Planning a destination wedding weekend is exciting.
It’s also one of the most stressful things you’ll ever do. Between flights, venues, guests and tiny details, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Here’s the good news:
Done properly, a destination wedding weekend is the best few days of your life. You’ll save money, bond with loved ones, and create lifelong memories.
Here’s what to know before you book a thing…
Here’s what’s inside:
- Why Destination Wedding Weekends Are Booming
- Picking The Perfect Location
- Planning The Outdoor Wedding Ceremony
- Budgeting For A Multi-Day Celebration
- Looking After Your Guests
Why Destination Wedding Weekends Are Booming
Destination weddings are having a massive moment.
Trade statistics indicate that approximately a quarter of all couples today tie the knot overseas. There are about 350,000 destination weddings taking place annually. That’s a lot of weddings. And the trend is only increasing.
Why? Because couples want more than one day. They want a whole weekend with the people they love most. A true weekend gives you time to slow down, really talk with your guests and enjoy every second instead of powering through one wild day.
There is also another reason this trend is taking off:
Smaller, more meaningful weddings.
The market is not slowing down. The European destination wedding market is expected to reach $27.3 billion by 2025. Couples love the model and vendors are lining up to provide it.
Picking The Perfect Location
The location sets the tone for everything.
Your venue impacts your budget, your guest list, your style, and even your dinner options. That’s why you must choose wisely.
Here are the main things to consider:
- Travel time: How far away will most of the guests be coming from? The farther they have to travel, the less likely they are to be able to make it.
- Legal requirements: Some countries have strict marriage paperwork that takes months.
- Weather: This is huge. You don’t want a monsoon on your big day.
- Onsite accommodation: Venues with rooms onsite make the weekend easier for everyone.
A perfect example of somewhere that meets all of the above criteria is Branxholm Park. Nestled in beautiful Scottish grounds with ample room for an outdoor wedding ceremony, it’s the sort of place where guests can stay, celebrate and really embrace the whole weekend.
Research your pick, but when deciding, visit it in person first. Pictures lie online. If not possible, request a real time, live video visit.
Bonus tip: Choose a venue with multiple ceremony sites. That way you have a backup plan in case of inclement weather.
Planning The Outdoor Wedding Ceremony
An outdoor wedding ceremony is the heart of a destination weekend.
And they’re beloved for a reason. The popularity of outdoor ceremonies increased from 57% in 2019 to 68% in 2020, and has remained elevated since. Picturesque gardens, natural light, open skies — the memories are priceless.
But planning an outdoor wedding ceremony comes with challenges. Here’s what to think about:
Weather Backup Plan
Always have one.
Seriously. Even the sunniest places have bad weather days. Ask your venue what they do if it rains. Do they have a marquee? Indoor space? Find out before you sign a contract.
Sound & Acoustics
Outdoor spaces swallow sound.
If you don’t have adequate mics and speakers, people at the back won’t hear a word of your vows. Make sure to hire a sound person or that your venue provides one.
Shade & Seating
If you’re getting married in summer, shade is a must. Provide:
- Parasols
- Cold drinks
- Fans for older guests
- Shaded seating areas
Timing The Ceremony
Golden hour is your best friend.
Hold your outdoor wedding ceremony in the late afternoon. The light is softer, the temperature is cooler, and your pictures will be amazing.
Budgeting For A Multi-Day Celebration
Destination weddings have a reputation for being expensive. They don’t have to be.
Here’s what that means:
A wedding weekend is when you book your wedding, rehearsal dinner, welcome party and farewell brunch all on one trip. It often ends up less expensive than having each event individually at home.
Still, you need to budget properly. Here is how:
- Venue fees: Usually the biggest cost. Expect 30-40% of your budget.
- Accommodation: Will you cover guest rooms or just your own? Decide early.
- Travel: Flights for you, your partner, and immediate family.
- Food & drink: Multiple meals across multiple days adds up fast.
- Vendors: Photographer, florist, DJ, officiant.
- Extras: Welcome bags, transport, activities.
Knowledge is power. Destination weddings will make up 20% of all weddings in 2024. Couples on average spend $12,000 on a wedding venue alone. Plan ahead, and don’t get burned.
The best budgeting advice? Add 10% of your expected costs as a buffer for surprise expenses. Because there will always be surprise expenses.
Looking After Your Guests
This is where destination wedding weekends really shine.
Your guests are traveling, spending money, and taking time off work to celebrate with you. There is no excuse for not caring for them properly.
Begin with communication. Send a comprehensive itinerary at least 3 months prior to the wedding. It should contain:
- Flight and accommodation recommendations
- The full weekend schedule
- Dress codes for each event
- Local tips and must-see spots
- Emergency contact info
A wedding website makes this easy. Most couples already use one — 28% of couples choose The Knot as their wedding website platform. Pick whichever suits you and keep it updated.
Welcome Bags
This is a small touch that makes a huge difference.
When your guests arrive at their room, leave a welcome bag with local snacks, bottled water, a thank you note, and the weekend schedule. Your guests will remember this for the rest of their lives.
Group Activities
Don’t overbook the weekend. But do plan a couple of optional activities.
A welcome drinks party on night one and a farewell brunch on the last day is ideal. This allows people who are meeting for the first time to really get to know each other.
Final Thoughts
Organizing a destination wedding weekend is hard work. There’s no way around that fact.
But when you do it right, you get something really special:
- Quality time with the people you love most
- Incredible memories in a beautiful setting
- A full celebration instead of a rushed day
- Lower stress than juggling separate events back home
To quickly recap:
- Pick the perfect location with onsite accommodation
- Plan your outdoor wedding ceremony with a weather backup
- Budget properly and add a 10% buffer
- Communicate early and often with guests
- Add small personal touches that make it memorable
Destination weddings are here to stay. Plan ahead, keep it simple, and remember what’s important: the best days of your life with the people you love most.
That’s what a destination wedding weekend is really about.