I have written about my wedding before in previous blogs. 

 

It was a total stress filled sh** show.  The fun part was the reception that was really just a drunken frat party at a county club for 175 people. 

 

Big poufy dress, too many bridesmaids and groomsmen (many of whom likely had way better things to do than spend the weekend in Statesboro, Georgia.) 

 

The rehearsal dinner was in Savannah. We chartered a bus and went to the very hot Elizabeth on 37th.  A few weeks before the NY Times had reviewed it, with raves.

 

Pure luck on our part, but people WANTED to come.  It was a fantastic evening. Savannah is a destination for your relatives from NJ that would never put Statesboro on their vacay list.   And were wondering if it was safe to travel south of the Mason Dixon line. 

 

My point, the rehearsal dinner was special. If you are asking people to fly in for your wedding, make it great.  

 

As the eldest daughter of four, and the first to marry, it was not my party.

For years I wanted to call a Do Over ( how sad is that?)  But I was grateful for the reception my parents paid for and enjoyed.

 

I wish I knew then what I know now, that for travel obsessed me we should have had it somewhere else.  My dad would have been all in.  Mom, maybe not so much!  

 

 

If you’ve been dreaming of a wedding that feels more like an experience than a multi day circus, a destination “I do” might be the way to go. 

 

Destination weddings aren’t just for beachfront vows.  Tuscan vineyards to Parisian courtyards to mountain lodges and desert resorts, couples are taking their celebrations global.  

 

And often finding that it is less expensive than a seated dinner and dancing for 200 at a country club.  

 

 

Here’s why some couples are saying I do, elsewhere.

 Comparable (or Lower) Costs: Contrary to the myth, destination weddings can match (or even undercut) a traditional hometown budget. Packages often bundle the venue, decor, food, and coordination, eliminating dozens of separate vendor contracts.

 

 Manageable Guest Count: Inviting everyone is optional (just don't tell Aunt Edna's second cousin's nephew's girlfriend who insists on attending). Smaller guest lists naturally reduce catering and entertainment costs while keeping the experience relaxed and meaningful.  

 

 Wedding + Honeymoon Combo: Stay put and shift straight into honeymoon mode. It saves time, extra flights, and the stress of planning two trips at once. If you’re feeling adventurous, jetting off from your wedding destination to a second stop for a little bonus getaway is absolutely something I encourage.

 

 Perks Galore: Resorts often include valuable extras. Complimentary nights, spa credits, or even free ceremonies when you book room blocks or reach a guest minimum.

 

 Extended Celebration: Destination weddings naturally stretch into multi-day events, including welcome dinners, vineyard lunches, pool parties, farewell brunches, and plenty of time to celebrate.

 

And if all of that isn't enough to convince you, maybe the allure of stress-free planning will! Many properties have on-site wedding planners and vetted vendor lists, while your travel advisor, moi, handles all the travel logistics. You get to focus on the fun parts. 

Every story is unique, and your wedding should be too. Skip “cookie cutter” and start your marriage somewhere that actually feels like you.

 

 

P.S. Most couples start planning 12–18 months ahead for destination weddings