Party Like a Rock Star - Destination Weddings Make Marriage in Paradise!
Released on: March 12, 2008, 4:35 pm
Press Release Author: Knight Owl Communications
Industry: Entertainment
Press Release Summary: With ever-increasing allure, the destination wedding phenomenon is changing the face of the American marriage ceremony. For the same as (and more and more often much less than) a traditional wedding, couples can exchange vows in one of dozens of exotic, glamorous or romantic destination wedding hot spots throughout the world.
Press Release Body: In 2007 more than 200,000 couples chose to wed outside of their own hometowns representing a 400% increase over the last 15 years.
Tammy Levent, Executive Director of Elite Travel Management Group, a Tampa, Florida-based agency specializing in destination weddings, and whose staff coordinated nearly 500 destination wedding ceremonies last year, believes that "The bridal trend for 2008 and beyond will be the destination wedding."
Although places like Hawaii, Florida, California and even Las Vegas are considered by many to be viable wedding destinations, "Our top spots are Jamaica, Cancun/Mayan Riviera and Cabo San Lucas," says Tammy.
With hundreds of all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean and Mexico, the wedding price can be so reduced that it is practically free and the average guest will spend about $900 per person for a four-day stay including airfare, accommodations, ground transportation, entertainment, food, drinks, water sports and some touring and sightseeing.
In sharp contrast, a domestic destination wedding can cost 2-3 times as much per guest who will pay á la carte for airfare, hotel, cars, food, entertainment and all outside activities; plus the cost of the actual wedding.
Often times a great vacation place does not necessarily make a great destination for a wedding. For instance, the Maldives is a wonderful place to relax but it is not a financially feasible destination for a wedding for the average person. A typical week's stay, including air, would cost about $10-$12 thousand dollars per person.
"My personal favorite is St. Lucia," states Tammy. "It's not the normal island that has gone commercial. It has fewer resorts and hotels, and the beach front remains virtually unspoiled. It has romantic, breathtaking views and plenty of natural activities and things to see and do. Cost aside, this is where I would get married."
A major roadblock to booking a destination wedding is the misperception that people have about traveling abroad. "It's hard to believe, but a lot of people have never left the United States and they think traveling to another country is more difficult than it really is," says Tammy. "I recently had a bride who didn't want to do a destination wedding because her grandparents thought it was too hard to get a passport. They would rather pay $25,000 for a domestic wedding than to save thousands by going to a more exotic location."
Contrary to public opinion, getting a Passport is as simple as going to your local post office. But for the faint of heart, a good destination wedding agency will provide passport services for your convenience.
Destination weddings can bring out the eclectic and quirky side by allowing couples to do something dazzling or totally different with their wedding. Tensing Pen Resort in Negril, Jamaica is a unique collection of 28 thatched, wood and cut stone cottages of varying sizes and amenities. Located on the ocean-side of a cliff; amid lush tropical foliage, they offer the ultimate in beauty, seclusion and privacy. The Tides in Mexico is a dramatic, eco-conscious, jungle and seaside 30-villa refuge that does not allow cell phones or motorized vehicles on the property. In 2009, an upcoming destination will be the Poseidon Resort in Fiji. It is the world's first underwater resort where you can spend the night 40 feet into the deep in absolute luxury.
When thinking about marrying abroad, it is important to use a travel agency that has a Certified Destination Wedding Specialist on staff who is well-versed in marriage laws and customs throughout the world. In many non-English speaking countries, you cannot legally marry without getting the paperwork translated into English. This includes passports, birth certificates, divorce decrees, etc. and the cost could run as much as $85-$100 a page.
If you want a legal marriage without the hassles, don't get "married" in a non-English speaking country, but if you do, make sure that you have a specialist to navigate the rougher waters. However, for simplicity and ease, you can either narrow your choices to the hundreds of English speaking areas of the Caribbean or tie the knot legally in the United States and have a symbolic wedding abroad.
For more information visit: honeymoongiveaway.com or call 1-866-726-9090.
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