Planning a destination wedding? Congrats! You’re about to embark on one of the most exciting (and memorable) journeys of your life. But let’s be honest… picking the perfect resort can feel like a full-time job. Endless scrolling. Dozens of open tabs. And suddenly, every resort looks the same.
Sound familiar?
We get it. That’s why we’ve pulled together our top five tips for choosing the right resort for your destination wedding. These tips will help cut through the noise and get you one step closer to celebrating in paradise.
1. Start With the Logistics
Before you get swept away by gorgeous beachfront photos, let’s talk logistics. The destination you choose sets the tone for your entire wedding experience for both you and your guests.
Here are a few things to think about:
- How long are the flights? Are there nonstop options?
- How far is the resort from the airport?
- What’s the vibe of the location? Modern and lively, or quiet and cultural?
- How’s the food? The beach? The scenery?
Your destination should look good and feel good. After all, this is where you’ll be creating once-in-a-lifetime memories.
2. Adults-Only or Family-Friendly?
This is a decision you’ll want to make early on. Resorts are strict when it comes to age policies. If you have even one child on your guest list, adults-only resorts are off the table.
Our advice? Look at your guest list and be honest about who’s coming. If you’re dreaming of a kid-free weekend, that’s perfectly okay. It’s your wedding. We can recommend beautiful family-friendly resorts that don’t feel like a theme park. Promise.
Destination Wedding Guest Lists
3. Legal or Symbolic Ceremony?
Let’s talk ceremony types. If you're envisioning a legally binding ceremony abroad, know that it comes with extra steps… think paperwork, translations, even blood tests in some destinations. Not all locations make it easy.
Symbolic ceremonies, on the other hand, are wildly popular and way less complicated. You get the full wedding experience, but without the red tape. Over 80% of our couples go this route and the best part?... guests rarely know the difference.
If legal matters to you, we’ll help you narrow down the destinations that make it doable.
Legal vs. Symbolic
4. Choose the Vacation Resort First (Yes, Really!)
Here’s a little expert tip: ignore the wedding packages for now.
Instead, picture this: Where can you see yourself relaxing with a cocktail in hand, surrounded by your favorite people? Do you like the pool area? Are the restaurants calling your name? Is the beach something out of a postcard?
Find a resort that you’d love to vacation at then layer in the wedding details. Most resorts offer similar packages and venues, so choosing the right resort is really what makes the magic happen.
The Truth about destination wedding packages
5. Talk to a Destination Wedding Expert (Like Us!)
We’re not just here to book rooms… we’re here to make your planning journey smooth, exciting, and dare we say FUN!
At Romance Travel Group, we live and breathe destination weddings. After just one call, we can handpick a shortlist of resorts that check all your boxes. We know which resorts have great group perks, which ones are easy to work with, and which ones deliver those jaw-dropping experiences you’re dreaming of.
And let’s be real… there’s a lot more to choosing a resort than pretty pictures online.
Let’s Make It Easy
Planning a destination wedding doesn’t have to be overwhelming. When you know what to look for - and have the right team by your side - it’s a total game-changer.
If you’re ready to find your perfect resort, schedule a call with one of our destination wedding experts today. We’ll help turn your vision into reality, one sun-soaked step at a time.
Let’s plan something unforgettable. Schedule your consultation call and start planning today!
Schedule Your Free Consultation