You've probably seen the photos. A couple standing on a white-sand beach in Tulum or maybe under a crumbling stone arch in Tuscany, looking like they didn't just spend six hours arguing with a flight attendant about garment bag storage. But strip away the Instagram filters and the drone shots, and you're left with a question that gets surprisingly complicated: what is a destination wedding when you actually have to plan one?
It isn't just "getting married somewhere else." Technically, if you live in New York and get married in New Jersey, you've traveled. But that’s not a destination wedding. The industry generally defines it as a wedding held at least 100 miles away from where the couple currently lives. Honestly, though, most people think of it as any ceremony that requires the majority of the guest list to book a hotel room and maybe dust off their passports.
It’s a massive shift in how we celebrate. According to market data from The Knot and Grand View Research, the destination wedding market is expected to keep swelling, reaching nearly $300 billion globally by the end of the decade. People are tired of the four-hour "chicken or fish" banquet hall routine. They want an experience. But that experience comes with a set of logistical headaches that would make a project manager quit on the spot.
Why the definition of "away" is changing
Back in the day, a destination wedding meant an elopement. You ran off to Vegas. You came back with a certificate and a hangover. Now, it's a multi-day festival. We’re talking welcome drinks on Thursday, a rehearsal catamaran cruise on Friday, the big day on Saturday, and a "we’re all hungover" brunch on Sunday.
It’s basically a vacation where you happen to get married.
One thing people get wrong is the cost. There is this persistent myth that destination weddings are cheaper because the guest list shrinks. While it's true that your B-list coworkers probably won't fly to Amalfi, the cost per head usually skyrockets. You aren't just paying for dinner. You're often subsidizing transportation, welcome bags, and specialized decor that has to be hauled up a mountain or onto a remote island.
The legal "gotchas" nobody mentions
So, you want to get married in France? Cool. Did you know you usually have to reside there for at least 40 days before the ceremony to make it legal?
Most couples don't actually get legally married at their destination. They do a "paperwork run" at the local courthouse in their hometown a week before they fly out. This is a crucial distinction. If you try to do the legal bit in a foreign country, you're looking at translated birth certificates, blood tests (looking at you, Mexico), and apostille stamps that take months to process.
I’ve seen couples realize three days before their flight that they don't have the right stamp. It’s a nightmare.
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- Mexico: Often requires chest X-rays and blood tests for foreign couples.
- Italy: Requires a Nulla Osta, which is a document stating there are no legal impediments to your marriage.
- Thailand: You’ll need to spend a few days in Bangkok at your embassy.
Basically, if you want the "real" certificate from the destination, prepare for a mountain of bureaucracy. If you just want the photos and the memories, get the legal stuff done at home and have a symbolic ceremony abroad.
The guest perspective (aka the "hidden" burden)
Let’s be real for a second. When you ask someone to attend a destination wedding, you aren't just asking for their Saturday evening. You’re asking for their PTO. You're asking for $1,200 in flights. You're asking them to stay at a resort they might not have chosen themselves.
This is where the drama starts.
The most successful destination weddings are the ones that prioritize guest comfort. If you pick a remote villa that requires a three-hour shuttle ride from the airport, your guests will be cranky by the time they get their first glass of Prosecco.
Expert Tip: Always provide a range of accommodation options. Sure, you're staying at the $800-a-night boutique hotel, but make sure there’s a reputable Airbnb or a Marriott ten minutes away for your cousin who’s still in grad school.
Logistics: The stuff that breaks
Flowers. Let’s talk about flowers. If you’re getting married on a Caribbean island in July, those peonies you saw on Pinterest are going to wilt in approximately fourteen minutes.
Planning a wedding at a distance means you lose a lot of control. You can't just pop over to the bakery to taste the cake. You’re relying on WhatsApp photos and "trust me" emails from a planner who might be operating on "island time."
Weather is the other big one. A beach wedding sounds dreamy until you realize the wind is blowing at 30 mph and nobody can hear your vows over the sound of the surf. Or the humidity makes your hair look like a Briard's after a bath.
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Always, always have a Plan B that isn't just "a tent." A tent in a tropical storm is just a very expensive kite.
Is it actually cheaper?
It depends. (I know, everyone hates that answer.)
If you do an all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana or Montego Bay, yeah, it can be significantly cheaper than a ballroom in Chicago. These resorts have "wedding factories." They do three a day. They have the chairs, the cake, and the officiant all bundled into a package.
But if you’re trying to do a bespoke "editorial" wedding in the South of France? You’re going to spend a fortune. Shipping items internationally is a logistical black hole. You'll find yourself paying $500 in customs fees for a box of personalized napkins.
What most people get wrong about "What is a destination wedding"
The biggest misconception is that it’s less work. People think, "Oh, the resort handles everything."
The resort handles their everything. They don't handle your Aunt Sarah's lost luggage, the bridesmaid who forgot her shoes, or the fact that the local DJ doesn't have the specific version of the song you want for your first dance.
You actually have to be more organized, not less. You’re essentially running a small travel agency for 50 to 100 people.
Where to go: 2026 Trends
We’re seeing a shift away from the "over-touristed" spots. People are moving away from the main drag of Tulum and looking toward places like:
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- Oaxaca, Mexico: Incredible food, deeply cultural, and less "spring break" than Cancun.
- The Azores, Portugal: Dramatic volcanic landscapes that look like Hawaii but are a shorter flight from the East Coast.
- Albania: The "Balkan Riviera" is exploding right now because it’s stunning and a fraction of the price of Croatia or Greece.
The "Should You Do It?" Checklist
Don't do a destination wedding if you are a perfectionist who needs to touch every linen before it goes on the table. You will have a nervous breakdown.
Do it if you value time spent with people over the "stuff" of a wedding. The best part of these trips isn't the ceremony; it's the late-night pool hangs and the random breakfasts with friends you haven't seen in years.
Actionable Steps for the "Just Started" Phase
If you’re sitting there with a ring on your finger and a tab open for "flights to Bali," do these three things before you book anything:
Check the Flight Routes. It doesn't matter how pretty the beach is. If it takes three layovers and 24 hours to get there, half your guest list will decline. Look for destinations with direct flights from the major hubs where your family lives.
Research the "Shoulder Season." Don't get married in the Caribbean in the middle of hurricane season (August–October) just because it’s cheap. Look for the sweet spot—like May in Italy or November in Mexico—where the weather is stable but the prices haven't hit the "festive season" peak.
Get the Paperwork Started Now. If you want a legal ceremony abroad, contact the local consulate today. Some countries require documents to be submitted six months in advance.
Hire a Local Planner. You need someone on the ground who speaks the language and knows which vendors actually show up on time. A "US-based" planner who just flies in for the weekend isn't the same. You need the person who has the cell phone number of the best florist in town.
Destination weddings are high-risk, high-reward. When they work, they are the best parties you’ll ever attend. When they don't, they're an expensive lesson in international logistics. Choose your location based on the vibe you want, but choose your plan based on the reality of travel.