It seems as if every several weeks, there’s another country that opens its arms to same-sex couples and, with that, we’re seeing exciting growth with the number of LGBT couples who choose to celebrate their wedding away from home.
So what LGBT wedding trends are catching our eyes this season?
The road less traveled
While tropical weddings will always be a classic choice, couples are beginning to expand their sights and are looking outside the box when it comes to selecting their destination. Some couples want an adventure out of their wedding experience and choose more unique wedding locales, such as Capetown, Barcelona, Paris, and New Zealand. With marriage equality recently legalized in the US, we’re seeing a rise in domestic locations, including Florida, New York, and Hawaii, among others.
Keep it local
What’s better than incorporating the local cuisine and culture into the big day? Not only does it give the couple and their guests a unique fusion experience and a taste of the region, but it also can result in savings.
Trip within a trip
Excursions are also becoming increasingly common, with couples adding such adventures as ATV tours, horseback riding along the beach, catamaran cruises complete with snorkeling amidst beautiful coral reefs and wine tastings to their stays. These days, the entire stay is often captured, as wedding photographers are now also being booked to shoot these adventures, alongside the ceremony and reception. And even without the photographer along, couples appreciate that destination weddings lend themselves to endless photo opportunities given the idyllic background and endless experiences provided in comparison to one-day affairs held at home.
Head start on their honeymoon
For most, a destination wedding is seen as a ‘head start’ to an exciting honeymoon adventure. Some brides and grooms prefer to stay at the same resort as their wedding, while others venture off to exclusive villas to try something new while still enjoying the cost savings.
If there’s one thing to know, it’s that the perfect destination awaits every couple. Research is a key component to providing couples with their dream destination wedding, so it’s vital to understand legal and political environments for potential locations.
As we continue to see LGBT couples celebrate their love from different corners of the world, we look forward to seeing what else is in store for same-sex destination weddings.
