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����������� Destination weddings today are what your grandparents called eloping in their youth and, these days, more than ten percent of �brides and grooms opt for wedding ceremonies away from where the bride (or groom) lives or grew up.
����������� These away-from-home weddings have grown in popularity since the early 1990s. And because of its flexibility, a ceremony in a foreign or unusual locale is the choice of many for a variety of reasons.�
����������� Christina Kosta, editor of "Destination Weddings & Honeymoons magazine said, "Some couples getting remarried are looking for an alternate wedding style than the formal one they had the first time.� Another reason is that couples are getting married later.� They've traveled more.� They're generally more sophisticated."� Even first-time couples, who don't want all the hoopla of a big wedding, are attracted to the often simpler ceremony and less formality of a destination wedding.�
����������� And if budget concerns are what keeps you from chosing the destination of your dreams, you'll be happy to know they're actually more affordable.�
����������� Since the average wedding currently costs $20,000 it's helpful to know that the a typical destination wedding is $5,000.
����������� How is that possible?� It has to do with the wedding size. On average, a destination wedding involves 50 guests or less in attendance.� Whereas a typical stateside wedding will have 150-200 guests invited to an elegant reception.
����������� If you think your family and friends will be disappointed because they weren't invited, you can always host a party on your return. And, since it's not an actual wedding reception, you can choose a more casual, less expensive approach to the event.
����������� There are other cost advantages too. Since many of these ceremonies take place in a colorful locale, additional decorations may not be needed. Also, standard sit-down dinners and cocktail gathers usually replace multi-course reception extravaganzas.
����������� And, while you may wish to pick up the tab for your attendants' rooms, they and your guests will be paying for their airfare and other expenses.� This, too, results in a huge savings.
����������� Knowing the advantages, are you destined for a destination wedding?
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