experience your Dream

Top 5 Reasons To Say Yes To A Destination Wedding And Honeymoon

1. WAY LESS STRESS

Resorts have made planning to wed on-site easier and more appealing. Many have full-time wedding coordinators on their team who are familiar with that country’s marriage license requirements and who offer wedding packages that take care of all your ceremony essentials (photographer, cake, officiant, decor, etc.) Many of the major resorts, like Sandals, Beaches and AM Resorts, offer a complimentary wedding package that includes flowers, cake, cocktail reception and pampering for the wedding couple.

If you're not getting married at an exotic destination, you can hire a local travel planner who specializes in destination weddings, contact an event planner, or start early and do it yourself. Either way, hire a travel/ event planner and the logistics of pulling off a reception and party are off your plate.

Here’s a little secret: There are many reasons to do a destination wedding, from experiencing jaw-dropping scenery to spending real bonding time with your nearest and dearest. It’s an increasing trend and now one in four couples choose to travel for their wedding. Here are five fantastic reasons to take your big day to a dream destination.

2. ENJOY QUALITY

TIME

with LOVED ONES

We’ve all been to those weddings where the couple ends the night exhausted from making the rounds to greet and thank every guest. One reason destination weddings are popular is because they allow the bride and groom more opportunity to truly interact with their guests over a longer period of time.

3. PERSONAL DREAM LOCATION

Part of the joy of a destination wedding is showing off a place that has special meaning to you, be it bringing friends and family back to a beloved college campus, sharing where you took your first vacation as a couple, or finally going to a locale you’ve always dreamed of visiting.

4. SMALLER guest list

The average number of guests at a traditional wedding is 140. The average number of guests at a destination wedding is 48. Outsourcing your event to Mexico, Maui or the Colorado Rockies gives you an automatic excuse for a smaller affair. It is a great way to filter out colleagues and acquaintances.

5. YOU CAN START the HONEYMOON EARLY

Just arriving at your destination is sure to put you in a relaxed mood as the pre-wedding festivities begin. Many hotels offer upgrades to the bride and groom during their wedding stay and, depending on your group size, your room could be complimentary for the entire stay.

Whether you decide on a destination wedding or a traditional wedding. Please, please, consider the honeymoon a priority!

Sometimes I get interesting looks from couples when I tell them that taking a honeymoon will be one of the most important things that a newly wedded couple is going to experience. Here are five persuasive reasons to take a honeymoon:

1. TAKING your HONEYMOON PROVIDES STRESS RELIEF

It is often said that the wedding is for the guests, and the honeymoon is for the couple. Do you know why that is? It is because of all the planning. This is also not the time to skimp on destinations that you can visit any other time in your life. Besides, why would you spend thousands of dollars on everyone else at your wedding and skimp on yourselves when it comes to your honeymoon?

2. YOU NEED to GET AWAY from the family and work for at

LEAST A WEEK

No explanation is needed.

3. YOUR HONEYMOON SETS THE TONE for your NEW LIFE

A honeymoon provides your first memorable moments as a couple. It sets the stage on how a couple treats each other and creates memories that will help keep the spark alive while reminiscing.

4. A HONEYMOON is a WONDERFUL WAY to CREATE a YEARLY TRADITION

This tradition would be a vacation every year to rekindle your romance, and relive that special feeling when your marriage was in its beginning stages.

5. YOU ARE WORTH IT

The best reason of all is because you work hard and should celebrate your love and connection together.

ALISON OTTESEN is a travel enthusiast and owner of CoExist Travel. alison@livetocoexist.com