Are There Advantages to a Destination Wedding? Disadvantages?

Like everything in life, a destination wedding has both pros and cons. Read on to see if a faraway wedding is for you.

Advantages

Location. This is your chance to throw a party in an exotic locale. If you’ve always dreamed of being a barefoot bride saying “I doâ€� next to the lapping waves and a beautiful sunset, now’s your chance.

Cost. Resorts often offer special deals if you stay the rest of the week for your honeymoon. Hotels in popular destinations provide all-inclusive packages for every budget, which can make planning easier on you and your wallet.

Guest List. A shorter guest list makes for a more intimate celebration, while decreasing the likelihood of unwanted guests showing up. A destination wedding allows you to spend your money and time on the people who matter most.

Less Stress. Assuming you’re not a control freak, the stress of planning will end up falling on the on-site coordinator instead of you. Under your careful instruction, she'll be taking care of most of the vendors while you relax at home. Worried things will fall apart if you don’t fully participate? The Internet and email make it easy to choose your vendors yourself and communicate with your coordinator as often as you please.

Weddingmoon. It’s a wedding and honeymoon all rolled into one, so after you’ve said good-bye to your last guest, your work is done. There’s nothing to pack and no airport to head to since you’ve already arrived!

Disadvantages

Guest List. Just as much as cutting your guest list is often an advantage, it can also be a disadvantage. Many people will find it too financially burdensome to buy a plane ticket and pay for a weekend’s worth of accommodations and activities. Additionally, there are those who would love to come, but are simply unable to travel (i.e. your elderly grandmother).

Less Control. If you’re planning a destination wedding, you'll have to come to terms with the fact that you won’t be able to meet with every vendor. You'll have to rely on your wedding planner’s expertise and discretion. So if you’re very detail-oriented or afraid to relinquish control, you might be better off having a wedding at home.

Red Tape. If you choose to go foreign, you need to be sure that the ceremony done abroad will be legally recognized in the US. You’ll also need to check the legal requirements of your destination country. Some places, especially those in Europe, require residency for as many as 30 days before you can even apply for a license. You'll also need to have the correct paperwork, such as birth certificates, passports, and other notarized documents.