Key Takeaways:
- It is defined by travel needs: A destination wedding happens when the location is the main attraction and requires about 80% of your guests to book accommodation. This means the wedding can be international or just a few hours away from home.
- It is a multi-day experience: These events usually turn into a three-day reunion. You should plan to host a welcome party on the first day, the ceremony on the second, and a farewell brunch on the third.
- Costs are structured differently: A destination wedding is not necessarily cheaper than a local one. While you often have a smaller guest list, you will likely spend more per person to cover the cost of multiple events.
There is confusion about the exact definition of a destination wedding. You might wonder, “What’s a destination wedding,” compared to just getting married in a different city. Or you might ask, “What are destination weddings?” if you just drive two hours upstate.
We define it by intent. If you choose a spot because it offers a specific vacation vibe, and you ask your guests to join you on that journey, it is a destination wedding.
This guide breaks down the meaning of destination wedding planning in the real world.
Quick Links:
- Destination Wedding Spectrum Overview
- Destination Wedding Types On The Spectrum
- Destination Wedding Styles & Locations
- Destination Wedding Cost & Pros And Cons
- Destination Wedding Planning Next Steps
- Start the Journey Here
- FAQ
Destination Wedding Spectrum Overview
Most people think a destination for wedding events must be international. That is false.
In planner terms, what is considered a destination wedding comes down to logistics. If 80% of your guest list needs a hotel room, you are planning a destination event. The location serves as a backdrop for a multi-day experience rather than a single evening party.
Copyright © Photo by Dolce Vita Makers
These destination wedding locations range from domestic vineyards to foreign beaches.
How do destination weddings work? You plan a travel wedding that usually spans three days, with a welcome party on Friday. The ceremony is on Saturday. A farewell brunch on Sunday. This structure turns a wedding into a reunion.
Below is the spectrum. Domestic destination wedding options sit on one end. An international destination wedding sits on the other. Find where you land.
Pro Tip:
- Launch your wedding website immediately. Because guests need to request time off and book flights, they require the specific dates and location details 6–8 months earlier than they would for a local wedding.
Destination Wedding Types On The Spectrum
We categorize these into ten levels. Levels 1–2 are “almost destination” weddings. Levels 3–10 are the types of destination weddings we officially classify.
See which level matches your vision.
Level 1: Local Wedding With Light Travel
You pick a venue an hour or two from home. Some guests drive back the same night. Others book a hotel for safety or comfort.
Copyright © Photo by Dolce Vita Makers
We don’t typically group this under the full-destination-wedding meaning. It is a local wedding with a commute. However, it introduces the concept of travel. A destination wedding is usually considered when the drive home is impossible.
Level 2: Drive-To Wedding Weekend
This is the “weekender.” You choose a spot 2–4 hours away, perhaps a mountain lodge or a lakeside resort.
Guests are forced to stay at least one night. This shifts the dynamic. It feels like a destination wedding weekend because everyone is “stuck” together in a good way. The destination wedding guest experience centers on the road trip and the hotel bar afterparty.
Level 3: In-State Destination Wedding
This is very common for our clients. A destination wedding in California often involves an LA couple heading to wine country.
Choose a Santa Barbara destination wedding or a coastal retreat in Big Sur. Guests travel and stay 1–2 nights. The scenery is the guest of honor. This fits the strict definition of a destination wedding. You are asking people to take time off to be in a specific, beautiful place.
Copyright © Photo by Dolce Vita Makers
For those keeping the guest list tight in these scenic spots, read our guide on small wedding ideas for intimate destination weddings.
Level 4: Cross-Country Destination Wedding
This involves a flight. An East Coast couple might want a sunny Malibu destination wedding.
Most guests fly in on Thursday or Friday. It is a full commitment. Destination wedding locations like these require detailed logistics. A destination wedding in Los Angeles for New Yorkers is a massive operational task, but the payoff is an entirely different climate and vibe.
If you are still scouting locations for the question itself, check out the best places to propose in Los Angeles.
Pro Tip:
- Never check your wedding attire. Always carry your gown or suit on the plane in a garment bag to ensure it arrives safely with you, regardless of airline luggage mishaps.
Level 5: International Wedding Close To Home
These are the accessible international wedding spots. Think Cabo, Tulum, or Jamaica.
Copyright © Photo by Dolce Vita Makers
Flights are short (3–5 hours). The infrastructure for international destination weddings is robust. Resorts often handle the catering and furniture. The guest list shrinks naturally due to passport requirements, but the party usually lasts 3–4 days.
Level 6: Bucket List Destination Wedding Abroad
This is the dream trip. Lake Como. Santorini. The South of France.
This is a high-effort event. Many couples opt for a destination marriage where the legal paperwork is done quietly at home. The destination wedding ceremony abroad is symbolic. It removes the stress of foreign bureaucracy. The focus is entirely on the dinner, the view, and the party.
Level 7: Micro Destination Wedding Or Elopement
You ditch the 150-person guest list. You bring 10 favorite people to a villa in Tuscany or a beach in Bali.
Copyright © Photo by Dolce Vita Makers
This often merges with the honeymoon. The destination wedding guest experience is luxury-focused because you are paying for fewer people. The destination wedding weekend itinerary is flexible. You decide where to eat dinner that morning.
Level 8: Split Legal & Destination Ceremony
How does a destination wedding work when the laws are strict? You split it.
You get legally married at your local courthouse on a Tuesday. You fly to your destination for the wedding ceremony on Thursday. This is purely practical. It avoids blood tests, translations, and residency requirements in foreign countries.
Pro Tip:
- If you handle the legal paperwork at home, consider keeping that detail private until later. Treating the destination ceremony as the “real” wedding helps maintain the emotional gravity of the vows for your guests.
Level 9: Destination-Style Wedding In Your City
You live in a major destination city. You host a destination wedding in Los Angeles, but you treat it like a vacation for your guests flying in.
Copyright © Photo by Dolce Vita Makers
You plan a complete destination wedding weekend. You host a rooftop welcome party. You rent buses for a coastal tour. It has the energy of an LA destination wedding without you needing to pack a suitcase.
To elevate the welcome event, consider luxury picnic experiences for welcome parties.
Level 10: Hybrid Destination Wedding & Home Reception
You want the intimacy of a destination wedding and the inclusion of a local party.
You host a small ceremony in Hawaii (Levels 4–7). You come back and throw a casual reception for 200 people at home. This balances the pros and cons of destination weddings. You get the private vows in a stunning place, and your distant cousins still get to celebrate with you later.
Destination Wedding Styles & Locations
Your style must match the geography. We tell clients to let the location dictate the decor.
Copyright © Photo by Dolce Vita Makers
- Coastal Romance: A Malibu destination wedding or Mexican beach needs flowy fabrics, dried palms, and wind-resistant hair.
- Vineyard Elegance: A Santa Barbara destination wedding leans into earth tones, wood tables, and greenery.
- Desert Chic: A Palm Springs destination wedding calls for bold colors, mid-century modern furniture, and succulents.
- Urban Chic: An LA destination wedding on a rooftop demands sleek lines, black-and-white palettes, and architectural florals.
Types of destination weddings fail when you try to force a ballroom aesthetic onto a sandy beach. Trust the destination wedding locations.
Once you pick the spot, photography is your next priority. Read our list of questions to ask your destination wedding photographer.
Pro Tip:
- Be hyper-specific about footwear on your invitations or website. Using clear phrases like “sand-friendly shoes” or “block heels only” saves your guests from struggling in the terrain.
Destination Wedding Cost & Pros And Cons
Money works differently here. The total cost of a destination wedding is not necessarily cheaper than a local one, but the spending shifts.
Destination wedding costs often involve a smaller guest count. However, the spend per guest is higher. You are hosting multiple events (a welcome dinner and a brunch) rather than just one.
Copyright © Photo by Dolce Vita Makers
Destination Wedding Pros and Cons:
- Pros: You get three days of quality time with guests. The photos are spectacular. The guest list naturally filters down to your closest people. It feels like a vacation.
- Cons: Logistics are more complex. Some VIP guests might not be able to travel due to health or money. Legal requirements can be a headache.
Recent market reports on the wedding industry show the destination sector is growing rapidly. Couples are prioritizing “unique experiences” over traditional banquet halls. While average costs hover near
35,000,35,000,40,000, depending on the region, luxury destination events easily scale past six figures due to travel logistics.
The destination wedding guest experience is the main investment. You are paying for their memories.
Budgeting for decor? Don’t forget the details. Check our bridal bouquet cost guide.
Pro Tip:
- When negotiating hotel room blocks, ask for a favorable “attrition rate” (usually 10-20%). This ensures you aren’t on the hook to pay for every single unbooked room if your guest count ends up slightly lower than expected.
Destination Wedding Planning Next Steps
You identified your level on the spectrum. Now you need to move.
- Draft the Guest List: Be realistic about who will travel.
- Shortlist Locations: Pick destination wedding locations that fit your vibe and your budget.
- Hire Help: If you are looking at Level 4 or higher, you need a professional.
Copyright © Photo by Dolce Vita Makers
A destination wedding planner is your boots on the ground. We manage time zones, language barriers, and vendor contracts. A destination wedding planner in Los Angeles can coordinate your local legal paperwork while managing your vendor team in Italy or Mexico. Destination wedding planning is 80% logistics and 20% design.
Ready to start? Explore our destination wedding planning services in Los Angeles.
Start the Journey Here
What is a destination wedding? It is a choice to make your marriage a journey.
Whether you choose a destination wedding in a neighboring state or a castle in Europe, the goal is the same. You are taking your favorite people out of their daily routine to celebrate your love.
Do not let the logistics scare you. Pick your level on the spectrum. Choose a place that means something to you.
If you are just starting the journey, we can help you pop the question before you plan the party.
Check out our Los Angeles proposal planning services.
FAQ
What is considered a destination wedding vs a local wedding?
The threshold is the travel requirement. If the majority of your guests must book flights or hotels to attend, and you chose the spot for its specific scenery, it fits the definition of a destination wedding.
How do destination weddings work for guests and travel?
How do destination weddings work best? You provide a clear schedule. Guests book their own travel, but you negotiate hotel blocks for lower rates. You guide them through the destination wedding guest experience.
What is the average cost of a destination wedding?
The destination wedding cost varies wildly. It can range from $10,000 for an elopement to $100,000+ for a luxury multi-day event. The cost of a destination wedding depends heavily on guest count.
Do we need a destination wedding planner, or can we DIY?
For international or complex domestic events, a destination wedding planner is essential. A destination wedding planner in Los Angeles ensures nothing gets lost in translation.
Why do I see spellings like ‘destinationwedding’ or ‘destination wedding’ online?
People type fast. You will see destination wedding, destination wedding, destination wedding, and even destination hochzeit in search bars. We know what you mean. The professional term is always destination wedding.
