Why Choose a Vacation Rental as the Venue for your Destination Wedding

Written by Kimberly from idoDestination.com

When I first began planning my own destination wedding, I was surprised to find that destination weddings are actually more cost effective than traditional weddings. But it's true – although there are travel expenses, you are not feeding & entertaining 200 people. Because of the distance involved, destination weddings are typically smaller & more intimate. Because they typically take place with gorgeous natural scenery as backdrop, the need for flowers & decorations is minimal.

My biggest concern when starting to plan a destination wedding was gawking onlookers. I was worried about having our destination wedding at a popular (but affordable) resort, because of all the other visitors to the resort. One of the big reasons for choosing a destination wedding was to have a small, intimate ceremony – not one where 50 sunbathers were invited. Then the idea occurred to begin looking at vacation rentals. It seemed like the perfect solution.

This is NOT what you want to see at a destination wedding.  
Vacation rentals can offer more privacy than crowded resorts.  (Photo credit unknown)

1. I could find a vacation rental with a semi-private beach or beach view, easing my concerns about onlookers, and allowing me to choose the exact site for the wedding.

2. Most vacation rentals rent for the entire week, so not only would the ceremony site be covered, but accommodations for our family & wedding party would be too, and we would have a place for dinners & gatherings.

3. The shared vacation rental home would encourage socializing between our families that were traveling with us.

4. The cost is very affordable. You can rent a nice vacation rental for $2,000 - $10,000 per week. Most vacation rentals that allow destination weddings charge a minimal extra fee for a ceremony at their property, if any fee at all. In comparison, the major name-brand resort we looked at started at $5,000 just to have the ceremony on their property – without any accommodations included.

5. There were more options for food & celebration. We could bring in a private chef to cook for a small party, or have catering from a local restaurant. 

In short, using a vacation rental for your destination wedding is like getting everything (accommodations, ceremony site, reception site) in one low price, without compromising the beauty of a destination wedding.

Did you have your destination wedding at a vacation rental, or are you planning a destination wedding at a vacation rental? We'd love to hear your comments & stories!