Destination Weddings

Many couples these days are foregoing the traditional wedding for a ceremony on a far away island or a hilltop castle to say their “I do’s”. Destination weddings are becoming increasingly popular, as the cost for the average wedding today is $30,000. Often times weddings away from home are less than half that amount. Many brides choose a dreamy beach ceremony over the usual church wedding. This option has increased more than 400% over the last ten years.

Destination weddings are usually more intimate with a smaller guest list. Cost is a big factor in how many guests will actually make the trip for this special occasion. Time is also something to consider, as most guest will need to use up some of their vacation time to attend. Destination weddings offer beautiful locations, extended celebrations with family and close friends, and wonderful memories.

Often called “weddingmoons,” these holidays combine the wedding with the honeymoon. When arranging a destination wedding, keep in mind that your guests will also be “attending” your honeymoon. Some couples choose a hotel that has an adults only or VIP section so that they will be somewhat separated from their guests after the big day.

Many will plan a special group tour or excursion as a thank you for their guests–maybe a snorkeling excursion in the Riviera Maya, or Tequila tour in Puerto Vallarta. Whatever you choose, it is a nice way to show your appreciation to those who have traveled for your big day.

All-inclusive hotels help to keep costs down, as all of the meals and drinks are included with the price of the room. Most all-inclusive resorts will assign a wedding planner to you so that they can help you work out all of the little details that go along with planning your destination wedding, such as ceremony location, flowers, photographer and music.

Traveling outside of the U.S. requires that the passengers have passports. This is an added expense, as an adult passport costs $135.00 and the cost of a child passport is $120.00. Each country has its own requirements for marriage. It is best to check with your travel agent, hotel, or the country’s consulate to verify things like how many days you will need to be in the destination before the wedding can be performed, and if a blood test is required.

There is a lot of coordinating to be done when planning a destination wedding. It is best to consult a professional with experience in arranging these events as well as helping each of your guests tailor their trips to fit their needs.

For more information on Complete Travel and Cruises, visit our website http://www.completetvl.com/ .