So you got engaged. Congrats! Now you’re sitting there thinking, “Do we really want 200 people watching us cry in a church hall, or do we want to say our vows on a beach in Tuscany with the people who actually matter?” If that second option got your heart racing a little, you’re probably in the right place.
Destination weddings are no longer a “rich celebrity” thing. They’ve gone mainstream — and for very good reason.
What Exactly Is a Destination Wedding?
A destination wedding is a ceremony held outside the couple’s hometown, where travel is required for most guests. It’s not just about getting married abroad. Many destination weddings happen domestically — in a different state, a mountain resort, or a vineyard a few hours from home.
According to The Knot’s 2025 Real Weddings Study, which surveyed nearly 17,000 recently married couples, around 18% of couples in 2024 hosted a destination wedding. That’s nearly 1 in 5 couples choosing an experience over a venue hall.
The real definition? A destination wedding is wherever you decide “this is worth the flight.”
Why Are Destination Weddings So Popular Right Now?
Here’s the honest answer: people are tired of forgettable weddings.
The rubber chicken dinner. The 6-hour reception. The aunt you barely know crying through the speeches. Nobody wants that anymore — including, honestly, the aunt.
Destination weddings flip the entire experience. Instead of a single-day event, you get multiple days of celebration. You get quality time with your closest people. You get a backdrop that no local banquet hall can compete with.
The destination wedding market reached $36.49 billion in 2024, and it is expected to grow to $137.16 billion by 2029, according to Research & Markets. That’s not a trend. That’s a shift.
Approximately 350,000 destination weddings happen every year, representing about 25% of all weddings in the US. Think about that. One in four American couples is already doing this.
How Much Does a Destination Wedding Actually Cost?
Let’s talk numbers, because this is where most couples either get excited or immediately Google “courthouse weddings near me.”
A destination wedding usually costs between $39,000 and $41,000, while a local wedding in the United States will average around $36,000 in 2025. Yes, destination weddings can cost slightly more overall. But here’s the part that surprises most people — the guest list shrinks dramatically.
The average number of guests at a destination wedding is 50. Compare that to the typical American wedding average of 115 guests, and suddenly, your per-head catering costs look very different.
The average destination wedding package price in 2024 was $6,550, up from $5,500 in 2023. Packages typically range between $1,000 and $20,000. Many all-inclusive resorts — especially in Mexico and the Caribbean — bundle venue, catering, flowers, and even cake into one price. That’s a deal, not a trap.
A word of warning though: venue is almost always the biggest cost. In France, wedding venues start from €11,000 alone, with food and beverages, a planner, florals, photography, and videography adding substantially on top. Know your destination before you set your budget.
The Most Popular Destination Wedding Locations in 2025
Where are couples actually going? The data is pretty clear.
Mexico remains the undisputed champion. The Knot’s 2025 Real Weddings Study found that Mexico was the most popular international destination wedding location, with 34% of respondents saying they hosted their nuptials in the Mexico/Baja region. Cabo, Tulum, Puerto Vallarta, and the Riviera Maya dominate for a reason — stunning scenery, luxury resorts, and surprisingly manageable logistics.
Europe comes in second. Italy, France, Greece, and Portugal attract couples who want historic architecture, vineyard backdrops, and food that genuinely makes guests forget they had to book flights. Countries like Italy and France are particularly known for their romantic settings, with couples seeking classic architecture and rich cultural history.
Central and South America is growing fast. Costa Rica, along with hotspots like Belize, Brazil, and Argentina, accounted for 9% of international destination weddings in 2024.
Asia-Pacific is also rising. Popular destinations including Bali, Indonesia and Thailand offer couples luxury resorts where every aspect of the wedding is taken care of — from ceremony setup to post-wedding activities. Perfect for couples who want exotic without the stress.
Within the US, the most popular destination wedding states are Nevada, Florida, and California — with Hawaii rounding things out for couples who want the tropical feel without an international passport.
How Long Does It Take to Plan a Destination Wedding?
Short answer: longer than you think.
Most couples and planners recommend 12 to 18 months for a smooth destination wedding planning process. This gives time to book venues, secure vendors, and complete legal paperwork. It is also possible to plan in 6 to 9 months if you keep the guest list small and choose a destination with simple requirements.
The average planning timeline for a destination wedding is 9 to 12 months.
Here’s the thing nobody tells you upfront: the planning timeline isn’t just for you. Your guests need time too. They need to request time off work, book flights before prices go astronomical, and arrange childcare. Sending save-the-dates 10 to 12 months in advance is not overkill — it’s common courtesy.
Key Things to Sort Out Before You Book Anything
Before you start pinning wedding venues on Pinterest, there are a few practical boxes to tick.
Legal requirements vary by country. Getting legally married in another country isn’t always straightforward. Different countries require different documents — some want blood tests, some want translated birth certificates, some want you to file paperwork months in advance. Many couples choose to have a legal ceremony at home beforehand and treat the destination ceremony as the main celebration. Both approaches are completely valid.
Hire a local wedding planner. This is genuinely non-negotiable for international destination weddings. A local planner knows the vendors, speaks the language, understands permit requirements, and has relationships that you simply cannot build from abroad. Add a wedding planner to help coordinate suppliers and venues in the local language, and couples can expect to pay an additional €4,959 in Europe — but the stress it saves is worth every cent.
All-inclusive packages are your friend. Venues that offer all-inclusive packages or partnerships with local vendors can simplify planning and cut costs significantly. Always check what’s bundled before you start pricing things individually.
Think about your guests. They’re spending real money to celebrate with you. Guests spend, on average, $1,400 on accommodation at a destination wedding. Help them out where you can — negotiate hotel room blocks, share flight deal alerts, and give them a detailed information guide well in advance.
The Sustainability Shift in Destination Weddings
This one is worth talking about because it’s changing how couples plan.
More than 50% of couples planning destination weddings are now prioritising sustainability. That’s a majority. Couples are thinking about carbon footprint, local sourcing, minimal waste, and working with vendors who share those values.
This doesn’t mean you can’t have flowers — it means you choose flowers grown locally rather than flown in from across the world. It means you choose caterers who source ingredients regionally. It means you think about eco-friendly decor and avoid single-use plastics.
The good news? Sustainable choices often end up being more affordable and more authentic to the destination. A bouquet of wildflowers grown in the Tuscan hills is more beautiful than imported flowers anyway.
What Guests Actually Think About Destination Weddings
Here’s a truth some couples stress about: not everyone will come.
That’s okay. It’s expected. And honestly, the people who do show up? They really want to be there. That changes the whole energy of the day.
Instead of one rushed night, you get multiple days of celebration. Destination weddings give you real time to connect with your guests — whether that’s a cooking class in Tuscany, wine tasting in Napa, or snorkeling trips in Hawaii.
The wedding becomes a shared travel experience. Your guests aren’t just attending your ceremony — they’re going on a trip together. Some of them will form friendships that last long after the weekend ends. That’s something a Saturday night reception rarely produces.
Quick Planning Checklist for a Destination Wedding
If you’re just starting out, here’s a practical starting framework:
- 12–18 months out: Choose your destination, set your budget, hire a local planner, and begin venue research
- 12 months out: Book your venue, send save-the-dates, and negotiate hotel room blocks for guests
- 9–10 months out: Book vendors (photographer, caterer, florist, music), research legal requirements
- 6 months out: Send formal invitations, confirm travel logistics, sort your wedding attire
- 3 months out: Final vendor confirmations, create a detailed weekend itinerary for guests
- 1 month out: Reconfirm everything, prepare legal documents, and give yourself permission to breathe
Always create a budget early that includes travel costs, and set realistic expectations based on your destination. That advice seems obvious but it’s where most couples underplan.
Is a Destination Wedding Right for You?
Here’s the real question, stripped of all the noise: do you want a wedding day, or do you want a wedding experience?
If you want everyone you’ve ever met in the same room, a traditional wedding makes sense. If you want your closest people, a stunning location, and memories that feel like a highlight reel — a destination wedding is worth every bit of the planning work.
The destination wedding market is growing at 14.9% year on year, and more couples are choosing this path every single year. The logistics are more manageable than they’ve ever been, the venues are more diverse, and the industry has matured significantly to support couples planning from abroad.
The biggest mistake you can make is overthinking it. Pick a place that makes you both excited. Work with professionals who know that location. Give your guests enough notice. And then show up and enjoy it.
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