In addition to offering gorgeous scenery and one-of-a-kind experiences, destination weddings also offer a wonderful opportunity for family and friends to bond over the course of several days.
But before you book flights or lock in a venue, there are several factors you should consider – first and foremost, whether your dream locale is affordable and accessible to the majority of your guests.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
“If your guests can afford a weeklong trip to Italy, awesome, do it, but if they can’t, you can’t expect them to be there,” says wedding and event planner Catherine Campo of Spellbinding Soirées. “Also think about accessibility. Is [the destination] near an airport? Can guests drive if they’re unable to fly? Is your grandma who’s in a walker able to get to the ceremony location?”
Some couples livestream the wedding or make a video so nobody misses out.
For convenience, consider an all-inclusive resort, where you can choose a one-stop-shop package that may include a wedding planner. But before signing the contract, review it for hidden costs in food and beverage minimums, approved vendors and minimum number of nights booked. “If you have to have a $6,000 food and beverage minimum, you’re not going to do that for 20 guests,” says Campo. “All-inclusive resorts have restrictions on vendors you can use. … [They] can be more expensive than another local vendor or a vendor traveling from your hometown.”
One major way to save money is in the date. “In the busy season in the Caribbean it’s going to be a lot more expensive than the off season. They upcharge everything,” says Campo, adding that getting married on a weekday is typically more economical.
3 Easy-Access Ideas
Door County, Wisconsin
Craving a beachside ceremony or a farm-chic setting? Door County is an approximately three-hour drive from Milwaukee, with miles of gorgeous shoreline, cherry and apple orchards, family-owned farms and cute cabin rentals. Host a ceremony for 20-30 guests at the Norwegian stavkirke-style Boynton Chapel on Lawrence University’s Björklunden campus tucked into the woods near Baileys Harbor (lawrence.edu). The ultra-modern Donald and Carol Kress Pavilion (kresspavilion.org) in Egg Harbor accommodates 150 people. Its wraparound deck is perfect for viewing amazing sunsets.
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Hugging the Pacific Ocean, the weather’s always gorgeous here – although the dry season from November through May is a favorite. Avoid the sight-unseen conundrum with Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta (hyatt.com), an all-inclusive resort flaunting 10 bars, restaurants and lounges. Its $500 two-night getaway can be credited to your eventual wedding. Venues range from 500 people on the beach with table service and a dance floor to 80 people in the glass-walled oceanfront penthouse – or even as few as 10 people.
Arizona
Direct four-hour flights from Milwaukee to Phoenix make accessing this desert destination a breeze – and you’re unlikely to get rained out. One Milwaukee couple recently hosted their wedding in Apache Junction, about 40 minutes from Phoenix, where The Paseo (thepaseovenue.com) is a popular venue for many reasons: it’s private, boasts outdoor and indoor spaces, has an on-site coordinator, and is at the foot of the Superstition Mountains.
