November 3, 2022
Getting married in places far from one’s homeland is undoubtedly one of the latest trends.
In particular we are talking about two trends:elopement, for those who dream of a solo elopement or an intimate wedding with a few people, and destination wedding, for a festive wedding but with an equally small circle of guests.
Let’s find out together the differences and the most popular destinations for newlyweds-to-be!
ELOPEMENT
The “elopement” (“to elope” meaning “to run away together”) comes from America and is nothing more than an actual elopement to another city or a different country. It, however, has nothing to do with the headshots of couples who elope to marry in total secrecy, nor even less with the so-called “fuitines” prevalent in our grandparents’ time! This is an intimate wedding, organized in every detail and loved by brides and grooms who prefer a cozy atmosphere with a few special people (20 at most). However, it is not unusual to see couples setting off alone to tie the knot, with no one by their side. Those who choose elopement have the option of getting legally married in a civil, religious or symbolic ceremony, and, the latter option, applies especially in the case of solo elopement since witnesses are missing.
The organization of elopement starts with the location: it could be surrounded by nature, by the sea or in a major metropolis, so as to combine scenic beauty, entertainment and culture. Opting for an intimate wedding also means you can spend less time on planning: thanks to the small number of guests, preparations can safely start even a couple of months before the fateful day! In addition, compared to the classic wedding, it is possible to save money to allocate expenses to more important aspects such as attention to detail or honeymoon arrangements, often in the country of elopement.
DESTINATION WEDDING
This trend also originated in the U.S. and refers to a marriage that takes place in a different country from the couple’s country of origin. Saying your vows of love away from your “micro-world,” in settings that have special meaning for you, will turn your wedding into an unforgettable memory for you and your loved ones.
Unlike elopement, which is unconventional and circumscribed, destination wedding involves moving the entire event and guests to another country, making the vacation-like marriage: not surprisingly, many couples decide to take advantage of the entire weekend to allow guests to discover the attractions of their chosen destination.
The following are usually invited between 50 and 80 people since not everyone has the ability to travel for at least 3 days. At the same time, the budget of a destination wedding is quite flexible and subjective: you can choose to celebrate by focusing on the essentials or spare no expense to make sure you don’t miss anything! Finally, it is an ideal opportunity to devote entire days to friends and family: in addition to the “big day,” you have the opportunity for excursions, brunches, and dinners that will allow you to immerse yourself in local customs and traditions.
Because the symbolic ceremony is completely informal and can be celebrated anywhere, it is the most popular for destination weddings: it happens especially when the overseas wedding and related paperwork is difficult to handle or if the bureaucratic timeline is too tight. In addition, the fact that any outdoor space can be chosen makes this option particularly attractive: in this case, the couple is legally married in their own country before the destination wedding.
THE DESTINATION WEDDING PLANNER
Managing an elopement and destination wedding requires excellent organizational skills, and relying on a local destination wedding planner is essential to have the best proposals and solutions.
An experienced figure will make your job easier: in addition to taking care of every logistical aspect, he will help you manage suppliers and expenses according to your budget. Do not forget that although weddings of this type do not involve a large number of guests, a good budget is necessary to support the expenses for their stay, travel, activities to be offered and any “pre” and “post” wedding celebrations.
Planning such a wedding is both exciting and a source of anxiety and stress. Being able to count on the professionalism of someone who takes charge of all these aspects and has your best interest at heart really makes a difference.
Since these are ceremonies performed in distant countries, compared to their home locations, the bride and groom-to-be usually combine their honeymoon with the wedding celebration. Generally, the destination represents a place very dear to the couple and, at the same time, becomes the perfect destination for an intimate vacation.
Sometimes the couple chooses to marry in a special place for one reason and another: it is often the case that the family of the bride or groom, originates from a different country than the one in which they live, and because of this, the bride and groom choose to crown their love in the homeland of one of them.
DESTINATIONS
Italy is definitely a favorite destination for couples from the U.S., Canada and Northern Europe: there are many newlyweds from Britain, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands who dream of a destination wedding or elopement in the Bel Paese. From the sophistication of the lakes of Como and Garda, to the picturesque Tuscan countryside, from the charm of the Amalfi Coast to the magnificence of the Sicilian Baroque, to the white beaches of Sardinia and Puglia.
Equally popular for an intimate wedding are then the Balearic Islands (Ibiza and Formentera) and the Greek islands of Mykonos and Santorini, for lovers of breathtaking views. There is no shortage of couples who prefer to celebrate the fateful day in winter, but without giving up a beautiful sunset by the sea, enjoying exotic foods in tropical destinations. Finally, for those who dream big, the exclusive locations of Dubai cannot be missed, surrounded by Middle Eastern luxury and scents.
