The day Karan Kamelkar and Bilva Shah got married in Mexico was the first time they had seen the venue in person or even set foot in the country.
The New Jersey couple's first trip to Quintana Roo (the Mexican state home to Cancun and sunny beaches) also coincided with their destination wedding in November 2023 with about 300 friends and family. Ta.
They had considered wineries and other venues around New York, but had yet to find the right venue or cost for a large Indian wedding. The couple, who got engaged on New Year's Eve 2022, came up with the idea of tying the knot elsewhere after attending several friends' weddings in Jamaica. “We found it easier for everyone to get around the resort,” Kamelkar told USA TODAY. “We didn't want it to just be before and after the wedding. We wanted people to have fun.”
Mexico seemed to have “no hesitation,” Shah said. They had never been to a country with a warm climate, so it was already appealing, and the place seemed relatively “hassle-free” for everyone to travel to. Most importantly, friends had recommended a resort in Mexico that was experienced in hosting South Asian weddings, especially Hindu weddings.
But there was one big problem. “We were going in there blind,” Kamelkar said.
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Consider having a wedding abroad rather than in your hometown, says Sarah Clingman, founder and CEO of Gather, an event planning company that helps couples plan their weddings on a project basis. The number of newlywed couples is increasing.
“There's an element of social media that increases curiosity about travel and really adventurous things,” Clingman told USA TODAY. “We go on this adventure with each other and with our friends and family.”
At the time, Kamelkar and Shah were saving up to buy a home, so they couldn't afford to travel to check out potential properties. “Where is this resort? Where is this?” he continued. “I have no idea, but the wedding is all going to be in a new country location. It was an eye-opener.”
But it was worth it. “There was an excitement for everyone to be there, relax and have fun,” Shah said. Guests came from California, Texas, Canada, and even all the way to India.
The couple held the event for two full days, and most of their guests stayed at the El Dorado Spa Resort & Hotels resort for a few more days, relaxing and enjoying the beach and amenities while getting to know each other's family and friends. Couples can also incorporate personalized touches into their itineraries, from hookah and henna at the welcome cocktail evening to celebrating Denali, India's festival of lights, with sparklers.
“[Typical weddings]fly by and end way too soon,” says Jared Benoff, destination wedding travel advisor at Vacationeeze. Benoff was the coordinator who helped the couple plan their wedding. “The benefit of a destination wedding is that it lasts four to five days. You get to spend time with friends and family outside of the formal cocktail hour.”
Planning a wedding is already stressful, but when you add traveling for a large group, it can become even more difficult. Here are some top tips to know when planning a destination wedding, from the experts who make magic happen.
1. Not all resorts are created equal
In Benoff's opinion, choosing the right resort to host your wedding is the biggest and most difficult decision. The perfect resort for a family vacation or honeymoon, or even the one with the best reviews, may not be suitable for marriage for a variety of reasons. “Couples find a resort on Instagram and get really excited because the pool is amazing, but the wedding team can't pull off a 100-person wedding event,” he said.
“We need resorts that plan enough weddings and understand wedding planning, but are not wedding factories,” Benoff added. “Getting extra attention makes a big difference.” You know your fiancé wants a destination wedding, but you're feeling overwhelmed and wondering how to navigate the resort wedding proposal. Benoff usually steps in here if you're not sure where to gate.
2. Plan early, but not too early.
“The key to a destination wedding is to start really early,” says Clingman. “The sooner the better. They're planning a big trip at the end of the day.”
Kamekar and Shah started planning their wedding a year before the event. They sent regular emails to keep guests updated at various stages of the process, including booking the venue, renewing passports if necessary, and arranging flight tickets. These emails also included reminders of hotel reservation deadlines. “Give yourself more time than you think,” Kamekal said. “So many people come and go, especially older relatives.”
There are some caveats. If you plan too early, you won't be able to book your flight. Benoff said the sweet spot is about a year into the process. This will allow the guest to determine availability and start arranging travel plans in 3-4 months. The final payment can be made during the last three to four months leading up to the event. “We want to give our guests enough time to take off work and pay for their transportation. That goes back to the consideration factor,” he said.
3. Think about your priorities
Destination weddings involve so many different elements that it may not even be the right choice for some couples. “We have a lot of supporters, but the only downside is that not every guest will participate,” Clingman said. “Many couples love the idea of a destination wedding, but can't stand the idea of grandma not being a part of it.”
It really comes down to priorities. For some, it can be a grand adventure, while for others, a smaller wedding can bring more intimacy.
“It's a really great opportunity to not only travel and see the world, but also celebrate the growth of our circle,” Clingman said. A destination wedding may be an hour away by car, but doesn't necessarily require a transatlantic flight to Italy.
At the end of the day, Clingman said, don't take it personally if someone can't attend your wedding because of cost or limited time off.
4. Yes, cost effective
The average budget for an American wedding in 2023 was $30,000, but many couples working with Benoff, who specializes in weddings in the Caribbean and Mexico with an average number of 70 guests, have an average budget of $17,000. can be easily suppressed. The biggest factor will be the guest list and resort wedding packages.
Almost all resorts offer offers, whether it's an all-inclusive wedding package (“This pretty much covers it,” Benoff says) or some kind of credit if guests book a certain number of rooms. , offering some kind of incentive. wedding decorations, entertainment, etc. “It takes mental accounting,” he said.
5. Provide some activities, but don't get carried away
Another perk of a destination wedding is the opportunity to explore the destination itself, and most guests stay for about four nights. Benoff advises couples not to book too many activities so guests don't feel like they're overloaded. You can choose optional activities or plan local excursions. “You want a good experience, and I think part of that is giving guests time to relax,” he said.
Los Angeles-based Daphne Hallabad and Daniel Tegneria got married in Manhattan before Christmas, and recommended hotels, restaurants and activities for their guests, including exploring New York's iconic Christmas market.
6. Put your boots on the ground
Hallabard describes herself as a “Type A” person who knows exactly what she wants from her wedding and tried to plan things herself, but she and Tegnelia worked full-time They ended up hiring Ms. Clingman because she was working in a different time zone than the East Coast. in order to help. Mr. Clingman, who is based near New York, researched Mr. Hallabad's venue list and showed it to the couple via video chat. “We can't do without it,” Hallabad said. “You definitely need someone to help you directly.”
On the night of their winter wedding, attended by 80 people, Hallabad was “nervous” that everything would go exactly as she had envisioned.
Approximately 90% of Benoff's clients have never even been to the resort or destination before their big day. “It's very different than planning locally,” Benoff said. Usually, I visit the venue many times. Ultimately, he will place a great deal of trust in the coordinator, vendors, and third parties such as Benoff, the on-site planner who will accompany him to the resort.
Tegnelia said couples considering a destination wedding should go for it. “Many people remember the holidays, so having your wedding during the holidays makes it twice as memorable.”
Kathleen Wong is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Hawaii. Please contact kwong@usatoday.com..
