Why couples choose destination weddings

By Forever Farrah Published 2026-09-17.

The real reasons couples pick a destination wedding, what independent surveys say about guest cost and attendance, and how to decide if it suits you.

Couples choose destination weddings to combine the wedding with a trip, to keep the guest list naturally small, and to marry somewhere that means something to them. The trade-off is cost and access for guests: in a 2018 LendingTree survey, attending a destination wedding cost guests $1,422 on average, and 51% of those invited to one had declined. It suits couples who are happy with a smaller, travel-willing crowd.

The reasons couples give

There's no recent independent survey measuring why couples pick a destination, so these are the reasons commonly described, not ranked statistics.

• A wedding and a holiday in one. Many couples honeymoon in the same place or nearby.
• A naturally shorter guest list. Distance does the editing, because fewer people can make the trip. That can be a relief if the list is a source of family tension.
• Somewhere meaningful. A family homeland, the place they met, or a country tied to one partner's heritage.
• More time together. Guests who travel usually stay several days, so the wedding becomes a shared trip. What does a destination wedding weekend look like shows a typical schedule.
• Scenery built in. A beach, a vineyard or a mountain view can reduce what you spend on decoration.
• Sometimes, a lower total. A small destination wedding can cost the couple less than a large one at home, though it often shifts cost onto guests. How much does a destination wedding cost breaks this down.

What the guest-side data shows

The best independent data on destination weddings is about guests. A LendingTree survey of 1,000 US adults who had recently attended or taken part in a wedding, run April 26 to May 1, 2018, found:

Destination wedding guests, LendingTree survey, 2018

Finding	Figure
Average spent by a guest attending a destination wedding	$1,422
Average spent on an international destination wedding	$2,514
Invited guests who declined a destination wedding	51%
Respondents who think destination weddings can be inconsiderate to guests	55%
Guests who cited the higher expense as a concern	70%
Guests who cited time off work	41%

These figures predate post-pandemic changes in travel prices, so today's costs are likely different, and they vary widely by where guests live and where the wedding is. A more recent LendingTree survey from April 2024 found that 34% of wedding guests in general had declined an invitation because of cost.

Legal and practical points

• Legal requirements vary by country. Some countries have residency periods, document translation or civil-ceremony rules. Many couples marry legally at home and hold the ceremony abroad. Check the destination's official guidance and your own government's advice on marriage abroad. Our guides to getting married in Italy, Greece and Mexico cover specifics.
• Plan earlier than for a local wedding. Guests need time to book flights and leave. See how far in advance to plan a destination wedding.
• Expect lower attendance. Plan the venue for the people who will realistically come. What percentage of wedding guests attend explains why there's no reliable national figure, and how to estimate yours.

How many of your wedding guests will actually come?

Is a destination wedding right for you?

It tends to work when:

• you're genuinely happy if some loved ones can't come;
• most key guests can afford the trip, or you can help them;
• you want the trip as much as the party.

It tends to disappoint when a particular relative's presence is essential but they can't travel, or when the guest list keeps growing and the costs follow. Destination wedding vs traditional wedding weighs the two side by side, best countries for a destination wedding helps with the where, and nobody tells you this about destination weddings covers the surprises.

Planning the guest list for a destination wedding

Because fewer invited guests travel, the guest list works differently. Invite the people you would be sad to miss, not the number the venue holds, and expect replies to arrive later than for a local wedding while guests check flights and leave. Set an RSVP date that still leaves time to confirm room blocks and final numbers with the venue. When should wedding RSVPs be due? covers the timing, and if you are hosting a welcome dinner or a day trip too, track replies for each event separately.

Being fair to guests

• Tell people early, with an honest idea of costs.
• Make it clear there are no hard feelings if they can't come.
• Share accommodation options at several price points.
• Consider a relaxed party at home afterwards for those who couldn't travel.

Our destination wedding guest guide is a good link to share with guests.

Frequently asked questions

Why do couples have destination weddings?

Commonly to combine the wedding with travel, keep the guest list small, and marry somewhere meaningful to them. No recent independent survey ranks these reasons.

How many guests attend a destination wedding?

It varies. In a 2018 LendingTree survey, 51% of people invited to a destination wedding had declined, so plan for noticeably lower attendance than at a local wedding.

Is it rude to have a destination wedding?

Not in itself, but it asks a lot of guests. In the same 2018 survey, 55% of respondents said destination weddings can be inconsiderate. Early notice and no pressure to attend help.

Is a destination wedding legally valid at home?

Often, if it meets the destination's legal requirements, but rules vary by country. Many couples do the legal paperwork at home and hold a symbolic ceremony abroad.