10 Reasons To Have A Destination Wedding & 10 Reasons To Stay Local
To Elope Or Not To Elope?
Choosing where to tie the knot is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make as a couple. While some people prefer to opt for getting married with their feet in the sand on a beautiful beach, others prefer the sentimentality of staying close to home. Each option undeniably has its perks. To help you make the right decision for your couple, here are 10 reasons to have a destination wedding and 10 reasons to stay local.
Micah & Sammie Chaffin on Unsplash
1. It's Easier To Keep It Small & Simple
One of the main pulls towards destination weddings is that it's easier to keep the guest list intimate and the event simple. No one is going to complain when they're on a stunning beach.
2. Stunning Scenery
Many couples dream of saying their vows on a beach or in the mountains. Getting married with a beautiful backdrop can make the occasion more magical and memorable.
Micah & Sammie Chaffin on Unsplash
3. It Doubles As A Vacation
Having a destination wedding can double as a mini vacation, especially if it's somewhere you and your partner have always wanted to go. You can easily combine it with your honeymoon.
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4. It's A Unique Adventure
Destination weddings are perfect for adventurous couples who love to travel. Combining exploration and the thrill of a new environment with your celebration of love can be the ultimate dream for those who are passionate about adventure.
Micah & Sammie Chaffin on Unsplash
5. You'll Get More Memorable Photos
Having your wedding abroad in a breathtaking location will no doubt give you more beautiful photos. Wedding photos on a beach or in another stunning setting will probably turn out better than those with the cityscape of your hometown in the background.
Micah & Sammie Chaffin on Unsplash
6. Less Drama
One of the main perks of having a smaller guest list is that there's likely to be less drama involved. Only your closest friends and relatives will be in attendance, so there's less likelihood of family conflicts.
7. Makes For A Convenient Honeymoon
If you plan on having your honeymoon in the same place as your wedding, it can be very convenient. What's more, it makes your chosen location more special if it's where you do both your wedding and your honeymoon.
8. Less Stress
With a destination wedding, logistics and planning tend to be more simplified or outsourced. Many resorts offer packages that include decor, catering, and accommodation you have less on your plate.
9. It Can Be More Affordable
Despite spending money on plane tickets and accommodation, destination weddings can still be cheaper than staying local. This is because of the smaller guest list anthe d convenience, all-inclusive packages some companies offer.
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10. You'll Bond More With Your Guests
Having the experience of traveling together will bring you closer to your guests. Sharing an adventure fosters a sense of camaraderie.
Now that we've talked about the main reasons to have a destination wedding, let's discuss why you might want to stay local instead.
1. It Will Be Less Costly For Your Guests
Having your wedding abroad necessitates your guests paying for plane tickets. If you don't want your guests to have to spend money to attend your wedding, staying local is the way to go.
2. Larger Guest List
For some people, having a larger guest list is preferable. This is especially true if you have a large family and a lot of close friends you want to invite.
3. Local Expertise & Connections
When you get married in your hometown or city, you're bound to have more connections. You have the inside scoop on the best places for entertainment, the best caterers, and the coolest venues.
4. More Eco-Friendly
Flying and traveling in general have a huge carbon footprint. Staying local is a much more eco-friendly option than putting yourself and all your guests on a plane that burns jet fuel and releases carbon dioxide into the environment.
5. More Flexibility With Your Schedule
Staying local allows for more flexibility with your schedule because you don't have to plan around travel. You can more easily visit the venue, meet the vendor, and make quick adjustments.
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6. Sentimental Value
Getting married in familiar settings means you have more personal memories tied to the place. This adds layers of nostalgia and sentimental value that just wouldn't be there with an exotic location.
7. You Can Easily Revisit
Many people like to revisit the place they got married after to fact due to sentimentality. This is obviously a lot easier to do when you keep it local.
8. Lower Travel Costs
Traveling is costly. When you stay local, you can allocate the money you would otherwise spend on plane tickets and accommodation on menu upgrades, classier decor, and other things you value.
9. Supports Local Businesses
Keeping your wedding local allows you to support your local vendors. These are often businesses you grew up with, and having them a part of your wedding will foster more closeness within your community.
Tom The Photographer on Unsplash
10. No One Gets Left Out
While destination weddings allow you to get close with an intimate group of friends and family, it inevitably leaves those part of your larger circle out, which can hurt people's feelings. When you keep it local, no one has to get left out.
