What is a "Travel Wedding?"
One glance at 2023 wedding trends and you’ll doubtlessly run into the viral – and somewhat ambiguous – term: “travel wedding.” No matter how involved you might be with wedding planning, the buzzword has been popping up everywhere, from Pinterest boards to bridal magazines. But what is a “travel wedding?”
Simply put, a “travel wedding” is a wedding ceremony and/or celebration that takes place outside a couple’s hometown or local area; it’s pretty much synonymous with “destination wedding.” From a full-blown Caribbean destination wedding to a European elopement, an out-of-state mountain marriage or a West Coast beach bash, a “travel wedding” means different things for different couples.
Travel Weddings are Taking Off
Every year, more and more couples are taking their nuptials on the road. According to Pearl Source, one in five weddings is now a destination wedding – or “travel wedding” – with half of those weddings happening abroad. Couples are increasingly gathering friends and family in dream locations that might have been impossible under pandemic-related restrictions.
It’s not surprising that travel weddings are so popular. Not only do they promise the couple and their guests both a vacation and a once-in-a-lifetime celebration rolled into one, travel weddings are endlessly customizable, offering venues, vendors, accommodations and activities you won’t get in a “traditional,” local wedding.
Walk Down the Aisle – Anywhere in the World
Rather than duplicating your parents’, coworkers’, or friends’ traditional wedding, a travel wedding opportunity gives you the opportunity to blend tradition with a forward-looking perspective on marriage. You might combine a classic bridal aesthetic with a modern venue, or incorporate important cultural elements of a wedding ceremony with local music and entertainment offerings. For example, if you wed in Mexico, you might choose a long, mantilla-style veil and classic bridesmaids dresses but make it fun with a mariachi band and margarita bar. If you chose an exotic location like the Maldives or coastal Australia, you could have a brief, beachy ceremony but host a sit-down, multi-course dinner reception.
What’s more, travel weddings can take place at any point of the year. Typically, the “busy season” for weddings is May to September – when many regions around the U.S. are experiencing mild temperatures, taking away the stress of traveling in inclement weather and offering better chances of a bright, sunny wedding day.
But the flexibility of a travel wedding (and the variance in climate, etc.) makes them a viable option year-round. Couples can plan a weekend getaway in the Bahamas or a wintery wonderland at a Rocky Mountain resort in off-peak months that promise a bit more privacy and availability.
Who Should Have a Travel Wedding?
The beauty of travel weddings is that they can be for anyone! Whether you and your partner are jetsetters or homebodies, adventurers or professional loungers, foodies or history buffs, a travel wedding can perfectly reflect your backgrounds, personal interests, and journey as a couple.
Your travel wedding could happen just one state away or across the globe. You might invite only your closest friends and family, or involve a wide circle to make it a party. Your wedding could happen over a long weekend or a ten-day extravaganza – or anywhere in between.
The finances of a travel wedding vary, too: some couples end up spending less or as much as they would on a local wedding. Others choose to spend more in order to offer their guests a true getaway experience or to roll their honeymoon into the same trip.
The planning element of a travel wedding might feel like an inhibitor – but it shouldn’t! Read on to hear how we can take the stress off your shoulders and ensure you have the day of your dreams, no matter where in the world you’ll be.
How Can I Plan a Travel Wedding?
If you were prepared to juggle the logistics of a traditional wedding, a travel wedding won’t be as intimidating or complicated as you might think – especially if you call in the professionals. Not to gloat, but speciality advisors like us are experts in both the travel and wedding planning processes. We’ve truly “seen it all before,” making us the perfect resource in hosting a travel wedding. For years, we’ve helped couples get hitched all over the world, navigating marriage license questions, flight logistics, language barriers – even a global pandemic.
Remember, many couples who start out envisioning a traditional wedding opt for a travel option when they look into its unique benefits. Just because you hadn’t thought of a travel wedding before doesn’t mean it wouldn’t be a perfect option!
If you’re ready to learn more about how we can partner with you to curate the perfect travel wedding experience, just drop us a line by clicking the “inquire” button below!
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.
