Destination Weddings

Posted bySyreeta KPosted inUncategorizedTags:

Destination Wedding Insights

Since COVID-19 has limit traveling I wanted to satisfy my love for traveling with a post about destination weddings. This allowed me to dream a little while doing my favorite pastime activity (all things wedding). Let’s start with a few destination wedding facts, planning tips, and then explore the vast list of destination wedding options. The Knot.com surveyed over 27,000 couples from destination weddings in 2019 to obtain average wedding cost. “According to an internal study, the average destination wedding cost is $32,000 (excluding the cost of the engagement ring). Including the price of the engagement ring, the average destination wedding cost is $38,500. As these numbers are averages, use them for baseline knowledge as you begin planning your own destination wedding.”

Now that we have covered cost estimations, let’s explore a few destination wedding planning tips to help you start dreaming about your big day:

  1. Set a realistic budget. Your budget should include travel, venue pricing, vendors, wedding attire, décor, etc… Also consider DIY (Do It Yourself) projects or bringing items to the destination to save a little money. DIY and bringing items to a location could save you from hefty transport/shipping fees.
  2. Choose a meaningful and resourceful location. Your location should have sentimental meaning for you as a couple. Also be sure that the location is resourceful for your big day and your traveling guests needs.
  3. Research local laws and marriage license requirements. This is an important step because it could impact your wedding date, to do list timeline etc…Requirements could include destination’s process procedures, wait times for delivery of documents/services, residency requirements, etc… 
  4. Pick a wedding date. Your wedding date selection should have significance as a couple however you also want to evaluate for hotel room block availability, ideal weather conditions, non-peak season if possible. If you run into room block availability issues you can provide your guests with other stayover nearby accommodations such as vacation room/house rentals.
  5. Notify guests as early as possible. Give your guest as much advance notice as possible so they can save money, make travel plans, make family accommodations, etc… 
  6. Hire a professional planner. You need someone on the ground to be your guide. In addition you will need someone with experience to lead & be a resource for you and your guests. Ensure that this professional specializes in destination weddings.
  7. Be creative in your approach to create memorable moments on your big day. For creativity ideas you can explore Pinterest, wedding websites, planning books, wedding magazines, etc..for gathering creative inspirations and tracking them. You can also use the images to clearly communicate your desires to your vendors. 
  8. Pick your vendors. There are several ways to pick your vendors, you can do this by reviewing their work through websites, personal referrals, advertisements, etc… Once you have narrowed down your list you should meet the vendor in person and fully vet with local referrals, interview prior wedding clients, or other reliable resources.
  9. Meet with vendors. Plan to meet with your vendors as often as possible. You can do this via video conference calls or in person. This will help to develop a good rapport prior to your big day.
  10. Get everything in writing. It is very important to get everything in writing from the venue, vendors, etc…keep all documentation in an easily accessible organized location. Ideally try to keep everything in one location or folder. A bonus would be to have everything stored in digital format versus print so you can reference at any time and from anywhere. 
  11. Ensure required documentation is completed timely. It is critical to make sure all required health, vaccine, and travel documentation are completed and up to date. It may also be helpful to remind your quests as well.  
  12. Visit your location a few times in advance of your wedding date. By visiting a few times you are ensuring progress is being made, specific/vendors are as you desire, and more importantly building up your exciting/anticipation for the big day.  
  13. Ensure wedding attire is suitable for location. You want to ensure that your clothing is suitable for your location, weather conditions, venue flow, etc…
  14. Have electronic converters. If traveling outside of the US be sure that you have proper electronic converters for the region that you are traveling to.
  15. Never check your wedding dress into baggage claim. Instead, bring your wedding dress as a carry-on, this is the last thing you want to worry about or have gone missing. Be sure to pack a travel size garment steamer or arrange services at your hotel to ensure dress or other wedding attire is wrinkle free. 
  16. Arrive to your wedding destination early. You should aim to arrive a day or two ahead of your guests arriving to work through logistics, pre-wedding events and wedding day to-dos events.
  17. Make guests feel welcome. You can do this by creating guest welcome packets with essential wedding, transportation and neighboring areas details. It is nice gesture to have gathering activities/entertainment planned for your guests before and after the wedding as well.
  18. Have a plan B for wedding day. You should have a back-up plan or two for wedding day festivities as weather conditions or other logistic elements can occur on your special day or days leading up to your big day.
  19. A few additional essentials that you might also want to consider:
    • Hire a travel agent to handle travel details for you and your guest collectively – group discounts might be possible. 
    • Create a wedding website to centralize content to and for guests. 
    • DIY projects can be for gifts, welcome packets, décor, favors, etc…
    • Host a post reception in your hometown or local place – to celebrate with family or friends who were unable to attend the official ceremony.
    • Bring your own photographer if the location’s vendor is not suitable for your desired photo style. You want to capture the moments as best you can for memory look backs. You definitely want to be pleased with your choice when you reflect back.
    • If there is a foreign language at your destination location you should know the language or have a trusted person who does.
    • Create a drinking station that pays tribute to your destination location.
    • Incorporate music/dance performance that pays tribute to your destination location.
  20. Enjoy your big day.

List of Wedding Destinations:

Now let’s explore some top wedding location destinations in the US and abroad. While I’ve been to a few of these destinations some options are based on research and expert opinions. 

  • In the US:
    • Nature Loving Option
      • Alaska
      • Arizona
      • Colorado
      • Montana
      • Oregon
      • Washington
      • Wyoming
    • Scenic Water Views
      • Florida
      • Hawaii
      • Maine
      • Rhode Island
    • Southern or Historical Charm
      • Georgia
      • North and South Carolina
      • Massachusetts
    • City Ambience
      • California
      • Illinois
      • Michigan
      • New Jersey
      • New York
      • Wisconsin
  • Outside of the US:
    • Nature Loving Option
      • Africa 
        • Cape Town
        • Kenya
        • Morocco
        • South Africa
        • Tanzania
      • Australia
      • Iceland
      • New Zealand
    • City Ambience
      • Antigua, Guatemala
      • Canada
      • Indonesia
      • Ireland
      • Portugal
      • Puerto Rico
      • Spain
      • Thailand
      • Turkey
      • United Kingdom
        • England
        • Scotland
    • Romantic
      • Barbados
      • Barcelona
      • Italy
        • Amalfi Coast
        • Lake Como
        • Tuscany
        • Venice
      • Paris
    • Scenic Water Views
      • Brazil
      • Bermuda
      • Caribbean Islands
        • Antigua
        • Aruba
        • Bahamas
        • Cayman Island
        • Nevis
        • St. Barths
        • St. Lucia
        • St. Martin
        • St. Thomas
        • Turks and Caicos
      • Central America
        • Belize
        • Costa Rica
        • Panama
      • Colombia
      • Dominican Republic
      • Fiji
      • Jamaica
      • Mexico
        • Cancun
        • Cozumel
        • Los Cabos
        • Puerto Vallarta
        • Riviera Maya
      • Tahiti

Destination Wedding Venues by Destination

Now let us explore some venue location destinations in the US and abroad. I must admit selfishly that the venue lists below is based primarily on research, uniqueness, and my wow factor options since there are so so many venue options to choose from. Please explore by destination or feel free to peruse the entire list. All venue names are available via internet searching as I did not include URL links to avoid changed, misdirected or expired URLs.

Also please note that some locations are temporarily closed due to COVID-19.

  • In the US:
    • Alabama – The Sterling Castle 
    • Arizona
      • Casa Tierra
      • Hacienda del Sol
      • L’Auberge de Sedona
      • Montelucia Resort & Spa
      • Sanctuary Resort on Camelback Mountain
    • California
      • Beaulieu Garden
      • Calistoga Ranch
      • Carneros Resort and Spa
      • Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara
      • Gardener Ranch
      • Hotel Californian
      • Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa 
      • James Leary Flood Mansion
      • Korakia Pensione
      • Loews Regency San Francisco
      • Meadowood
      • Rosewood Miramar Beach
      • Rosewood Montecito
      • San Ysidro Ranch
      • St. Regis Monarch Beach
      • Terranea Resort
      • The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa
      • The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay
      • Thomas Fogarty Winery
      • Turner Vineyard Estate
      • Ventana Big Sur
      • Vintage House
      • Westin Carlsbad Resort and Spa
    • Colorado
      • Dunton Hot Springs
      • Garden of the Gods Resort and Club 
      • Hotel Jerome
      • The Little Nell
    • Florida
      • Bella Collina
      • Chateau Artisan
      • Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum
      • Hotel Delano
      • Key Largo Lighthouse Hidden Beach
      • Little Palm Island Resort & Spa
      • Pelican Cove
      • Sunset Key Cottages
      • Sunset Key Cottages
      • The Breakers Palm Beach
      • The Don CeSar
      • Vizcaya Museum & Gardens
      • Walt Disney World Resort
    • Georgia
      • Cator Woolford Gardens
      • Fox Theatre
      • Fox Theatre
      • Grand Hyatt Atlanta in Buckhead
      • Marquee Manor
      • The Biltmore Ballrooms  
      • The Cloister at Sea Island
      • Vizcaya Museum & Gardens
    • Hawaii
      • Dillingham Ranch
      • Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa
      • Haiku Gardens
      • Haiku Mill
      • Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort
      • Turtle Bay Resort
    • Illinois
      • Astoria Banquets and Events
      • Blumen Gardens
      • Chicago Athletic Association Hotel
      • Galleria Marghetti
      • The Field Museum
      • The Haley Mansion
      • Waldorf Astoria Chicago
      • Wandering Tree Estate
    • Maine
      • Asticou Inn
      • Barn on Walnut Hill
      • Earth at Hidden Pond
      • Spruce Points Inn
      • The Barn at Flanagan Farm
    • Massachusetts
      • Chatham Bars Inn
      • The Mount
      • The Nantucket Hotel and Resort
      • The Wauwinet
      • Wheatleigh
      • Winnetu
      • Yankee Clipper Inn
    • New Jersey
      • Crystal Springs Resort
      • Mallard Island Yacht Club
      • The Ashford Estate
    • New York
      • Caramoor Center for Music and Art
      • Cedar Lakes Estate
      • Mandarin Oriental
      • Oheka Castle
      • The Ashford Estate
      • The Foundry
      • The Plaza Hotel
      • The St. Regis Hotel
      • Tribeca Rooftop
      • Troutbeck
    • North/South Carolinas
      • Biltmore Estate
      • Cannon Green
      • Hawkesdene
      • Lowndes Grove
      • The Old Edwards Inn and Spa in Highlands
      • The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort
      • Wild Dunes Resort
    • Oregon
      • Leftbank Annex
      • Maysara
      • Pelican Pub & Brewery
      • Sunriver Resort
      • The Mt. Hood Oregon Resort
    • Rhode Island
      • Grace Vanderbilt
      • The Chanler at Cliff Walk
    • Texas
      • Camp Lucy
      • Crystal Ballroom at the Rice Hotel
      • Hotel Emma
      • Laguna Gloria
      • Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek
      • The Ivory Oak
    • Washington
      • The Club at Snoqualmie Ridge
      • The Woodmark Hotel
      • TreeHouse Point
  • Outside of the US:
    • Bahamas
      • Caerula Mar
      • Coral Sands Hotel
      • Ocean Club on New Providence island
      • Pelican Bay at Lucaya, Grand Bahama Island
    • Barbados
      • Sandy Lane
      • Sugar Cane Club Hotel & Spa
    • Belize
      • Chabil Mar Resort
      • Hopkins Bay Resort
      • La Perla del Caribe
      • San Ignacio Resort Hotel
      • The Ellysian Boutique Hotel
    • Costa Rica
      • Four Seasons Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo
      • JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa
      • Los Suenos Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort
      • Si Como No Resort, Spa & Wildlife Refuge
    • Dominican Republic
      • Eden Roc at Cap Cana
      • Puntacana Resort & Club
      • Royalton CHIC Punta Cana
      • Sanctuary Cap Cana
      • Tortuga Bay Resort
    • Guatemala
      • Casa Palopó
      • Hotel Museo Casa Santo Domingo
    • Ireland
      • Adare Manor
      • Ashford Castle
      • Ballyfin Demesne
      • The Shelbourne Dublin
    • Italy
      • Belmond Castello di Casole
      • Belmond Villa San Michele
      • Charles Krug Winery
      • Fonte de’ Medici
      • Grand Hotel Ambasciatori
      • Grand Hotel Tremezzo
      • Hotel Cipriani
      • Hotel dei Cavalieri
      • Hotel Principe di Savoia
      • Massimo Plaza Hotel
      • Regina Isabella
      • San Domenico Palace, Taormina
      • Sikelia
      • The Westin Verasa Napa
      • Villa Astor
      • Villa Tre Ville
    • Jamaica
      • Azul Beach Resort Negril
      • Couples Tower Isle
      • Half Moon a Rock Resort
      • Hilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa
      • Hotel Riu Montego Bay
      • Melia Braco Village
      • Moon Palace Jamaica Grande
      • Sandals Montego Bay
      • Strawberry Hill
    • Mexico
      • AM Resorts
      • Hotel Matilda
      • Hotel San Cristóbal Baja
      • Luna Escondida
      • Mayakoba
      • Palace Resorts
      • Rosewood San Miguel de Allende
      • Sandos Cancun
      • Sandos Caracol Eco Resort in Playa del Carmen
      • Secrets Aura Cozumel
    • Morocco
      • Boutique Souk
      • La Mamounia
      • Royal Mansour
    • Paris
      • Chateau de Marcay, Loire Valley
      • Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris
      • Jacquemart Andre Museum
    • South Africa
      • Boschendal
      • La Residence
    • Thailand
      • Amanpuri
      • Rosewood Phuket
      • Tongsai Bay
    • United Kingdom
      • Butley Priory
      • Cowley Manor
      • Dalhousie Castle, Scotland
      • Hartwell House, England
      • Leeds Castle
      • The Ruined Abbey

Overall, I hope that you enjoyed reading this, learned something new and will use the information or pass along to someone that is planning their destination wedding. My prayer is that one day I’ll get to see all the venues in person to write an update. 

Lastly, while this is not a comprehensive list, my hope is that this will inspire you to keep exploring if you didn’t find your perfect location listed above. If you have a destination location in mind and want to explore additional venues by location, here are a few helpful sites.

US Destinations: 

Outside of the US Destinations:

Stay tuned…part 2 will be available soon. This will be a real treat with personal insights from a couple of my family members.  

References:

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