With a fifth of all engaged couples choosing to jet off for their wedding, destination celebrations have seen significant growth and, with that, comes a whole host of unique trends for these exotic getaways.
In the past year, honeymoon travel has spiked by 43 percent within our customer base, whereas interest in destination vow renewal has risen by an incredible 151 percent. As a result, it is safe to say that traveling somewhere romantic has become a popular choice for couples everywhere. In terms of destination weddings, the majority of our customer base says that they chose a getaway so they can have an extra unique wedding experience.
With that said, here are some of the latest trends we have been seeing in the market.
What’s Next: Emerging Destinations
Mexico and the Dominican Republic remain at the top of the list of chosen destinations, but we have seen an increase in couples who opt to go off the beaten path and try somewhere new. In particular, Costa Rica has seen significant growth in romance travel, and we have also have the islands of Curaçao and Grenada on our radar as well.
Aim for Family-Friendly
Destination weddings are increasingly moving away from the adults-only resort, shifting instead in favor of family-friendly properties that cater to children and young adults.
In fact, 92 percent of destination weddings have children in attendance, which is up from 88 percent last year. These celebrations have not only become a way to honor the couple at hand, but also an opportunity for families to take a vacation together.
Clients Want Above-and-Beyond Decor
While decor is not necessary for a destination wedding (the setting does all the work!), an extra-special touch is always appreciated. And today, couples are taking their destination decor to the next level.
From lit-up dance floors to incorporating the Pantone Color of the Year, greenery, in every detail, the focus on over-the-top décor has certainly created quite the scene for destination events.
Be Sure to Keep it Local
Many millennials have adopted the “locavore” movement when dining at home, and they are now packing that philosophy in their carry-on when they prepare to travel.
Locally sourced ingredients are not only ideal for crafting flavors that speak to the region, but they are also environmentally conscious and save on the costs of transportation and storage. For Mexico, this could mean sourcing local tequila in the signature margaritas, whereas Italy menus may be stocked with fresh tomatoes and mozzarella. Talk about a win-win situation!
The destination wedding market is constantly changing, with new styles and trends to keep an eye on. For an in-depth look at what’s on the scene as of late, don’t miss the 2017 Destination Weddings Trend Report here.
Megan Velez is the vice president of product at Destination Wedding Travel Group, the world's leading destination wedding and romantic travel planning company. Destination Wedding Travel Group, which encompasses GayDestinationWeddings.com, DestinationWeddings.com and LuxuriousDestinationWeddings.com, has worked with nearly 25,000 couples and half a million guests to plan dream destination weddings around the world.
