In this day and age, couples are increasingly seeking destination weddings, and there’s nothing stopping those who hope to pack their traditions in their carry-on.
Now the days of being restricted geographically when planning a cultural celebration are behind us, as properties begin expanding their options to host couples of all backgrounds. No matter what types of rituals are included, there is surely a solution to accommodate a couple’s preferences and thus provide them with a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Whether it’s a Hindu extravaganza, a Jewish celebration, or anything in between, destination couples can rest assured they can host their dream wedding and seek adventure all at once. So how are destination weddings incorporating cultural touches?
Venues
Resorts and hotels are increasingly becoming more accommodating to all types of unions, which can be seen through the rise in custom packages. Jewish couples can rest easy knowing that a number of places are prepared to set up a chuppah for a traditional ceremony, while Hindu and Jain couples can also celebrate their vows under a mandap constructed on-site. Local event professionals can be great resources, often being able to assist with customizing décor even further.
Catering
Whether it’s an in-house caterer or a local establishment, there’s certainly one to fit most dietary needs. From vegan delicacies to favorite traditional dishes, caterers are often open to custom menus as long as they are given notice well in advance.
Entertainment
Get in touch with the venue and ask for a list of suggested vendors—oftentimes, there are DJs or bands that frequent the wedding site. Whether it’s the Hora or the Kalamatiano, consider reaching out to local musicians to see if they know (or are willing to learn) the couple’s traditional dances.
Come prepared
If there are certain items a couple plans to bring from home for the wedding experience, they should be encouraged to carefully pack them in carry-on luggage. It’s better to play it safe and avoid any scenario where their delicate ketubah or Chinese tea ceremony set is delayed.
With the help of a certified destination wedding specialist and a bit of insight from parents and other family members, couples can expect to have just as spectacular of a celebration as they would have had at home!
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.
