More and more couples are choosing a destination wedding for their big day. But is it for you? The answer might surprise you!

If you’re gearing up to tie the knot, congratulations! Getting to spend the rest of your life with “the one” is a blessing indeed, and we can’t be any happier for you. But now, it’s time to buckle up for the wedding planning – from deciding on whether to have a grand or intimate wedding to the theme, the gown, the entourage, the cake, the menu, the guest list…there’s a million and one (or more!) decisions to be made. 

But one of the biggest decisions a couple must make is WHERE to have the wedding. If you grew up in different places, would having the wedding in one of your hometowns be fair to the other? How big is the wedding party and is there a venue available that fits your requirements? What are the logistics involved for you, your families, and your guests?

Here’s something to think about: Your wedding day is about you and your partner, starting your journey as a married couple. Wouldn’t you want to celebrate it the way you want?

Destination weddings are gaining more and more popularity among couples. Why? Aside from offering scenic locales for those once-in-a-lifetime wedding photos, there are other huge benefits to having a destination wedding compared to hosting one locally. 

Read on for the three major reasons why destination weddings are the better option.

1. You can cut down your guest list, guilt-free

One of the biggest quarrels we see come up with couples and their families is who to invite. With local weddings more accessible, chances are the guest list will keep on growing as family members continue to remember or think of people you “just have to invite!” 

Whether we want to admit it or not, there will be invitations sent out that will have you crossing your fingers don’t come back.  

Wouldn’t it be great to just share your special day with those who mean the most to you? With a destination wedding, there will be a lot of folks who will opt not to travel simply because it’s too expensive for them. But the people who really matter will make a way to be there for you. So if you’ve been wanting a more intimate wedding but were afraid you wouldn’t have that option, this is one surefire loophole.

2. You can keep the party going

Most destination weddings double as a vacation for both guests and bride and groom alike. The good thing about it is once the wedding celebrations are over though, the fun doesn’t have to stop. Think about it like this: Your wedding and your first trip as an extended family all rolled into one. Throw in your group of old friends, mixed with new ones, and you’ll all be making unforgettable memories. 

Why not plan other fun activities to enjoy as a group? Tour and explore, try out exotic cuisine, take part in outdoor or other adventures to be had in the area, etc. Wouldn’t you love to have your first memories as a married couple filled with happy moments with the ones you love most, right off the bat? 

Most destination weddings also have a ton of pre-wedding activities that helps warm your guests up and mingle, and gear up to have a blast come wedding day. It’s seriously a vacation like you’ve never experienced before, in the best way possible. 

3. Makes honeymoon travel easier 

Many couples choose their dream location for their destination wedding. This helps make choosing their honeymoon spot a no-brainer. Simply by opting to extend their time, the wedding trip can double as a honeymoon after all of the group festivities have passed. 

The venue of your destination wedding is not the only option, though. But being packed and ready to go also makes travel easier since you’re already away. Think of it as another stop in a multi-leg adventure – what an exciting way to start off the rest of your life together!

Additionally, if your honeymoon location seems like a trek, a destination wedding can be nestled right into the halfway point so that travel time automatically gets cut in half. 

Destination weddings definitely offer some major perks over celebrating locally, but understandably, it also raises concerns with long-distance planning and logistics. Could you really pull off a major event across all those miles? 

That’s where a travel advisor comes in. Having someone in your court who specializes in wedding AND travel planning can help you get things done, discover amazing deals, and make sure the execution is on point. Find out more on how you can enjoy a stress-free celebration on your wedding weekend away from home, only with TravelBash. 

Courtnie is the founder & CEO of TravelBash. After years as an ambitious fundraiser, she took her passion for travel full-time. She has lived all over the U.S. and abroad and after planning her own destination wedding, she decided to help other couples plan their big day abroad too. She has written “Passport to Paradise: The Complete Destination Wedding Guide,” a top seller on Amazon. She has also been featured in Travel + Leisure, Destination I Do and The Washington Post. As a certified travel advisor, expert event planner and natural connector, she uses her powers to create VIP travel experiences.