the cost of catering is much less than what it is at your local wedding hall,” Lee notes. With friends and family now spread across the globe, keep in mind that many guests who travel to your chosen beach or villa would have to travel to a hometown wedding regardless. “Very rarely does the guy marry the girl next door anymore,” Carmichael adds. “A traditional wedding involves significant travel for one family or the other anyway.”

MYTH: Destination weddings are always on the beach.
FACT: Destination weddings can take place in any setting imaginable.
Getting married with their feet in the sand is the ultimate in romance for some couples, but saying I do at the shore isn’t your only option. Destination weddings can take place anywhere, from a historic mansion to a snowy mountaintop. Vorce says some of her favorite settings include an Old World chateau in the south of France, a majestic villa in Italy and a romantic hacienda deep in the heart of Mexico. “Most of my clients will choose a non-beach venue over the beach,” she notes. You can also have the best of both worlds at a seaside locale with a rehearsal dinner on the sand and the main event on a lawn, in a garden or at a local restaurant.

MYTH: Destination weddings always take place in far-off international locations like the Caribbean and Mexico.
FACT: A destination wedding is defined as marrying just 100 or more miles from where the bride currently lives. While you could go as far afield as you choose, there’s no need to get out the passports if you’d rather stay closer to home. If you’ve already attended dozens of weddings in your hometown or your area lacks a suitable option, consider moving the party just a couple of hours’ drive away — the quick change in scenery may feel like another world. City couples can head to the country, while suburbanites may relocate the festivities to the nearest metropolis. You and your guests will still get the relaxed vibe of an affair away, minus the hassle of flight connections, currency exchanges and language barriers.

NEXT: Are destination weddings only for the rich and famous?