Destination vs Elopement vs Traditional

spunkygirl27

So... here's a quick jist of the situation. FI proposed awhile ago, but our financial situation has been rocky, so wedding plans have been on hold for a bit now. I finally just said that thinking of the old tradition of the bride's family paying for it I could use money from my trust that I inheirited when my dad passed away for a good portion of it & save up for the rest. I'm born & raised in Florida, but now living in Mass. We don't have a HUGE circle of friends & our families are dwindling (his mom passed away last June, my mom two Sept's ago & my dad in 2000.) As of recently w/one old friend getting married in Vegas (a nice planned wedding not a spur of the moment) & a coworker getting married in the Bahamas I've been thinking maybe that may be the way to go. Kind of new to thinking about the concept. Ideas, thoughts, tips? TIA Just wanted to know what the deciding factors were for you on destination vs traditional?

[Deleted User]

TIA, It all comes up to what is special to you as a couple. I am having a destination wedding in PR, since both of our families are from there. It is not easy playing from far, but I believe it is worth it for us since the location is special for us. Since the currency of PR and USA is the same we are not really saving in that sense, but they say less people will go so we will save there. Since you said that you have been engaged awhile and have not gotten married yet, I don't believe elpoement is what you really want or you would of had gotten married arleady. Traditional is the way to go if you are a control freak and want to have a hands on approach, planning a destination wedding my be to much. It all depends on the type of person you are. An alternative is to look into the all inclusive resorts for a destination wedding that will do everything for you, eg Sandals, Beaches, Mexico and Dominican Republic has many as well. This is great for your budget and family and friends because everything is included in their stay so you can have a ceremony on the beach of the resort and your dinners are already paid for so you can ask for the resort to make a special reservation that will hold your friends for dinner and then you can go dancing somewhere. My friends sister just got married on a cruise in June due to the budget and it worked out great since everything was included. She had the cremony, then had a reservation for all her guest at one of the restuarants and cut a small cake. After they went to the club on the ship and enjoyed. She did treat all her guest to an excursion at one of the ports. As a thank you and she also gave the nice welcome bagsand favors Hope this helps. mimiroy

sweetestlife28

deciding factors for us were that we didn't want a big wedding and wanted to get married outside on a beach. we have semi-big families and a large group of friends, so going away is def. a cost saver for us. i think in your case with a small group to attend, , a dw is a good option to consider -- you save money, have your closest people around and the planning is a bit easier. its up to what you want but for me, i just couldn't see myself going the traditional route. whatever you decide- decide for you guys - not what anyone else wants!

AprilJT

I think it different for everyone.  I would in no way want a big church wedding.  I would HATE it, however there are people that hate what I'm doing.  To each his own.  The deciding factors for us were a combination of things.  We wanted a small simple ceremony.  We have been together for almost 7 years and most people consider us married anyway.  We bought a house together, we have a child, etc.  But we wanted this day for ourselves and we wanted it to be about us not about a big production.  I think my fiance would have been content to elope but my family would have killed me and truth be told I want them there.  We also knew that destination was going to be a huge factor.  My family lives in Wyoming his is in Pittsburgh and we have spent the last year moving around the country.  We knew someone was going to have to travel no matter what, so why not everyone?  We chose Jamiaca due to price but also because my fi wanted a beach and he loves it there.  I'm very excited about our choice because its going to be a week long celebration.  Its not just about a wedding.  Plus I'm getting to spend a week with my family who lives across the country.