If there is one certainty this year, it’s that the destination wedding market is changing to better accommodate the contemporary couple. So what are insiders finding to be the biggest industry shifts in 2015?
Personalization continues to be on-trend, and it’s serving as a catalyst for destination wedding planning as well. This diverse market is seeking distinct services and unique concepts across the globe, with standard destination wedding packages, once appreciated for their convenience, no longer being the only option.
Inspired by wanderlust
So how is the industry responding? Customized offerings are essential, with the recognition that even the most modern couples are excited to incorporate time-honored traditions and customs into their special day.
With that in mind, the destination wedding industry is also making headway with the rapidly growing South Asian market, who have their own particular needs. Couples now have options that include multi-day celebrations, extravagant details, and the rich palettes often synonymous with Indian weddings. In other words, your Indian wedding clients are no longer tied down to their local options, especially if they are inspired by their own wanderlust.
While we’re seeing robust international growth, there is also an increased need in options stateside. The US is already well regarded for their diverse landscapes and offerings, and couples are finding that domestic celebrations are not only convenient, but can still promise adventure. If you’re interested in expanding to the destination wedding market, just keep in mind that you may be able to do so in your very backyard.
We also forecasted that LGBT destination weddings would experience growth, and our expectations have been exceeded with this emerging market. Exchanging vows away from home amongst friends and family is on-trend with LGBTQ couples who may be unable to legally wed at home, as well as those who seek to honor cultural ties or long-lived obsessions with exotic locales. Top destination spots for same-sex couples include Cape Town, Iceland, New Zealand, Barcelona and Paris. Domestically, couples are making their way to New York City, Florida and Hawaii.
The destination wedding industry is currently experiencing both a time of growth and change, and we’re eager to see where it takes us in 2016.
Rebecca Hochreiter is the Vice President of Marketing & Customer Engagement at DestinationWeddings.com, the world's leading destination wedding and romantic travel planning company. DestinationWeddings.com has worked with over 20,000 couples and half a million guests to plan dream destination weddings. DestinationWeddings.com is one of the award-winning brands in the Celebration Travel Group collection.
Photography: Katya Nova Photography http://www.katyanova.com/
