There is absolutely NOTHING like the beauties found up and down the golden state of the West Coast. I'll be honest.. I'm a completely biased, California baby who can't imagine living in a place that is more beautiful. Whether the Mojave Desert calls your name with it's funky Joshua Trees or the jaw-dropping cliffs of the Northern Coast fill your heart with an inexplicable joy... (and that's just getting us started on all the options!), if you find yourself dreaming of starting your forever in this state-I GET IT. I think that California destination weddings are the ultimate way to say 'I do.' Pros and cons of destination weddings in California
However, I also know that reality exists and everyone has a unique journey to walk through... so this might not necessarily be the right wedding plan for you. BEFORE you cancel it out though... at least pause and really consider your options. So many people choose to believe that this type of wedding is just automatically not possible for them, no matter how deeply they want it. That honestly breaks my heart because it might actually be more achievable than you'd think!
I took the time to write out a quick list of pros and cons for California destination-based weddings so that you could take the time to consider your options from an informed point of view!
Looking to get married in California? Need a photographer to help you along the way ? Come check out my work and send me a message! I'd love to see if we are a good fit.
Pros and Cons for having a California destination wedding:
Pros and Cons of having a California destination wedding explained:
01. More quality time with your favorite people... but it also demands more time spent away from home.
The beauty of California destination weddings are that they gather all of your people on one big vacation together!! Traditional weddings limit everything to one big, full day.. which is great, but why not make it a week or a full weekend event?
One of my favorite weddings that I captured was at a resort near Yosemite National Park. The entire guest list all came up three days before the actual wedding and explored the park together! From college besties, to grandma and grandpa... everyone got to hang out and spend meaningful time together. It took all the pressure off of the main day because they and all already been spending time with the bride and groom... the memories they all made together were AMAZING.
Of course, the obvious downfall to this is that everyone will have to take time off of work to make this happen, but you'd be surprised how many people will find it worth it-especially if they see it as an opportunity to go on a family vacation together and not just travel for a single wedding day.
02. It encourages a more intimate guest list... but is less accessible.
The trend of having big giant guests lists is OUT and intimate, special guest counts are IN... and I am here for it! Putting together your guest list can be one of the hardest parts of wedding planning (especially if you want to keep it small). Having a California destination wedding allows you to easily keep the list smaller! Less people are willing to travel for you... which, depending on the couple can be a good or bad thing!
Of course, it is important to consider who your people are that you want to ensure do attend the wedding. Can grandma travel? Is it in your best friend's budget? These can be potential pitfalls, but they are probably not as big of problems as you are thinking! It's worth having a conversation with those special individuals to see what they can do.
A location-based wedding justifies the small number for your guest list so that you can easily get out of those sticky conversations with outliers who didn't make the cut. This smaller guest count also makes a wedding day WAY less overwhelming and much more intentional. You get to actually spend quality time with your quality people instead of having obligations fill your time.
03. Your venue will be AMAZING (and so will your photos! 😉)... but you are more limited on how physically present you can be during the planning process.
As a photographer... I cannot emphasize this enough: your wedding photos will only be as good as your venue! It doesn't matter how good your photographer is, they can't change the subject they are photographing. Also, your venue sets the entire tone for the entire wedding experience in a way that no decor can make up for. California destination weddings have the ULTIMATE venues because... how can you beat the natural beauty that this wonderful state offers?
The one pitfall to this is the limited access you will have to that location while you are planning! Depending on the route you take (i.e. if you have a wedding planner or it's DIY), sometimes a good visual helps with setting up the details of your big day. It can be tricky to work around not being physically present for the planning process.
I will say, however, that choosing a naturally beautiful venue cuts down on the planning that is needed! Who needs decor with the beach as your backdrop? You will find that even though that dynamic is tricky... the planning you are doing is much less than a traditional venue.
04. The entire weddings organically becomes more about the couple getting married... but you might need to let go of some traditions.
While certain wedding traditions are super beautiful, the entire wedding experience has become overwhelmed with them. Many couples feel burdened and frustrated by the expectations put on them for their wedding day. For some reason, destination weddings unlock that and reduce the expectations! I am not sure if it's because these type of weddings are already so different or of it's something else altogether, but they seem to be freer. Every location-based wedding that I have worked have uniquely stood out by remaining focused on the people and the marriage... no traditions incorporated seem to be a burden, but are rather more intentional!
California destination weddings can be physically limiting for certain kinds of traditions.. Depending on who you are, that might be a good or bad thing. It is worth it to take the time and evaluate which traditions matter most to you and if its possible to maintain those in your wedding plans.
05. It's an excuse to visit your favorite place over and over again... but you might have to visit more than once while planning.
One of the things that I love about California destination weddings is that California becomes officially an important part of your story! It is the place you tell your kids about.. that you visit on significant anniversaries.. it is permeated into your story and that can only be a good thing!
That might mean that you are visiting while planning the wedding too! I personally don't see that as a bad thing? Why not find every excuse to be in the place you love? Buut logistically, it might be worth considering.
06. California's weather allows you to get married all year round... but it can be confusing to understand if you aren't familiar with this state already.
I will bet the first to confess... I am a TOTAL baby when it comes to bad weather. But it's because California rarely has any! This is a major perk when it comes to planning a wedding because you can basically get married all year round. Depending on which part of California you are getting married in.. there is sometimes rain, but not in the traditional seasons. For example, my husband and I got married the week before Halloween... in October and we had 85 degree weather and sunshine! There was not a single cloud in the sky. Meanwhile, it rained on a June wedding that I had documented this past year.
This can make it a bit confusing when it comes to planning your California destination wedding... especially if you are new to the California ways, but it's not too confusing! Ask your local vendors to guide you. And honestly, I'm not mad about a little rain on a wedding day! It makes everything beautifully romantic and memorable if you just embrace the mild rains that we do get.
07. You can save money on your honeymoon!... but you might run into your guests there too.
The many conveniences of not having to travel to your honeymoon after your wedding are extensive. That could be it's own point of conversation altogether! You don't need to pay for another airplane ticket or other travel expenses.. you can just already be where you are and it's done!
I would recommend traveling a little bit though.. because you might not be the only person from your wedding who decides to extend their trip.. and no one wants to see Auntie Bev on their honeymoon!
08. You can save money in general... but it might cost your guests more.
According to DestinationWedding.com, the average hometown wedding costs around $30-40,000 per wedding. On the other hand, the average wedding abroad costs around $10,000. Destination weddings, surprisingly, tend to cost much less! I am sure that much of this is because destination weddings tend to have less "add-ons" than a traditional wedding. Those details can really sneak up on you!
Of course, California is always going to be on the more expensive side and it will cost your guests more. They will have to use PTO, travel with their families, and all the other expenses that come along with it. However, you'd be surprised how many people don't mind! They see it as an awesome vacation opportunity that is worth it for their families to attend. You are just giving them the excuse to finally do it.
09. California has SO MANY good places to get married!... but they require travel which can be hard to do with a wedding dress!
In case you missed it before... California is amazing and beautiful and has so much variety! You can choose so many different types of settings to have your wedding. From mountain forests, to beautiful lakes.. I could go on and on. (I probably will in another blog post later. 😉) But... those beautiful places do require travel. Not all of them are easily accessible from the airport. And you have a giant wedding dress traveling with you. It will most definitely demand extra forethought on all the logistics for all yoru wedding decor, but it's not impossible. People do it every every and they have beautiful weddings in beautiful places. You can too! It just demands more intentionality.
10. The wedding itself is just simpler... but you will deal with the stress of traveling.
When it comes to comparing stress levels between both hometown and destination weddings, it's hard to compare. Stress is inevitable in wedding planning.. but they look really different with each wedding type. Destination weddings have th advatage of simplicity. Choosing a venue that is organically stunning will slim down the little things that you feel like you need to do. It is naturally a much simpler and stripped down experience that is more people and experience focused.. less like an event.
However, by saying goodbye to local event stressors.. you are saying hello to travel stress. Depending on the person, that could be the worse kind of stress to deal with. For others? It is actually preferred. By the time you arrive to the location three days before your big day... all the stress is over and you are there-perfectly present and ready to participate in your day.
11. The vast amounts of diversity, culture, and options in California are amazing. No buts.
I don't have any cons for this one, but it is definitely worth mentioning the amazing food and culture that California offers. No matter who you are and where your family is from.. there is a vendor around who understands and can make your unique celebration moments happen. Did I mention the unlimited food options??
12. Whatever vibes you are wanting for your wedding day, California has it. No buts.
Finally... I have to mention the admirable flexibility that comes with California culture. It is an incredibly flexible culture that embraces both the casual and formal forms of wedding days. It is a home base for new trends and funky experiments.. no matter whan vibes you want your big day to be, it will not surprise or phase California at all. We have super casual weddings with jeans and costumes.. and we have the fancy four piece suit events. Your wedding day can truly be what you make it to be - no questions asked,
I know I am super partial... but California is just amazing and if you are wondering if you can pull it off.. YOU CAN. Come have a destination wedding in California. You will love it here.
Also, if you are still wrestling through it and need someone to talk to? Send me a message! I would love to continue to be part of your wedding plannign journey in any way that I can. It is my passion to see couples enjoy the very best wedding experience that YOU want to have. <3 <3 <3
Other resources that might benefit you:
Legal + Planning Resources for California Elopements
Pros and Cons for Local verse Destination Weddings in general
Destination Wedding Costs
Pros and Cons of Destination Weddings by Brides.com
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