Incorporating Local Touches into a Destination Wedding

When to-be-weds decide to take their wedding on the road, a lot of thought goes into choosing a destination that suits both of their personalities. As the destination plays such a large role in the celebration, it only makes sense to incorporate local flair into the wedding to really show off the region.

Luckily, couples have found plenty of ways to highlight details from the area to really embrace the chosen locale.

Cuisine

Food and beverage is often the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of how to build in a regional element and with good reason! Today’s couples are filling food and bar menus with local favorites, so their guests can get a feel for the area and enjoy the native flavors. For example, a Mexican celebration could pair margaritas with tacos and empanadas, whereas a wedding in Tuscany could fill the menu with delicious pastas and rich wines from nearby vineyards. Likewise, Hawai’i weddings can sample from typical luau fare – kalua pig, poi and a wide selection of fruity cocktails.

Ceremony rituals

Wedding ceremonies are different all around the world, so those who choose to travel somewhere new for their wedding are finding ways to truly live the “local experience,” down to their nuptials. From Polynesian blessing ceremonies in Hawai’i to traditional kilts and bagpipes in Ireland, it all depends on the destination of choice.

Entertainment

Hiring local talent is one great way that to-be-weds are bringing in the sights and sounds of the region. We have seen everything from native musicians, traditional dancers, cigar rolling stations or even fire twirlers.

Décor

Décor is, of course, a defining characteristic of most weddings and allows couples to truly personalize their big day, so it’s the perfect place to infuse the regional culture. From using native flora to bringing in destination-specific details like surfboard signage in Hawai’i or maracas in Mexico, couples are going the extra mile to capitalize on all that a location has to offer.

The little things

Guest experience is a major factor, so destination couples are finding ways to ensure visitors have a culturally rich experience. Welcome bags are a favorite way to say thank you while also giving them a taste of the area as they arrive. Popular additions include maps, local snacks, a list of nearby activities, an itinerary of the fun events that lie ahead and some fun custom keepsakes, like sunglasses or a water bottle. Couples are finding that sending guests home with personalized mementos of their getaway is the perfect way to ensure that the celebration becomes a lifelong memory beyond social media.

Each destination is unique just as each couple is, so it’s important to take in what sets the location apart from others and take advantage of it. Destination weddings are away from home for a reason—embrace it!

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 nearly 25,000 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.