Destination Weddings Rebound During the Pandemic

 












​Destination weddings are quite simply a wedding that takes place outside the engaged couple’s current town or city.  Two and half years into the Covid-19 epidemic, destination weddings are coming back to pre-pandemic levels.
 
Did you know . . .

• “Destination weddings cost on average $32,700 (excluding the wedding ring).” (Source:  The Knot)

• “Destination weddings tend to be multi-day affairs with lots of events (welcome parties, rehearsal dinners, group activities, etc…) that everyone is invited to … to create a personalized curated experience for loved ones” (Source: The Knot)

• “Destination weddings are nowadays less about jetting off to a far-off setting, and more likely to be a city or vacation spot that’s meaningful to the couple.” (Source:  Wedding Wire)

 
Allen Marketing Communications, Inc., a boutique travel and lifestyle public relations agency based in New York City, spotlights key post-pandemic destination weddings trends.
 
Micro-Weddings
The wedding micro-trend is exactly what it sounds: an intimate gathering of 50 people or less.  Smaller guest lists and ceremonies adhere to the CDC guidelines and keep guests safe while traveling abroad. According to Forbes, “The Gwen reports that two years into the pandemic, 65 percent of all wedding inquiries are for micro weddings and smaller affairs.”
 
Micro-weddings also enable newlyweds to have their cake and eat it too.  “A micro wedding allows couples to have a more personalized experience that’s unique to them and their story,”according to Hudson Valley News.  It also presents an opportunity for newlyweds looking to travel with loved ones and close friends after months of a lockdown.
 
Micro weddings lends itself to destination weddings – it’s more cost effective to have less people attend a destination wedding.   "A micro destination wedding also ensures less hassle with big groups while traveling, allows more quality time with each guest, and gives the couple and their guests the chance to focus on what the destination has to offer," according to Town & Country.
 
And, let’s not forget, the Covid-19 pandemic has brought Zoom technology front and center.  Couples connect with loved ones and close friends who may not be able to join them on location for their special day simply with high speed internet connection.
 
Outdoor Spaces Are Crucial
Although we have Covid-19 vaccines and booster shots, outdoor spaces still remain a priority for many couples planning their destination weddings.
 
“We're seeing clients prioritizing venues with outdoor spaces—whether that means balconies, terraces, gardens, rooftops, or just spaces that have roll-gates or big windows that can swing open for the best possible air circulation,” according to Brides.
 
Not only are outdoor spaces a beautiful addition to a wedding, but now they’ve become a practical way to keep everyone safe while still being able to get married amidst the pandemic.
 
In addition to the wedding ceremony, outdoor spaces also lend itself to creative seating arrangements for the after wedding celebrations featuring dinner and dancing in the open air and under the stars. 
 
Sanitary Measures Are a Priority
When you travel, hotels and airlines are normally kept very clean, but with the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic they are taking even more precautions to ensure the safety and wellbeing of their guests and passengers.
 
“In addition, the importance of food and beverage sanitary precautions is higher now than ever, and will likely stay that way going forward,” according to Brides.  You can rest assured knowing that you and your guests will be well taken care of at your dream destination wedding.
 
Travel Allows Flexible Booking
Covid-19 pandemic has caused much stress for couples planning a destination wedding – from having to cancel or postpone their wedding to losing their deposits or even not getting refunds from venues.  Travel suppliers who are couples flexibility increase their chances of landing a destination wedding. 
 
Destination weddings are very lucrative and hoteliers often reap the benefits when family members spend on average $8,000 or more to travel to special locations for the newlyweds.   It is important for travel suppliers to clearly state their cancellation, postponement policies to ensure couples have their dream destination in the location special to the couples.
 
Our travel and lifestyle public relations professionals are here to help savvy marketers tap into the profitable destination weddings business.
 
By Marley Merrihew at Allen Marketing Communications, Inc.
 

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