In 2023, planning a fantastic destination wedding could be a stressful trial. You'll have to consider thousands of options when putting all the pieces together. This article will help you navigate some of the top destination wedding trends of 2023. It will also give you fresh inspiration & ideas even if your wedding isn't until 2024 or beyond.
Start EXTRA EARLY
Before the pandemic, it was typical for a couple to reserve their wedding resort venue and room block around 12 months out. Still, as the world has opened up again, many couples are finding resort and venue space filled up for the dates they initially wanted. Engaged guests are now looking at least 15 months out to get the room inventory & pricing that they need. In 2023 and beyond, expect higher demand and lower inventory, which drive up prices.
BOTTOM LINE: The sooner you decide on the destination & venue and reserve your date, the better!
Toes NOT in The Sand
In 2023, brides are looking to get married in an Instagram-worthy location with a breathtaking backdrop. Many destination wedding locations offer beautiful above-the-sand platforms, chateaus, garden pavilions, vineyards, and over-the-water bungalows, which are growing in popularity. No worries if you want your wedding on a gorgeous beach at golden hour! There are fantastic options for beach weddings.
Exclusive Private Experiences
In 2023 couples are looking for authentic and exclusive experiences for themselves and their guests. You can have private receptions to welcome their guests, complete with a mixologist who creates a special cocktail for your group. Are you getting married in Paris? You can treat your nearest and dearest to an after-hour private tour of the Louvre. Does the thought of a Tuscan villa wedding thrill you? You can schedule private trips to the market with a chef and learn to make a delicious Italian meal. Couples also plan private events such as fire shows, beach parties, tequila or rum tasting, and even private yacht parties. The world is your oyster.
Over The Water Ceremonies!
As mentioned above, more and more wedding couples don't want their feet in the sand, but they still wish for a breathtaking backdrop. One way to achieve this is to have an over-the-water ceremony. Many resorts now contain wedding venues over the water. You can find water chapels in the Maldives, Bali, and the Caribbean. An overwater wedding gives a fantastic standard view and adds 3-dimensional beauty to the ceremony.
Focus on Incorporating Cultural Traditions
Many couples will be incorporating local & cultural traditions into their destination wedding experience for both them and their guests! Today's couples want to do more than have a "wed-cation." They want to give their entire wedding group a memorable experience with the location they have chosen for their destination wedding!
Including Local Cuisine & Cocktails
Along with my previous trend of including cultural traditions in their wedding, many couples also include local cuisine and cocktails in their wedding events. For example, in Mexico, there is an exceptional liquor called Mezcal. Couples will hire a mixologist to use a liquor like that in creating a cocktail native to the location. In addition to a cocktail, they may include some authentic delicacies on their menu.
Consulting with a Destination Wedding Expert
In 2023, people are choosing to consult with a destination wedding specialist to help them make sure they are getting everything they want and the maximum value out of their destination wedding. The reason is that wedding couples are busier than ever as they work, finish school, start their family, and possibly move to a new home, all while trying to find some time for each other,
Today's couples believe it is worth the investment to spend a little extra to get their destination wedding planned right and take the stress & frustration of planning their destination wedding off their plate!
These seven trends are not likely to fade out anytime soon, so you can assume they will be popular options to think about for your destination wedding in 2023 and beyond. If you're planning to tie the knot any time soon (or have an eye for what could become the destination wedding norm in the future), then it's worth taking note of these trends, so you know what to expect.
If you are planning your destination wedding and feel stuck, please schedule a free 30-minute strategy session with me! I would be honored to help your figure out everything you need for a perfect & trendy destination wedding!