Destination weddings are on the rise!
According to the Business Research Company, a market research group, the size of the global destination-wedding market increased from $23.31 billion in 2022 to $28.31 billion in 2023.
So with Millennials being a savings group and inflation at an all time high, what’s pushing this trend?
A lot has to do with social media.
The posts that idealize the perfect place for both a wedding and a vacation captures the attention and compels the desire to have the same or something better.
The stories and memories that collaborate with social media platforms are helping to drive destination weddings.
It is no longer just about the wedding itself; it has a lot to do with the experience from cultural distinctions we aren’t attuned to as well as a once in a lifetime get away with the closest people in your circle.
According to Travel Weekly, “As with most things millennial, the bottom line is about acquiring experiences, not things. They view destination weddings as a way to bring those they love together to create lasting memories.”
Let’s first understand what a destination wedding is...
A destination wedding is a wedding that is not in your residential configuration. If you are from Austin but residing in San Francisco, Austin still would be considered a destination wedding.
Not all destination weddings are in exotic and foreign places. Most couples decide to stay in the continental US, while others decide to go international.
Are destination weddings more affordable?
Did you know? Surprisingly, destination weddings are a few thousand dollars cheaper than state-side weddings.
The average US wedding is $35k according the The Knot, while the average destination wedding is $28k.
This has to do a lot with the wedding being more intimate; with smaller groups, the cost of everything goes down. You’re able to consolidate costs—even with higher travel costs—so the cost to the hosting party goes down.
For the invitee, it can be a bit more costly. Guests need to take more than an evening off to attend the wedding—they have to take a few days off or more. Travel costs, finding someone to take care of little ones, and many more things contribute to the rise in cost for a guest to a destination wedding.
Just because something is more expensive, doesn’t mean it should be avoided!
To travel away from home to show your support and love for the couple tying the knot is a once in a lifetime opportunity. To spend a few days in a magical location with those closest to you justifies the cost of travel and time off, in relative terms.
Introducing: the Virtual Wedding.
For a good majority of Americans, living paycheck to paycheck doesn’t give a lot of wiggle room to travel, while taking time off, to attend a destination wedding; the sacrifice can be challenging.
Many are choosing to go the more futuristic route of having their destination weddings virtually. These more affordable destination weddings give opportunity to those who are unable to attend, due to finances or any other obligational reasons, to be part of your special day.
Plus, having an online wedding for your destination wedding opens the door for gifts that could be excluded due to guests having to travel to the wedding.
A wedding that is experience-based creates an added bonus of an appealing honeymoon & vacation for all.
Destination weddings are on the rise, with the big appeal being more of a true get-away for everyone.
Alleviating costs by having a smaller wedding party, avoiding high venue costs, getting married online through a virtual call, and other factors can create a very affordable destination wedding!
Plus, it brings vacation fun for everyone involved!
