Natwerk Designs

Torn About a Destination Wedding?

I'm really traditional when it comes to my view of weddings. I have to be married in a church, that's not up for discussion (Fi feels the same) and I want my family and friends there. I'm prepared to pay a good chunk of change for a traditional wedding at home. As I look around for ideas online, I always see the most beautiful pictures of destination weddings. I would love to be married in Key West and I even found a beautiful church for the ceremony. It's only a $500 deposit. I've found several nice wedding packages for about $5,000 which include food, drinks, music and pictures. As much as I am deadest on having a traditional church wedding at home, my mind keeps wandering back to the beautiful scenery of Key West and the gorgeous church I found. I know that many of my family and friends, as well as my fiance's family and friends do not have the means to travel. We can pay for 1-2 nights of accommodations. I found a few vacation condos with 2 bedrooms/2 bathrooms that sleep up to 6 people. We could rent out 4 of those for maybe 2 nights, but everyone is coming from such a far distance (New York), that I couldn't see people traveling all that way and leaving after 2 days. Plus, we would be unable to pay for airfare to Miami and then the car rentals for people to drive to Key West. So, part of me is thinking my idea it too far-fetched and I'm better of just going with my original idea. But, I'm totally in love with Key West right now. Anyone been in a similar situation? What did you end up deciding to do?

Public Comments

1. my suggestion would be go with key west if that is what you love and only have your CLOSEST family and freinds. when you get back home have a small reception for the ones who were not able to be there. Its your day something you will remember forever and if you dont go with what you want you will end up regretting it hope that helps congrats and good luck
2. Your decision depends on your ability to pay for a destination wedding. If you cannot afford it, then it is not an option.
3. Have a small traditional wedding at home. Then have a honeymoon in the keys !
4. Key West is my favorite place in the world! My husband and I live there about 6 months out of the year!! If you plan well and invite only your closest family a Key West wedding is possible. First off you can cut some expenses by flying directly into Key West and not Miami. Key West Airport is International and therefore most airlines fly directly into Key West cheaper than into Miami. If you go through a Travel Agency you will be able to find Condos cheaper than on your own. There are many people who own Time Share and are willing to rent their Condos for a full week as what you could rent one for 2 nights on your own. Time Share in Key West is a big business. Check around. I am not sure what church you found in Key West, but there are many that are beautiful and would make a beautiful ceremony! My husband and I both love to scuba dive and when we decided to get married there was no where else that would work for us except Key West! We chartered one of the large Sail Boats and went out on the ocean at sunset. Since the ships captain was an capable of marrying us, he performed the ceremony. We only had 2 other people with us; my Maid of Honor and his Best Man. We split the costs of the Condo and was able to stay a full week and actually have our honeymoon there as well. They went their way and we went ours. That's the nice thing about getting a Condo. You can all stay there together but still everyone has their privacy. If you were to take this approach maybe you could have a very small wedding when you got back home so that the entire family could be there and then have a nice reception after wards. I don't know how much time you have to plan this all out, but I assure you it can be done; even with a minimum budget. You just have do some research and planning! Congratulations and good luck! No matter what you decide in the end it will be a day you remember for the rest of your life, so try to make be what you really want it to be.
5. My daughter got married on Key West - the wedding was on the Schooner Appledore during a sunset cruise, the captain of the ship married them, and his friend took pictures. The rehearsal dinner was at the gorgeous outdoor restaurant, the Blue Heaven. After the wedding, we all went out to dinner. The bride and groom rode a rented white motor scooter to the restaurant. With the bride and groom, there were seven of us who traveled to the wedding. Three weeks after the wedding, we had a reception for 100 people at a B and B in the city where we were living then. The bride and groom wore their wedding clothes. It was wonderful.
6. I think you should have a nice wedding at home, then go on a fab honeymoon to Key West.
7. It sounds like you really love the Key West idea for your wedding, so I say you should seriously try it. Sometimes a destination wedding does not cost as much as a large, traditional wedding-which is surprising. It's true that your guests will have to travel down there, but consider pruning your guest list to those family and friends who are very close to you. If they really want to be at your wedding, they will travel all that way for 2 days. It's do-able. If not, consider having a reception dinner party at home with those who couldn't make it (as someone else suggested). When we got married (22 yrs. ago), more than half of our guests there were just business associates of my Dad or husband and we don't even talk to most of them now. I wish I had invited only those I really was close to instead-it becomes more meaningful and intimate. And a destination wedding is the perfect excuse to need to do that. Also, see about renting a vacation home for guests from one of the vacation rentals sites online. Sometimes you can rent a larger house for your family and/or wedding party, offer to split the cost if you can't pay for it all. Go for your dreams, you may wish you did it years from now! I offer more suggestions for a beach wedding and information on the best destination weddings on my wedding site: http://www.bellabeachweddings.com/best-destination-weddings.html
8. Go with the destination. That way, you really control the guest list, you only have your nearest and dearest there. I would rather pay for a hotel stay for my parents and best friends, rather than booze and pricey but not-that-good food for a 3rd cousin I've never met but had to invite because that's what you do when you have a wedding at home. Your wedding will feel more like a celebration of love, friendship and family, and less like a show.