Is a Destination Wedding Right For You? A Few Pros and Cons

A destination wedding provides several components; an element of travel, a vacation for guests as well as the bride and groom, and generally a unique experience. There are many factors that make a destination wedding so special that should be considered when deciding if it is right for you specifically. Here are a few main motivators for many couples to choose a destination wedding:

R&R for the couple: Destination weddings are great for a couple that wants a more laid back experience. If you live in a busy urban city, you might enjoy getting married at the beach more than in the church down the street.

One-stop shop: Most destination wedding venues are one-stop shops and have everything that you need in one place. These types of resorts also often have planners who will take on all of the work with vendors. Furthermore, most have on-site caterers!

Creates a great home base: Here is one that really hits home. Coming from a family that moved around a lot, I never felt like I had a real home base for which to have my wedding. If you come from a similar situation, or perhaps you and your fiance are not from close to each other, a destination wedding can be a great way to create common ground.

Marrying in Mexico: An Overview For Destination Weddings in Mexico (via The Knot)

Why Here?Mexico has a little bit of everything -- from four and five star resorts (often at a fraction of U.S. prices) to a staggering array of natural wonders. It's not just about the beach: Your guests won't want to miss Mexico's ancient archaeological sites from the Mayan ruins on the Yucatan peninsula to the pyramid-lined Avenue of the Dead, just outside of Mexico City.
What to KnowSunbathing and sightseeing go hand-in-hand on the beaches of Cancun along the Yucatan Peninsula, where it's also easy to reach some of the most stunning Mayan ruins. Los Cabos is home to some of the country's most striking scenery, but the sometimes-choppy water makes these beaches better for kayaking and sailing than for swimming. The best golf courses are found on Mexico's Pacific Coast, while Puerto Vallarta is the great place to go for a true taste of Mexican culture, and colonial-era architecture.
One of Mexico's most popular ceremony spots is appropriately named Playa del Amor - Love's Beach -- near Cabo, which has breathtaking views of the Pacific.

4 Wedding Guest Myths

The Bride-to-Be Is the Point Person for Wedding Info
If anything, this is probably the LAST person to go to for wedding info -- the bride undoubtedly is dealing with a world of tasks and stresses, don't pile on another! Try to point your questions at another person close to the bride, whether it be the Maid of Honor, Mother of the Bride, or another member of the wedding party.

There Is an Implied +1 or ‘and Guest’ On Your Wedding Invitation

Take the invitation at face value, if it doesn't explicitly tell you that you can invite a guest...don't! If you have any confusion, be sure to clarify before rsvp-ing.

The Couple Must Provide Free Booze/Cake/Hors d’œuvres/Etc.

What the couple is responsible for is serving some form of refreshments at the reception. The bride and groom are not responsible for providing a full meal, or extensive dinner options.

You Should Bring a Gift to the WeddingGifts for the bride and groom are an expected courtesy, and one made extra simply by the existence of online wedding registries that let you choose presents in your pajamas and have them sent along to the happy couple’s home.

Source: Manolo Brides

5 Wedding Registry Items Worth Splurging On

When picking items for your registry, it's always a good idea to pick items that are high quality but not outrageously expensive. That said, there are several kitchen items that are worth spending more on. The Knot provides this list of items to splurge on when registering:

Sterling Silver Flatware: Don't skip the silver, the more you use it, the better it looks!

Fine Dining: Contrary to popular belief, porcelain and bone china are tougher and more durable than stoneware. Don't feel like you have to save your china exclusively for special occasions!

Kitchen Knives: High-quality knives are probably the single best investment you can make in your kitchen. Allowing you to prep meals faster, more easily, and more safely, you will immediately notice the impact of a quality knife on your cooking.

Book Spotlight! Destination Wedding Planning: Mexico

Looking for some literature to help you plan your Mexican wedding? Destination Wedding Planning: Mexico, was written by Ashley Wali, who was a destination bride and expatriot herself.

After her own destination wedding, Wali founded the company SkyBride to help other destination brides enjoy their experience as much as she did.

The guide gives you details that only the locals know--from ensuring that certain aspects are authentic to the culture, to giving suggestions on vendors and accommodations, this book is a very comprehensive resource for any bride looking for a little help planning.