Making Destination Weddings Standout

April 24, 2015By: Weddings by Palladium, Palladium Hotels & Resorts

The allure of traveling with the one you love with (or without) friends and family to a location beyond your home state continues to be the ideal way to wed for many brides and grooms. Some 24 percent of couples had a destination wedding in 2012, the most recent statistics available, according to The Knot 2013 Destination Weddings Study.

The #1 reason for choosing a destination wedding for brides and grooms is that they “wanted a special, fun or exotic locale,” says the study. A recent 2015 wedding trends report from The Knot adds that couples are seeking “unexpected wedding venues” this year.

To follow are some ideas for brides and grooms looking for a twist on their destination wedding in hopes of making their special day truly standout.

Cultural Feel

Having an “Ethnic Flavor” was among the top ways couples described their international destination wedding in The Knot survey. Following a rise in South

Asian couples to their Jamaican properties, Palladium Hotels & Resorts created a package that combines a destination wedding on the beach with South Asian traditions to cater to this market. The “Shaadi Royal Bliss” multi-day package features four deluxe events including a Goddess Mehndi party, a Sargeet/Angeet/Garba music night with Pitti, a Baraat procession and marriage ceremony, and a Vivah wedding reception and dinner. The package is available at The Grand Palladium Lady Hamilton Resort & Spa and the Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort & Spa, both outside of Montego Bay.

Authentic Mexico

International weddings are on the rise—up 30 percent, and are close to being equal to the number of domestic events, according to The Knot study. Both Jamaica and Mexico rank high among the top international locations for destination weddings.

Ideas for a destination wedding in Mexico can include a beachside ceremony with cultural elements included, such as a mariachi band, at an all-inclusive resort. Off-property locations in Mexico can include Colonial churches and archaeological sites.

Go Green

Another way to make a destination wedding unique as well as environmentally-friendly is to plan a green wedding. Brides and grooms should ask their vendors, venue or resort what their green practices are, including protecting nature, conserving energy and using local and sustainable products and materials where possible.

Adding the Personal Pizazz

Most couples marrying internationally are buying packages that take advantage of complementary offers, according to The Knot study, but that doesn’t mean they don’t want choice. Many resorts are asking well-known wedding designers to create programs that give brides and grooms the ability to purchase a package for stress-free planning, but with some customizable options to make their wedding day their own.

Wedding designer Karen Bussen created the “Simple Stunning” wedding program—named after her series of books—for Palladium Hotels & Resorts. The “Simple Stunning Signature Wedding” package, for example, includes such items as the vow space, flowers, decorations and the wedding cake, and from there the bridal couple may choose with the help of a professional wedding coordinator from Bussen’s design and décor ideas, events and color schemes to put their personal touch on the nuptials.