THE VENUE

You’ve made the decision. You’re having a destination wedding. That is so amazing!!!!

Now what?

First, let’s get our language straight, because I use these words a lot in this series. A “resort” generally means an all-inclusive venue, usually somewhere in the Caribbean. A “venue” is a non-all-inclusive option, which could be in the Caribbean too, or anywhere else in the world.

Good, now we’re all speaking the same language.

Choosing your resort or venue can feel completely overwhelming, and if you’re headed overseas, know that your price tag climbs right along with the mileage. Keep that in the back of your mind as we walk through what actually shapes this decision.

Location

Do beach sunsets tickle your fancy?

Or have Tuscany vineyards taken over your Pinterest boards?

Here’s the truth: a destination wedding isn’t just about the destination. It’s the venue and the views that live forever in your photos and your memory. The location is the unofficial guest of honor at this wedding, and it deserves one of your very first decisions:

What do you want your backdrop to be?

A few things shape that choice: how easy it is for people to actually get there, your guest count, cost for you and your guests (you’ll hear a lot about budget throughout this series, I promise), the activities and excursions available, and whether this is a family-friendly celebration or an adults-only escape.

Ease of Travel

Let’s start here.

The Caribbean, especially Mexico’s Cancun and Cabo San Lucas regions, Jamaica’s Montego Bay, and the Dominican Republic, is simply easier to get to. Shorter flights, more direct routes from major U.S. airports. It just works logistically for more people. Go overseas, and you’re looking at longer flights, often overnight from major cities.

That’s when you need to get honest about your guest list.

Can they actually make that trip?

Health, disabilities, cost, even passport or travel restrictions all become bigger factors the farther you go. Really study your guest list, and don’t be afraid to have direct conversations with the people you love most about whether this trip is realistic for them.

Number of Guests

You know your family dynamics better than anyone.

Big community, big invitation list? A larger resort is probably your move.

Smaller list? You’ve got room to consider a boutique hotel or an intimate venue.

Either way, remember this works just like a stateside wedding: you pay per person. More guests, bigger budget. My advice to clients is always the same: get a firm number, build an A list and a B list, and even within your A list, know exactly who absolutely has to be there. Then start those conversations early.

And make peace now with the fact that not everyone will come.

Travel isn’t for everybody, and that’s okay.

Extend the invitation to the people who matter, and let go of the outcome. Don’t let a “no” take anything away from your day.

Cost

This is the big one.

People love to say destination weddings are automatically cheaper than traditional ones. I’ll tell you what I always tell my clients: it depends.

Can it be more cost effective?

Absolutely.

All-inclusive resorts bundle your food and beverage into one per-person rate. No cash bar decisions, no separate line items, just one price. But here’s what nobody mentions: the base packages come with the bare minimum. Basic white linens, standard chairs. I have never once had a couple who didn’t upgrade, so build that into your budget from day one, not as an afterthought.

Choose a non-all-inclusive venue, and you’re back in traditional pricing territory: one cost for the bar, another per plate, and it adds up fast. This is a real decision-making factor, not a minor detail.

Activities & Excursions

Your favorite people are now in one gorgeous location for several days, and your wedding is just one of them.

So, what are they doing the rest of the time?

All-inclusive resorts typically have built-in entertainment: pool days, nighttime shows, the works. Head somewhere more exotic, and you’ll likely need to arrange activities off-site yourself. Sometimes that cost lives inside your travel package, sometimes the couple covers it directly. I’ve seen it done both ways.

It comes down to your vision and your budget.

Adult-Only or Family-Friendly

Honestly? This is where I’ve seen the most tension.

Some of your favorite people have kids. You, as the couple, may not want children part of your celebration.

Here’s your permission slip: this is your day, and you get to decide.

Many couples choose adult-only resorts specifically to sidestep that conversation altogether. Others land somewhere in between, welcoming older kids or teens.

Adult-only resorts tend to run pricier than family-friendly ones, largely because a family of four typically spends more on-site than two adults do. So the tradeoff is real: a lower resort price on one side, the choice of who’s present on your wedding day on the other.

Only you can decide what matters more.

Conclusion

These are the big decision points when choosing your venue.

There is no wrong answer here, only the one that reflects the day you actually want. Follow your vision.

It’s the only compass you need.

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This is part two of a multi-part series on destination weddings. Stay tuned for the next installment, Hotel Room Blocks, where I discuss the value of contracts through my lawyer’s lens.

Know someone dreaming of a destination “I do”? Share this blog so they know we both want their day to be unforgettable.

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Dreaming of combining bucket list travel with your wedding?

That’s one of my favorite kind of travel to curate. Let’s talk about your vision and how I can make it a reality. Schedule your free 30-minute consultation today!