Should You Consider a Destination Wedding?

For many couples, their wedding celebration is a chance to bring together friends and family from near and far. However, with growing concern about traveling to the States–some countries are urging caution to their citizens when visiting the U.S. Canada, Germany, The United Kingdom, Denmark, Finland and France have all issued Travel Advisory Warnings, citing a slew of recent customs & immigration disturbances for travelers.

Talk of tariffs has created rifts with a variety of US trade and tourism allies and many travelers are choosing to spend their dollars elsewhere. Normally reliable and robust Canadian tourism rates have dropped swiftly and significantly. For some, even a special wedding won’t convince them to cross that border. Industry experts are forecasting an overall decline in tourism to the US, with an 11% drop in March 2025 alone.

On the heels of the post-covid surge of travel, the destination wedding trend continues to grow globally year over year, with the market opportunity projected to almost double in the next decade from $34B in 2024 to $68B by 2035, according to news sources. A destination wedding allows couples to harness the novelty (and neutrality) of an exciting location and craft a unique and unforgettable experience for their loved ones. Guestlists naturally tend to be smaller when factoring the cost of airfare & accommodations, but vibrant local culture & cuisine can transform a wedding into a vacation for everyone.

Mexico and the Caribbean usually top the list for US couples based on price and proximity, but Europe is gaining momentum. The Knot’s most recent study found that 44% of weddings took place in Mexico, 18% were in the Caribbean and 20% were in Europe. 

From sunset drenched beaches to picturesque villas and castles, idyllic venues dressed with the natural beauty of the destination create incredible canvases for wedding imagery. When choosing your venue, trust a seasoned planner like Center of Attention. With our well-connected network of tourism professionals and international vendors, we can help take the guess work out of your wedding journey.

Selecting the venue is only the beginning. Organizing group travel on your own can be daunting but Center of Attention is a member of the Association of Bridal Consultants, working with local lodging providers to get you the best price for your room block. Piece by piece we can help you assemble your paradise puzzle.