by Danielle Andrews, President and Co-founder of The Wedding Planners Institute of Canada Inc.
Destination weddings may have been put on pause the last two years, but they’re back with a vengeance! From mini-elopements to grand cross-border affairs, a couple saying “I Do” with their friends and family in a stunning locale is more popular than ever. This is due to the travel-starved masses looking for an excuse to celebrate and get away.
As Destination Wedding Professionals, we always need to be on top of what is happening. Let’s take a look at some of the hottest trends that we’re going to be seeing in destination weddings for 2022 and beyond.
1. Micro Weddings
Weddings can get really big, really fast. By paring down the guest list to the couple’s absolute nearest and dearest, they can keep the affair intimate, low-key, and all about them and their love. Bonus: The fewer people, the bigger the budget for décor, food and entertainment.
2. Experiences over Trinkets
We’ve all seen the baskets of flip-flops, the monogrammed drink umbrellas, and the like. Couples are saying no to these favors at an increasing rate and opting instead for experiences that their family and wedding party can enjoy together. Activities like a brunch boat ride, group dance lessons, or beachfront yoga sessions all give guests (and the couple) memories that will last far longer than flip-flops.
3. Private Venues
While all-inclusive resorts still tend to rule when it comes to destination weddings, more couples are choosing to take over private villas or homes, or even exclusively buy out a smaller resort for their use. Providing intimacy, safety, and a feeling of exclusivity, a private venue also ensures that the attention and service will solely be focused on the couple and their guests, and no one else.
4. Elopements
Elopements took off in a big way during Covid, but have yet to die down, with many couples opting to take the family drama out of the equation and just going somewhere stunning and having a completely unique and over-the-top experience. Then sharing the photos and video after. 😉
5. Small but Spectacular
Forget inviting 200 people to Cancun. Think 35 people jetting off to Mykonos instead. Couples are opting to combine a few trends (micro-weddings, high-end luxury, experiential travel) into one, and orchestrating fabulous, over-the-top wedding affairs that are equal parts deluxe getaway and destination wedding.
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