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Why Couples Choose to Have All-Inclusive Destination Weddings
What makes all-inclusive destination weddings so popular? A survey of 1,460 members of the Knot Wedding Network showed some interesting trends when they provided answers to some key questions about their wedding.
The results from this 2014 survey showed an interesting trend. For example, almost one in four couples (24%) of those surveyed chose to have a destination wedding rather than a traditional ceremony in their home town. Of these, 45% of the weddings were in an international destination and 60% were a significant distance from where the couple lived at the time of their wedding.
Fast forward to 2024/5 and we see that destination weddings have become increasingly popular among U.S. couples in recent years. As of 2024, approximately 25% of all U.S. weddings were destination weddings, with about half of these taking place internationally.
The global destination wedding market has seen significant growth, expanding from $21.31 billion in 2022 to $28.31 billion in 2023, and is projected to reach $78.89 billion by 2027.
Popular international destinations for U.S. couples include Mexico, the Caribbean, and various European countries. Mexico remains a top choice due to its proximity and diverse venue options.
The average cost of a destination wedding in 2023 was $41,000, compared to $35,000 for traditional weddings.
Factors contributing to the higher cost include travel expenses, accommodations, and the tendency to hire wedding planners for remote coordination.
The driving factor for couples being prepared to go the extra mile, is simply the attraction of a memorable experience.
Planning an all-Inclusive Destination Wedding is Easier than You Think
It may sound complicated and risky to get married overseas where you do not know the protocol and have no personal contacts for flowers, ceremony, musicians and so on. However, most couples choose a wedding planner to ensure that all the paperwork is in order and everything they want is provided for them as part of their bespoke wedding.
At boutique resorts such as Calabash Cove Resort and Spa, a wedding planner/team is provided by the resort
pre-travel. All you have to do is tell them what you want your perfect dream wedding to include and they will tailor the wedding to suit your requirements. From the bridal bouquet and chilled champagne to the location, the wedding planner takes care of everything to ensure your wedding goes smoothly.
In fact, 50% of international brides said that planning a destination wedding was less difficult than planning a traditional wedding, and 29% said it was about the same – further proof that planning an all-inclusive destination wedding is easier than you may think.
Recent surveys show that the most popular international destinations for weddings are the Caribbean (41%), Mexico (21%) and Hawaii (16%) with the remaining 22% of weddings taking place in Europe or Central/South America. Reasons for choosing places such as Saint Lucia for your all inclusive destination wedding include the weather – especially if you want a winter wedding. ( Recently it is noteable to see that the Caribbean has overtaken Mexico in popularity and since the Knot survey in 2014.)
Cost is another important factor. Although a vacation in Saint Lucia and a wedding package sound expensive, it works out much cheaper than having a traditional wedding at home and then budgeting for a honeymoon. With a destination wedding in Saint Lucia, you get everything for one all-inclusive price. (You have no doubt heard the phrase "WeddingMoon".)
How so? Destination weddings had on average 58 guests compared to 87 guests for a home-based event. In fact, 65% of international weddings had less than 50 guests, and 13% had less than 10 guests. This also makes a considerable saving for the bride and groom with a smaller reception to pay for and everyone paying for their own flight and accommodation.
The distance makes a good excuse not to have to invite distant relatives and dozens of work colleagues. Instead, your destination wedding in Saint Lucia can include your closest family and friends, making it a very intimate and personal experience.
Once the wedding ceremony is over, many couples organize a planned group activity such as a sightseeing tour together (47%), water activities (41%) or a visit to the spa (36%) according to surveys.
We're sure you'll have many more ideas for your all-inclusive destination wedding in Saint Lucia. You can rest assured that plenty of couples have done it before and they all give it a huge thumbs up!
