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Destination Wedding Trends for a New Decade

destination-wedding-trends

You’ve thought long and hard about your wedding and your heart wants to travel to a destination venue. No matter where you want to go, there are endless venue options all over the world to explore. You’ll find yourself planning small details and making final decisions before you know it, but will your choices be modern or out of touch? Check out these 10 destination wedding trends for a new decade and make your upcoming nuptials the best day ever.

Find a Unique Venue

You can go to the beach anytime back home. A day on the road or a quick flight will take you to a sandy getaway, so why spend the majority of your budget and time on a destination that’s identical to one back home? Look for places you can’t experience anywhere else, like a wedding nestled in a leafy jungle. It’ll be worth your investment and prove to be different than any other travel experience you’ve had.

Save Social Media Photos

Wedding photographers are great, but they also add some hefty fees to your budget. Now, destination brides and grooms commonly skip this option and save the photos family and friends post on social media. This destination wedding trend will allow you to get more camera angles and pictures to choose from, without paying a dime.

Enjoy Pre-Wedding Celebrations

Everyone in your wedding will most likely arrive a day or two early to your destination venue. Make memories during that special time by enjoying fun pre-wedding celebrations. Go to a spa with your bridal party or find a local activity everyone will love, like snorkeling.

Book a Family-Friendly Resort

Your friends and family will appreciate staying in the same resort. You’ll have less travel hassle to worry about, especially for those attending with kids. Make a room block at a family-friendly place, so that everyone stays together, even if it isn’t the same location as your venue.

Mix Themed Drinks

Most destinations have a running theme that carries over into their local food and beverage industry. While you plan your reception, try travel-inspired cocktails using regionally popular recipes. If you’re in an icy wonderland, for instance, you can make a white Russian, a cold cocktail made with coffee liqueur.

Design Personalized Prints

No couple wants to get married in a place that doesn’t feel like it has their style. Make any room warmer and more welcoming when you and your future spouse design personalized wedding prints for backdrops, photo booths, and table runners. This destination wedding trend is sure to add a splash of color and personality to any venue.

Scout on Vacation

It isn’t smart to choose a venue without seeing it in person, so use the opportunity to go on vacation and scout out locations you like. It’s the perfect combination of work and relaxation.

Hire Local Performers

You’ll find so much to experience in a new destination and many brides and grooms don’t see as much as they want before they have to go home. Bring the culture to you when you hire local performers. They can dance at your wedding or entertain in other ways, so that everyone sees something new.

Unplug for Your Destination Wedding

You’re investing your time and money into your wedding, so be present in every moment. Many brides now choose to unplug for their trip and leave social media behind. Turn off your cell’s notifications and opt to leave the charger at home. You’ll get plenty of pictures from everyone else and bask in the love surrounding you while you’re away from home.

Use Eco-Friendly Suppliers

Support the local economy beyond the tourism industry by using eco-friendly, local suppliers. For your big exit, toss birdseed that native species will enjoy. Stock your reception with local food and artistry. Research the area to see what’s available and give back to the place where your dreams will come true.

Consider what you want your wedding to look like and what kind of travel experience you desire. These destination wedding trends may just help you plan the ultimate ceremony you and your loved ones will never forget.

A Romantic Italian Villa Destination Wedding in Tuscany

by Gaby ·

It doesn’t get any dreamier than an Italian villa destination wedding! Lindsey and Brendan wed in romantic Tuscany, at the gorgeous Villa Medicea di Lilliano near Florence. Surrounded by family and friends, the pair said their “I do”s at an outdoor ceremony in the villa’s gardens, in a sweet grotto with a fountain backdrop. Afterwards, they enjoyed aperitifs on the terrace, with spectacular views of the Tuscan countryside and the vineyards and olive groves beyond. Guests were then treated to a delicious sit-down meal inside the villa, at a long table adorned with olive leaves, fragrant eucalyptus, and candlelight. The bride shared their story with us.

“I studied abroad in Florence and immediately fell in love with the old world charm of the beautiful city. While sitting on the steps outside of the Uffizi one Tuesday evening, while listening to an acoustic guitar street performance covering Simon and Garfunkel hits, I vividly recall thinking to myself that when I met the love of my life I would bring him here. Fast forward nine years, and my fiancé, Brendan, and I found ourselves discussing over a glass of wine at which vineyard in Virginia we should get married. The conversation quickly turned into ‘if we are going to do a Tuscan style wedding, why not do it in Tuscany?’ Villa Medicea di Lilliano quickly came up in our internet search and with the exquisite vistas and easy communication with the staff, it was a no-brainer for us to lock in this estate.”

“It was important to us not to do too much decoration, because we always felt that the surrounding area served all the beauty we’d require. We’ve always thought of Italian food as simple with few ingredients, but powerful flavor. It was important to translate this concept in our design. With the help of Franci’s Flowers, we were sold on the idea of simple white peonies with a few soft pink flowers thrown in for the other ‘ingredients’, if you will. We let the fashion take care of the powerful ‘burst of flavor’. The groomsmen wore a bold blue that popped, while the bridal party was in soft grey for balance. This all worked well with our Tuscan vista. Our guests wore some vivid dresses and the cloudy sky coincidentally put the finishing touches on the scene.”

“There are a couple memories that we play on repeat in our heads. The first, oddly enough, was the day before the wedding when we both visited the venue for the first time to do a walkthrough. We made our way through the estate landing in the garden where our ceremony was to be set up. We were able to take in the watercolor-like backdrop of Tuscany, just the two of us. While what our eyes saw felt very surreal, the joy that overcame us was palpable. The other highlight for us came during our dinner reception. Suddenly, the music stopped just after our first course and in walked the tenor, who broke out in a beautiful Italian song. This moment shocked all our guests and even caused many happy tears. And how can we not mention ALL of the food?!”

“We were highly appreciative of the La Torre Villas at Villa Medicea di Lilliano. Having our guests in one area where we could spend the entire weekend together topped off our unforgettable wedding experience. Additionally, the preferred vendors that we worked with were as good as it gets. Special thanks to Delizia Ricevimenti, Alma Project, Jules Photography, and Franci’s Flowers!”

Congratulations to the newlyweds!

Destination Wedding Photographer: Jules Bower

Wedding Vendors: Venue: Villa Medicea di Lilliano, Flowers and Decor: Franci’s Flowers Wedding Design, Catering: Delizia Ricevimenti, Music: Alma Project

What to Include in a Destination Wedding Budget

by Harmony ·

Weddings are complicated affairs that can require a lot of planning for a wonderful execution. Many people have an overarching number in mind for the cost of their wedding, but they aren’t sure what to consider when budgeting. There are a lot of items to keep in mind to stick to your budget. Having a destination wedding adds to that list. Here is a breakdown of what should be accounted for in your destination wedding budget from our friends at WalletJoy!

Common budget items for any wedding:

Marriage License: This is typically a nominal fee, but everything adds up!

Wedding Planner: To ensure your big day is exactly as you imagined, save space in the budget for a wedding planner, even if only on the day-of. A wedding planner is even more valuable service to book if you’re getting married out of the country!

Wedding Rings: Brides and grooms don’t forget your jewelry!

Attire and Fashion: This includes the wedding dress, a groom’s suit, any reception dress (if there’s a dress change), shoes, clutch, jewelry, and more!

Beauty: Once you’ve found your fashion, don’t forget to book hair, nails, and makeup for the bride and possibly other members of the wedding party (including moms too).

Food, Beverages + Wedding Cake: This includes the rehearsal dinner and wedding day (if you’re paying for both). The cost largely depends on the number of guests and what is served.

Flowers + Decor: Decor can vary dramatically in cost, depending on the size of your guest list and the scope of your design. Don’t forget your bouquets, boutonnieres, cake table decor, cocktail hour, and of course, the ceremony and reception details.

Invitations + Stationery: Your paper goods include escort cards, menus, itineraries, and thank you cards in addition to your invitation suite. You may also have a need for favor tags, place cards, bar and ceremony signage, table numbers, and more.

Music: You’ll want music for not just your dance moves, but your ceremony, cocktail, and dinner portion of the reception too.

Venue(s): This can be one of your biggest expenses – booking a venue for your ceremony and reception. Some locations will have bundled fees for the venue as well as food and drink. Be sure to ask how your venue handles pricing.

Photographer + Videographer: Don’t go down the aisle without ways to remember your day by.

Wedding Favors + Gifts: Show your appreciation and thank your guests!

Additional items to include a destination wedding budget:

Hotel Rooms: Don’t forget to book your stay! For a larger wedding, you may consider buying out a hotel and even picking up or subsidizing the cost of guest rooms, when budget allows for it.

Flights: Get yourself and your fiancé to the big day!

Baggage Fees: Consider all the gear you’re traveling with and the fact that you might have shipping and/or customs fees too.

Ground Transportation: If you’re moving your group from hotel to wedding venue or to different venues throughout the stay, consider hosting ground transportation for your group.

Rehearsal Dinner: It’s traditional to invite all guests to the rehearsal dinner at a destination wedding. That could be a bigger celebration than you expected!

Welcome Bags: Gift your guests a special welcome in their hotel rooms and get everyone excited when they arrive. This would usually include schedules and a welcome note, which would be additional paper products too.

Welcome Party: This is an optional way to start the celebration early when guests arrive to the destination.

Group Activities + Experiences: Another optional way to keep the celebration going and spend time with your guests is to host fun local activities (like a boat tour or sunset sail).

More information

Planning a wedding in another location may seem overwhelming. If you know what to consider for a destination wedding budget, it can be easier. Our friends at WalletJoy have many other great resources for planning wedding costs and to help you down the aisle.

For information on how to pay for a wedding, click here.

For information on hidden wedding costs, click here.

A Tropical Boho Destination Wedding Photo Shoot in Costa Rica

by Gaby ·

Costa Rica is such an amazing location choice for a destination wedding. This Central American paradise boasts a combination of rugged beauty and laid back hospitality that makes it the perfect destination for those with an adventurous, bohemian soul. Plus, with some breathtaking beach and jungle venues to choose from, it’s sure to wow you and your guests! This styled shoot takes the concepts of a boho destination wedding and adds a chic modern twist. The result is absolutely gorgeous! The Eventos Artesanos team shared their inspiration with us.

We really love the stark contrast of black, white, and earth tones with an emphasis on texture and lush florals. Our goal was to show the power and beauty of a dark palette in event design. This is really a divergence from what we have been seeing in our industry and our goal is always to show beauty in new and different ways.

The mix of lush tropical flowers in loose arrangements with more modern elements like marble and monochrome is a truly stylish take on destination wedding design. Perfect for a couple who loves a city chic aesthetic, but wants to combine it with a beachy boho destination wedding vibe!

Costa Rica is a chic place to wed and this styling is a perfect match for the destination bride looking to be fashion forward with their event design.

The shoot also included some fun honeymoon elements – love the monochrome popsicles!

Photo Shoot Vendors: Photography: Costa Vida Photography, Event Coordinator: Nosara Magica Weddings, Event Rentals and Floral Design: Eventos Artesanos, Venues: The Nomadic Hotel, The Guilded Iguana, Bohdi Tree Yoga Resort

Tying the Knot & Honeymooning in Japan

by Harmony ·

japan-honeymoons

Amidst the excitement of getting engaged to your sweetheart and starting to think about your dream wedding, are you also entertaining an incredible destination for the special day and your honeymoon? Well, if Japan has made any of your Top 5 lists, and even if it hasn’t, read on!

From the west coast of the United States, it’s a nine and half hour, direct flight to Narita International Airport, just outside of Tokyo. In other words, it’s about two magazines, three movies and maybe a quick catnap so you’re fresh when you land. Japan is all you’ve heard it to be and more. And with the country in planning stages to host the 2020 Olympics next year, it is an extremely appealing destination to visit right now: it’s easy to get around, signage is in Japanese and English, people go out of their way to be friendly and helpful, and crime is virtually nonexistent. A quick train ride from Narita leaves you in one of the bustling, mall-like stations in downtown Tokyo. We recommend booking seats for yourself and your sweetie on Japan’s famous “Bullet Train,” or shinkansen, which then travels 200 miles per hour and brings you to Kyoto in just 2 and a half hours.

honeymooning-in-japan

Surrounded by lush green mountains and steeped in history and culture, Kyoto is a romantic city you could easily spend a week exploring yet find yourself yearning for more time. For this trip to Kyoto though, the primary purpose is to tie the knot! Walk a couple minutes from Kyoto Station to Kyoto’s newest luxury hotel, The Thousand Kyoto. The Thousand offers unrivaled, high quality service and guests enjoy comfortable, minimalistic Zen-designed accommodations, world-class dining options and five star amenities. One of these amenities, for which you have arrived at The Thousand, is access to their on-site wedding chapel. In The Thousand Kyoto’s new wedding package, dubbed “Thousand Ways of Love,” the deluxe hotel makes it clear they support all love stories, regardless of who the couples are. The super inclusive package itself is thoughtfully put together to cover all the needs an engaged couple may have, effectively removing the stress out of planning a destination wedding. The Thousand Ways of Love wedding package includes a welcome refreshment upon arrival to the hotel, two nights of accommodations at The Thousand Kyoto with daily breakfast for two at either the western-style restaurant or the Japanese restaurant, traditional Japanese wedding attire for you both, a full wedding ceremony at the ethereal Komorebido Chapel in the hotel, along with a letter of congratulations from the Mayor of Kyoto, and of course a celebratory dinner for two at one of the exceptional restaurants within The Thousand Kyoto. To top it off and help couples get the most out of their experience and make their wedding complete, the wedding package also offers personal VIP assistance from the concierge to ensure every detail is perfect.

luxury-hotel-japan

After you’ve said your “I Do’s” and explored Kyoto, it’s time to head back to Tokyo and enjoy your honeymoon in style. Check into Tokyo’s historic five-star Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo nestled in a traditional Japanese Garden, and complete with views of a pagoda, sweet smelling flowers and brightly-colored koi in the pond. Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo is the perfect retreat from busy sightseeing, shopping and eating around Tokyo thanks to a newly established collaboration with the iconic L’Occitane brand, resulting in a deluxe spa on-site – the first of its kind in Japan. Yu, the Spa by L’Occitane touts itself as a “Provencal retreat meets Japanese hospitality.” This apt description extends to the menu of five luxurious facial/body treatments, all utilizing L’Occitane’s products with skin-nourishing botanical extracts and their original massage techniques. The Garden Secret Signature Treatment, which is only available at Yu, The Spa, was specifically created with inspiration from the hotel’s renowned garden and features different treatment products highlighting seasonal flowers. Pamper yourself with spa treatments as you should do on your honeymoon and then lounge by the all-weather pool and onsen (Japanese hot spring bath). When you build up an appetite, venture out to one of the nine on-site, top-notch dining spots at Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo. Craving authentic Japanese? Stop by Kinsui restaurant! In the mood for delicious Italian cuisine? Then Il Teatro with its garden views and Venetian chandeliers is for you. When you finally retreat to your sumptuous room, complete with luxurious furnishings and décor, high-end linens and L’Occitane toiletries, crawl into bed in a plush robe, watch a movie and order dessert room service. Tomorrow, the vibrant, exciting, historic, delicious city of Tokyo awaits, but until then, savor every moment at Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo. It is your honeymoon after all!