CHARLOTTE, N.C. — With the average wedding in Charlotte costing $27,000, having a destination wedding can be a dream come true. But it can also be a budget nightmare.
Wedding planners like Yana D say that since the pandemic, the demand for weddings has gone wild.
"It's bounced back pretty fast and was a speed that we hardly can even manage," Yana D said. "The demand is so high because people were not doing weddings, conferences, gatherings, birthdays for nearly two years."
Yana said she understands the allure of a destination wedding.
"Beautiful views, maybe something on the cliff. That's mainly why people are traveling to get that feeling," she said.
A destination wedding can be budget-friendly if couples are willing to go with an intimate celebration.
"They give these rentals for like, a very small amount of money, will be even within 6000 Euros."
Even though the price might be agreeable, it could cost in other ways.
"The downside of having a destination wedding is, of course, a logistical nightmare, especially when you have to transfer many guests and there are no direct flights."
Not everyone can afford the plane ticket, let alone, a hotel stay for multiple nights.
"The majority of guests may not be able to come and that will make them upset because they will of course want to celebrate with their loved ones," Yana said.
If you can go without extra guests, Yana said there is a reason people are preferring the experience over a traditional wedding.
She added, just make sure it's the right time of year.
"When they choose destination weddings and the seasons, it's very important for them to choose the right weather season. So they're not stuck in, let's say, tsunami, hurricane or rainy season."
When planning a destination wedding, in addition to the price of flights and hotel stay, Yana pointed towards venue, catering, and decorations as part of a couple's budget.
She said for big celebrations, couples should plan eight to nine months ahead of time.
For a small gathering, Yana said it could take as little as a month to plan a destination wedding.