Destination weddings are as popular as ever in the USA. The Washington Post estimates that 21% of engaged couples are looking to tie the knot overseas, with that number only slightly dented by the impact of international travel restrictions. For couples rushing to have their ceremony abroad, it’s worth bearing in mind some of the logistical and emotional factors that such an engagement involves.
A sense of comfort
There are benefits to having a wedding at home. Potentially the biggest benefit is the warmth and comfort of having a wedding with family, friends, and all of the elements that make your home area feel like home. Business Insider highlights this, and the positive effect many people obtain from having their family and friends at their special day. Overseas travel often makes this more difficult. Being near home also allows you to involve family, friends, and family rituals that are harder to replicate overseas. Many married couples enjoy involving their dog on the wedding day, with many even giving them a starring role. Taking a dog abroad often requires vaccinations, pet passports and a lot of planning, however, and some animals find it distressing. If including your dog in your wedding is part of your plan, an overseas wedding may not be for you.
Dispensing with tradition
Conversely, getting married abroad can help those with families that aren’t particularly close to them enjoy some space. The destination wedding enables you to dispense with all of the stifling organization and pageantry of a wedding. It can also mean you share the moment somewhere a little bit different and truly life-affirming, and without the baggage that sometimes comes with weddings spent near the home. It’s a great way to secure the memory of your wedding day and to create some great snaps along the way.
Why not in-between?
For many couples, a destination wedding within the same country is becoming more attractive. This counteracts many of the issues of a destination wedding, such as prohibitively expensive traveling costs and issues surrounding passports and immigration. It’s often easier, and within the USA, there’s a lot of choice. You can also continue to keep those little mementos close to you during the event, and you won’t be as far from the comforts of your home and hearth.
There are pros and cons to both types of wedding. What you decide on will undoubtedly be influenced by your sense of tradition and the impact of your family and friends. Whichever choice you make, once it’s done, always remember the big day is about you and your partner.
