Boutique Travel PR Agency Showcases Key Destination Wedding Trends

Destination weddings enable couples, their loved ones and friends to travel to a special location to celebrate their weddings.  In a post-pandemic world, destination weddings are growing in popularity as couples create memorable experiences for themselves and their loved ones.    
 
Did you know . . .
 

• “The global destination wedding market grew from $21.31 billion in 2022 to $28.31 billion in 2023 — and it's expected to grow to $78.89 billion in 2027,” (Source: Destination Wedding Global Market Report 2023)

 

• “While the average cost of a wedding in the U.S. is about $30,000, the average spend for a destination celebration is higher, at $35,600, despite guest lists often being smaller.” (Source: Axios)

 

• “The average cost of attending a destination wedding is about $1,000 per guest – and that is not including airfare and lodging.” (Source: Travel Bash)

 
Allen Marketing Communications, Inc., a boutique travel and lifestyle public relations agency based in New York City, shares the top destination wedding trends in a post Covid-19 world.
 
Historical Themes
 
Couples are embracing historical themes – historical figures and events –in their destination weddings.  Popular historical themes include ancient ruins of Rome, the mystique of Egypt and the heritage of Greece as the backdrop for their wedding.  “In 2023, 42 percent of destination weddings will have historical or cultural themes, bringing to life past civilizations as couples celebrate their union.” (Source: The Knot)
 
Couples are carefully planning every aspect of their weddings, from the venue choice to the décor, to capture the grandeur of earlier eras.  The past has been effortlessly incorporated into the present – couples are saying their wedding vows in venues with Egyptian art, Roman-style columns and gladiator themes.
 
Destination Weddings Mood Boards
 
Couples that value aesthetics are going over and above to create a seamless destination wedding experience. Mood boards enable couples to display the bridal and guest attire and wedding themes.  Mood boards also foster a sense of inclusivity and unity because couples are providing guests with visual signals about the wedding experience.
 
These mood boards provide visitors with a glimpse into the couple's plans for destination weddings – black tie wedding at a majestic castle or a whimsical seaside beach wedding.  Often, the mood boards are shared on social media so everyone stays abreast of the destination wedding details.
 
Experiences With Cultural Immersion
 
Couples are incorporating local culture into their destination weddings by incorporating local customs, cuisine, and traditions to the destination wedding, couples capture the essence of the “Eighty-seven percent of couples take cultural factors into account when planning their wedding.” (Source: WeddingWire).
 
Couples immerse themselves and their guests in the richness of the local culture by including local art and music as well as customary traditions and rituals. This trend encourages a closer bond between the couple, their guests, and the place itself in addition to providing a one-of-a-kind and unforgettable event. Guests leave the destination wedding feeling as though they had a genuine cultural interaction.
 
Centrally Located Wedding
 
Couples are seeking a central place for a destination wedding since some couples have loved ones living in different parts of the world.  The "meet-me-in-the-middle-weddings" enables all family members to participate in the destination wedding without incurring huge travel expenses.
 
Couples are also choosing vacation locations that embody an adventurous and celebratory mood. Couples are still selecting centrally located destinations that reflect the couples’ values to create special memories with their families and friends.
 
Destination weddings are a lucrative sector of the travel industry.  Our team of travel and lifestyle public relations professionals are here to help. Give us a call.
 
By Joanna Allen, chief executive officer, Allen Marketing Communications, Inc