Once upon a time, destination weddings seemed like quite the undertaking. Times have changed, however, as technological innovations have made planning a celebration from afar much easier--and even more fun.
So how is technology changing the destination wedding landscape?
LIVE STREAMING Not every invitee may be able to attend a destination wedding, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t be a part of the big day! Between apps such as Periscope and actual robots that live-stream events, nobody will be left out from the celebration as long as they have a screen in front of them. Brides and grooms can even offer a first-hand peek of the action by incorporating a Go Pro while walking down the aisle.
PAPERLESS INVITATIONS While traditional save-the-dates and invitations can be elegant touches, virtual correspondence can be simpler to manage and also easier on the budget. Paperless invitations these days have all the bells and whistles. In addition to sending out invitations to all guests on the list, these programs also compile all of the RSVPs in one place to make it easier to finalize the final attendance list. It’s hard to argue with something that saves both time and money!
WEDDING WEBSITE It’s imperative to share all of the wedding details with guests, especially when it comes to destination weddings. Attendees will want to book accommodations in advance and make their travel plans, but they won’t be able to do that without the specifics. The wedding website is not necessarily a new technological advancement, but these days, it does much more than simply share information with loved ones.
WEAR YOUR HEART ON YOUR SLEEVE Between FitBits and Apple watches, everybody is sporting activity trackers these days. However, on the wedding day, it’s not about how many steps the couple takes (trust us – they’ll reach your goal!). Instead, brides and grooms are keeping track of the heart rate feature to remember their wedding day.
Newlyweds are checking the synced app after the wedding to see their physical response to the sequence of events--from the emotions of the ceremony to the upbeat tempo of the reception--all in a simple graph. Some are even taking the extra step to get their Big Day heartbeat engraved on rings or emblazoned on canvases or pillows to remind them of that special moment.
In a world where everyone is connected, it only makes sense that technology makes its way to the destination wedding industry. Modern couples, busier than ever, can enjoy the ease that comes with planning while loved ones can rest assure that they will be a part of the Big Day whether they are near or far.
Rebecca Hochreiter is the vice president of marketing and customer engagement at DestinationWeddings.com, the world's leading destination wedding and romantic travel planning company. DestinationWeddings.com has worked with more than 20,000 couples and half a million guests to plan dream destination weddings.
