2023 Destination Wedding Planning Trends

A beautiful destination wedding will be one of the highlights of your marriage celebration!  But every year, there are new trends and shifts in destination wedding travel.  After compiling and analyzing data across various sources, and seeing the new requests that have come from my own destination wedding couples, I have predicted that these are going to be the top seven destination wedding trends of 2023.

1. Plan EXTRA EARLY:

Before the pandemic, it was customary for a couple to reserve their wedding resort venue and room block around 12 months out, but as the world has opened up again, many couples are finding resort and venue space filled up for the dates they originally want.  In 2023 and beyond, expect higher demand and lower inventory, which also drive up prices.  Post on Destination Wedding Costs.  Couples are now looking at least 15 months our in order to get the room inventory & price that they need.
​
BOTTOM LINE: The sooner you can discover the destination, resort & wedding venue, you want for your destination wedding, and reserve your date the better!

2. Toes NOT in The Sand:

In 2023, brides are looking to get married in an Instagram-worthy location, with a breathtaking backdrop, but they DON'T want their feet in the sand.  Many destination wedding venues now are putting in beautiful above-the sand platforms, sky weddings garden gazebos, and over-the-water gazebos which are growing in popularity.

3. Exclusive Private Experiences:

In 2023 couples are looking to do private, exclusive experiences with their wedding groups, such as private receptions to welcome their guests complete with a mixologist who creates a special cocktail for just your group.  Couples are also scheduling their own private events such as fire shows beach parties, tequila or rum tasting, private casino, and even a private tour or excursion for just your wedding group.

4. Over-The-Water Ceremonies!

As I mentioned above, more and more wedding couples don't want their feet in the sand, but they still want the breathtaking backdrop.  One wat to achieve this is to have an over-the-water ceremony.  Many resorts now contain wedding venues that are built over-the-water.  This not only gives the normal amazing view but also adds a 3-demensional beauty to the ceremony.

5. 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 just have a "wedcation" they want to give their entire wedding group an authentic experience with the location they have chosen for their destination wedding!

6. 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 evens.  For example, in Mexico, blog post Pro & Con of a wedding in Mexico, there is a special liquor call Mezcal.  Couples will hire a mixologist to use a liquor like that in creating a cocktail native to the location they ae getting married in.  In addition to a cocktail, they may also include some type of authentic delicacy on their menu.

7. Consulting with a Destination Wedding Specialist

In 2023, couples 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 planning right and take the stress & frustration of planning their destination wedding off of their plate!

My prediction is that we will see these destination wedding trends growing in popularity both this year and into the future.  While it's entirely up to you to decide which trends are best for your destination wedding, I hope that my list has given you some food for thought as you move forward in your wedding planning. 

If you are in the midst of planning your destination wedding and feel like you're stuck and not getting very far, I encourage you to use this LINK to schedule a free 30-minute strategy session with me! I would be honored to help you figure out everything you need for a magical & trendy destination wedding!

If you live in the Chicago Area and planning a Destination Wedding, contact us and let me answer some of your pressuring planning questions.
​https://calendly.com/windermere-wedding/free-discovery-call

​Denise