Destination Weddings

[_Q_]

The title is fairly self explanatory.

The fiance and I have been throwing the idea around. Who has done it? Any dos and don'ts? Any recommendations? And most importantly, how much did it cost?

[Hugh Jahrmes]

If im your friend, im not going

It's pissed a lot of people off, but I've skipped 5-6 already so I can't exactly start going now

[_Q_]

Originally Posted by Hugh Jahrmes

If im your friend, im not going

It's pissed a lot of people off, but I've skipped 5-6 already so I can't exactly start going now

I've been invited to 3 as well, and have declined to go. I get where you're coming from, but to me that's one one the things that makes it attractive for me. I'd be completely fine with only 4 people showing up to this thing.

[BlackArcher101]

Originally Posted by _Q_

I've been invited to 3 as well, and have declined to go. I get where you're coming from, but to me that's one one the things that makes it attractive for me. I'd be completely fine with only 4 people showing up to this thing.

Then why not just elope?

[blueski]

And you won't get as many presents!

[shogged]

I went to the one I was invited too and it was so awesome. The resort did everything and we all just hung out and enjoyed the beautiful scenery and the company. About 50 people managed to make the trip.

I think weddings are great no matter what you do, but what really makes it great is the company you keep.

If price is going to be a barrier for the people you want to enjoy your wedding with, then keeping it local is your best choice. If those you love can afford it, then why not get married in paradise?

and as for cost, I can't speak to what the wedding itself cost, but my cost as a guest was $2200.

[photon]

Originally Posted by BlackArcher101

Then why not just elope?

We did this and it was great. Got married in Jamaica, then when we got back had a reception with the family and friends.

[albertGQ]

Originally Posted by photon

We did this and it was great. Got married in Jamaica, then when we got back had a reception with the family and friends.

Then why not just get married in town since you had the reception with your family and friends and then go to Jamacia for your honeymoon?

[Johnny199r]

Originally Posted by albertGQ

Then why not just get married in town since you had the reception with your family and friends and then go to Jamacia for your honeymoon?

Then why not just stay common law, go for a trip to Jamaica sometime and spend more time with your friends and family in town?

[red sky]

I'll jump in. I got married in Mexico in 2010. Technically we got married in Calgary as my wife had a particular date to celebrate our marriage in Mexico which fell on a Sunday which meant we legally couldnt be married there. Long story short, it was amazing. We had our close friends and family attend and although not all could make it, it was intimate and relatively stress free. We hosted a celebration back in Calgary st the bridgelsnd community center for about $1500 all in and that was a great compromise. If I could do it again I wouldn't change a thing.

[_Q_]

Originally Posted by red sky

I'll jump in. I got married in Mexico in 2010. Technically we got married in Calgary as my wife had a particular date to celebrate our marriage in Mexico which fell on a Sunday which meant we legally couldnt be married there. Long story short, it was amazing. We had our close friends and family attend and although not all could make it, it was intimate and relatively stress free. We hosted a celebration back in Calgary st the bridgelsnd community center for about $1500 all in and that was a great compromise. If I could do it again I wouldn't change a thing.

If you don't mind me asking. How much was the wedding in Mexico and for how many people?

[btimbit]

A friend of mine was contemplating this recently, and instead they did a wedding locally and then did sort of group honeymoon. Best of both worlds imo

[mikephoen]

The best weddings I've ever been to have been destination weddings.

[Reaper]

My wife and I got married for $2500 which included our wedding bands. The thought of spending almost that much to attend a wedding per person makes me cringe. I'm so happy I married a pragmatic woman/unicorn.

[Two Fivenagame]

As a guy - Destination wedding %100 of the time. Think about ALL the BS that people have to endure for a local wedding. Someone has to set up, decorate, entertain, drive grandma, pick up flowers, where is the cake etc etc.

Destination weddings are soooooo simple because they do thousands of weddings in a year and they know what they are doing. You'll be faced with questions like "Honey, do you like the square cake or the round cake? Do you want Chocolate or Vanilla?" You can easily plan your wedding in one night.

No stress.

No one else has a job to do. Everyone can kick their feet up and have a great time.

The flight down with your buddies getting loaded is like being on a school field trip....with booze.

Local wedding venues will shut the party down by midnight. Destination wedding - the party goes ALL night.


Seriously, having a local wedding is a dick move. At least with the destination wedding, all the people who don't really give a #### can just say "sorry man, we can't afford it".

[Ironhorse]

Originally Posted by Two Fivenagame

Seriously, having a destination wedding is a dick move.

Fixed your post. If I'm required to lay out $2200 (perhaps x2) to attend your wedding and be your friend, then I guess we're not friends anymore.

Have your wedding local, and spend the money on a nice honeymoon instead - just the two of you. Destination weddings, with the whole entourage and gong show, have to be one of the most narcissistic things I've seen the past decade. It's no longer about joining two families together, its all about "look at me, look at me". Never mind that half the family can't afford to go, and therefore miss the wedding of their cousin / niece / nephew / aunt / uncle.

The only way I would approve of a destination wedding is if the bride and groom pay everyone's way.

[Two Fivenagame]

Originally Posted by Ironhorse

Fixed your post. If I'm required to lay out $2200 (perhaps x2) to attend your wedding and be your friend, then I guess we're not friends anymore.

Have your wedding local, and spend the money on a nice honeymoon instead - just the two of you. Destination weddings, with the whole entourage and gong show, have to be one of the most narcissistic things I've seen the past decade. It's no longer about joining two families together, its all about "look at me, look at me". Never mind that half the family can't afford to go, and therefore miss the wedding of their cousin / niece / nephew / aunt / uncle.

The only way I would approve of a destination wedding is if the bride and groom pay everyone's way.

Another bonus to having a destination wedding. Friends worth keeping will say they can't make it but still want to be your friend.

[getbak]

Whenever I think of destination weddings, I remember the episode of Scrubs where the Janitor invites everyone at the hospital to his wedding in the Bahamas. He doesn't expect anyone to show up and just wants people to decline and give him gifts. Much to his chagrin, everyone accepts the invitation and he has to hastily throw together a wedding.

“I invited you to a wedding in a foreign country on three days' notice. You weren't supposed to come! I just wanted the gifts.”— Janitor

[Fuzz]

We went to Mexico, ended up just being close family. A word of advice, don't move locations or dates for people who say they would come if it was on certain dates(I'm looking at you, teachers). It was nice anyway, because there is no hassle. Someone takes care of basically everything, photographers are cheaper... I think all in we paid under $2500 (not including hotel and flight).

When we got back, he had a backyard BBQ, even with free booze it was around $1000.
As long as you don't have expectations that people MUST come and you offer a part when you come back(if you don't have a lot of people coming) then I think it keeps everyone happy.

I personally just couldn't have done a big wedding. I'm not built for that kind of thing!
My brother and cousin both did destination weddings and there were a lot more people, it was a good time as well. Really gives you time to hang out with family/friends you haven't seen in awhile.

Oh, I'd highly recommend doing the wedding on the second or 3rd day, get it and the stress out of the way. Makes the rest of the trip more enjoyable for everyone.

[CliffFletcher]

Glad nobody had these things back when my friends and family were getting married. Though none of my friends when I was 29 could have afforded to go anyway.