Mainers know there is a magnetic lure to our state for important special occasions.
Our seasons offer a natural backdrop for weddings, with a variety of locations from countryside barns to seaside resorts to city rooftops. So, what then is the appeal of a destination wedding in a far off place and why is it on the top of many local couples’ wishlists?
According to Chris Dube, President of Dube Travel in Auburn, destination weddings appeal to couples who previously attended one and liked the vibe or they may have fallen in love or gotten engaged someplace and want to marry there. Perhaps they want to do something with “Bucket List” appeal that includes close family and friends.
By the numbers: Destination wedding and honeymoons, provided by Dube Travel
- The market potential of this niche is huge – the U.S. destination wedding market is expected to grow to over $6.8 billion dollars over the next decade
- 2.6 million weddings occur every year in North America and 90% include a honeymoon
- 350,000 destination weddings take place every year and 50 guests attend on average. About one-third of destination wedding guests take an extended vacation after the festivities end
“This (destination weddings) is such a growing part of our business that we recently completed a Destination Wedding and Honeymoon certification program. It was structured as a 14-part travel module that we had to complete in two years,” Dube said. “We went to Cancun for a mock wedding and got training. We went to Curaçao to experience the honeymoon options. There’s a lot to learn about what’s ideal for one couple from the next, plus everything we need to know to advise people and help them make choices.”
Through an intake form and conversation, Dube offers as much consultation as necessary to narrow down the wedding destination and honeymoon. His agency has coordinated weddings in Ireland and Italy, with the majority of interest being the Caribbean islands
Travel agencies like Dube’s can offer guidance regarding the necessary paperwork and requirements to get married legally outside of the United States. For example, in most cases, the couple needs to fulfill a residency requirement of being in the county for 24-hours to three days.
By working with a destination property company with several locations, Dube’s can offer tiers of wedding packages from the most basic to all-inclusive multi-day events. They work with the wedding coordinator at a destination property, coordinating transportation from an airport to the property for guests – a headache no bride or groom should have to deal with at any wedding locale.
“From there, the property will finalize and execute whatever package and add-on options the couple purchased,” he said. Compared to stateside prices, the ceremony and reception can be surprisingly affordable for couples, but Dube cautions that the downside of a destination wedding is that not everyone may be able to attend and the lower price point of the ceremony and reception doesn’t mean extra guest savings.
“Guests who have to book travel and lodging, plan days off, and all of that… It can be the best time ever or it could create tension,” he said. “But in the end, it’s the couple’s day.”
When planning any trip overseas, working with a professional helps keep you safe and typically offers cancellation and insurance plans. Be sure to seek this expertise at a local travel agency who will want to see all your pictures when you return.