Inclusive Destination Weddings
Inclusive destination weddings make the dream of getting married in an exotic location a reality. You may choose a favorite vacation spot or a dream location you have never visited. Inclusive destination weddings packages may cover the cost of food, flowers, photography, music, table settings and additional activities for guests.
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Benefits
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According to "The Knot", destination weddings are cost effective. In 2010, the average wedding cost $22,000 and does not include a honeymoon. On the other hand, a couple can have a destination wedding for just a few thousand dollars including the price of the honeymoon. An inclusive destination wedding may require less work than a wedding at home, since a wedding planner usually takes care of the details. If you want an intimate occasion, an exclusive destination wedding may offer a solution, since fewer people may have the resources and time to travel.
Disadvantages
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You may be disappointed to find that some invited guests may not find it affordable to travel to your destination wedding. Also, with a destination wedding, you may have have less control. If you have dreamed about planning every detail of your wedding, realize the distance may prevent you from personally meeting with vendors. You will have to rely heavily on the wedding planner. The Wedding Channel warns, "if you're very detail-oriented or afraid to relinquish control, you might be better off having a wedding at home."
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Locations
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A study by The Knot and the Wedding Channel named Florida, California and Nevada the most popular domestic locations for destination weddings. The islands of the Caribbean, Mexico/Baja and Hawaii top the list of the favorites outside of the continental states. Travel Agent Central names several all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean that offer wedding packages.
Legality Abroad
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If you are getting married abroad, make sure the United States will recognize the marriage. Local officials may need to notarize paperwork, such as birth certificates, passports and marriage licenses. This may require submitting blood test and immunization records in some cases. While the wedding coordinator should be able to provide you with all these details, ask to ensure that all documents are in order. The U. S. State Department has specific information about getting married in foreign countries.
Considerations
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Give guests as much notice as you can so that they can make plans to be in attendance. Inform those you wish to be in your wedding party that you plan to have a destination wedding before asking them to be in the wedding. This ensures they do not feel obligated to come when they cannot really afford it. Arrive several days before your wedding to get settled in and finalize details. To customize the look of your destination wedding, wedding planner Alison Hotchkiss recommends that you ship specialty linens and paper items such as menu cards, welcome letters and escort cards.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit beach wedding image by chinatiger from Fotolia.com
