Is a destination wedding right for you? Why we chose one.

Originally published in 2019. This post was revised and updated in March 2025.

I remember standing in the middle of the room and smiling. I’d stopped for a moment to take everything in — and it was perfect.

The log-framed room was warm and softly lit from the antler chandeliers. A stone fireplace flickered off to the side. Low candles glowed on the long tables, where greenery and pinecones ran down the centre. Outside, snow was still falling — heavily.

Our friends and family – from Australia and the United States – were dancing and laughing together. I felt surrounded by happiness and love.

This was why we chose a destination wedding.

Why choose a destination wedding?

A destination wedding isn’t the right choice for everyone. But if you love to travel, it can make your day even more meaningful and memorable.

That said, it’s not without trade-offs.

You love to travel

If the thought of travel stresses you out, stop here. Weddings are already a lot to plan — don’t add the potential for airport delays and travel logistics to the list.

But if you love to travel, a destination wedding is a chance to tick a new place off your list or include a meaningful location in your day.

For us, that meant the Colorado Rockies. We love skiing, mountain towns and snow, so getting married at a Colorado ski resort gave us another excuse to visit somewhere we love — and to share that experience with our guests.

For many of our friends and family, it was their first time doing snow-based activities, walking through a resort village, riding a gondola or seeing snow. These are all things we think are worth travelling for.

My brother and sister-in-law also had a destination wedding — and now they have a place they want to return to for a future anniversary (or few).

It adds meaning

Let’s be honest — if weddings were only about the legal bit, we’d all just sign a form at the courthouse and call it a day.

They’re about meaning. Symbolism. And yes, location can be part of that.

We chose Colorado because it’s where we met and where my husband proposed. It felt right to start our next chapter where our story began.

My brother and sister-in-law, on the other hand, chose to get married in Florida — because that’s where all their grandparents lived. It was important to them to have their grandparents, who were all in their 90s, at their wedding, even if it meant travelling across the country.

It makes your day memorable

We come from two different countries. No matter where we got married, some of our guests were going to have to travel. We wanted the destination to feel worth the trip. We didn’t want to end up in a generic venue that could be anywhere.

So, we got married outside on a mountaintop in winter and had the reception in a log cabin. And it snowed — heavily — during the ceremony.

Multiple people told me it was one of the most memorable weddings they’d ever attended. That comment meant a lot. It confirmed that choosing a location we loved made the whole event feel more personal and unique.

Trade-Offs of a Destination Wedding

A longer planning period

Planning a wedding takes time — and more so if it’s overseas.

We were dealing with a major time difference, so most of our communication with the venue and suppliers happened over email. That meant slower responses and more back-and-forth than if we’d been able to meet in person.

We also needed to give guests time to plan and save. We sent our Save the Dates 18 months in advance. A bit early, sure — but it gave our Australian guests time to prepare for an international trip.

Fewer people will come

Every wedding has a few people who can’t make it. But that number goes up when it’s a destination.

Even with early notice, people’s circumstances change, they might not want to travel or they might not be able to afford it. And that’s OK. It’s part of the deal, and it’s important to respect those decisions.

It may cost more

Destination weddings can fit different budgets, but if you’re heading overseas, remember:

1. You’re planning a wedding and a trip.
2. Currency fluctuations happen — and may increase your costs unexpectedly.

If you’re comfortable with the trade-offs, a destination wedding can be an incredible experience. We were lucky — and ended up with the wedding of our dreams.