Good news for brides and grooms-to-be who received proposals over the holidays. According to a new study by Wedding Vacations by Sunwing, couples that opt for a destination wedding can look forward to less stress, reduced costs and the benefit of a tropical setting for those all-important wedding memories.
Statistically, January is one of the most popular months of the year when it comes to wedding planning (six out of 10 of the most popular days of the year to pop the question fall around Christmas and New Years), so the growing trend of having your big day down south is sure to be of interest to many newly-engaged couples embarking on wedding planning for the first time.
According to leading destination wedding planning company, Wedding Vacations by Sunwing, it’s easy to understand why weddings down south made up one quarter (25%) of all weddings in 2019, and why almost half (40%) of millennial couples chose to say ‘I do’ in sunnier climates.
“A typical wedding at home takes 12-18 months of continuous planning,” says Jacqueline Grossman, VP Corporate Marketing & Communications at Sunwing Travel Group. “In comparison, destination weddings take one-third of the time required to organize. In addition, all arrangements can be coordinated through your own destination wedding consultant in Canada. There is no need to contact multiple vendors on your own. It’s no wonder more couples than ever before are choosing to go down south for their nuptials.”
Another major reason for this spike is price. Although there is a common misconception that destination weddings are pricier than planning a local affair, new data from Wedding Vacations by Sunwing says otherwise. A local wedding can cost anywhere from two to four times as much as a destination wedding. On average, a wedding close to home sets couples back between $25,000 to $45,000 in 2019. When compared with the $10,000 average cost for a destination wedding in 2019, it’s no wonder more couples are gravitating toward a ceremony in the sun.
In short, a lot of what makes a wedding difficult is made easier by electing for a destination wedding.
Just launched this month, the latest issue of Wedding Vacations magazine is now available on newsstands as an insert with Today’s Bride, in major travel agencies or for download. Contributing Editor, Jessica Mulroney, returns for her ninth issue and talks latest bridal fashion as well as sharing the details of her new TV show, ‘I Do, Redo’ where she helps couples whose weddings did not go as planned make new memories with a second ‘big day’. Airing in 2020 on CTV and Netflix, two of the episodes take place in resorts offered by Wedding Vacations in Jamaica and Punta Cana. The magazine also features expert advice from destination wedding consultants, inspiration from couples’ real weddings, low down on the latest resorts and more. For information on destination weddings or to book your fairy tale ceremony, visit weddingvacations.com.
