Amongst the bajillion decisions there are to be made before your wedding day there lies the big one - destination wedding...local wedding. Which one?

Before you decide on either, you should consider some of the pros and cons of a destination wedding to get a better idea of whether an epic vacation with (mostly) all your favorite people celebrating your love not only for a few hours but days is the right choice for you and your SO. 

The Guest List 

Pro: 

With a smaller guest list your wedding is going to feel more intimate and you may even save some money on your reception. On top of this, you will feel extra loved seeing the effort your friends and family put into traveling and taking time off to be there for you on your special day. 

Con:

On the flip side, it may happen that some of the people you wish were there can’t make it. Nonetheless, they can always share the experience through your photos and video. Wedding videos capture the essence of your day in a powerful way, just try watching a few of ours here without crying. And for those who have always dreamt of having every person in your life at your wedding, you will probably be disappointed when only a handful of guests show. 

Planning 

Pro: 

Destination weddings often mean an all inclusive route. This can make planning your wedding much simpler, as there are fewer options, and you won’t have to contract various vendors. It can also be a bit easier to manage your budget so you can make sure to include some fun activities! If an all inclusive option doesn’t sound right for you, check out the Pros and Cons of an Airbnb Wedding & our list of Wedding Planners in Costa Rica.

Con: 

If you decide not to hire a wedding planner or take the all inclusive route, planning can get pretty complicated trying to coordinate everything long distance. Keep in mind that you are doing business in a foreign culture and English may not be their first language depending on where you are going. It can also be difficult to know for sure that the vendors you are contracting are reputable and trustworthy. 

Vacation with Friends & Family

Pro: 

I personally had a Destination Wedding in Costa Rica and the absolute best part about it wasn’t that my flowers were seriously on point, my dress was fire, or even the beautiful beaches. It was the fact that the people I loved the most had taken a week out of their busy lives (and a fat wad of mula) to celebrate this special time with me. We still reminisce about that incredibly memorable and meaningful time we spent experiencing a new country, culture, and breathtaking views together. 

Con:

Isn’t planning a wedding stressful enough? How about coordinating a vacation with a group of people, all who have their own preferences and needs? Try planning both at the same time!! It’s actually a little bit crazy, but it’s totally worth it. Just breath and follow this Destination Wedding Timeline Planner and you will be just fine. 

Photos and Video 

Good news, there is only a pro… I guess the pros do outweigh the cons after all! Your destination will be stunning and that can only mean incredible shots! Weddings take months and months to plan and before you know it, it’s. all. over. Which is both a relief and a bit of a downer. Your life has been revolving around this one event for so long, and just like that, you are adjusting back to your 9 to 5. You get back into the ebb and flow of routine and wish to relive those sweet moments of excitement, connection, and adventure. That is why it is so important to have photos and a wedding video you will absolutely love to bring you back to the way you felt as your love story of becoming one began. That’s what we make our wedding videos all about. At El Ancla wedding films we are committed to capturing your moments worth remembering and we hope to be there on your special day!