Ah, the lure of a destination wedding! The romance of vows exchanged on a white sand beach while the waves crash just beyond. The breathtaking views of nuptials amidst a pristine mountain backdrop. Or, even the promise of excitement that comes with jetting off with your family and friends to tie the knot in an exotic locale. No matter how your destination wedding is pulled off, these shindigs bring the drama!

Planning your wedding in parts unknown definitely sounds like a great idea, and, for many couples, it’s exactly the right decision when it comes to starting married life together. However, before you book your plane tickets, let’s run down the good and maybe not-so-good of the destination wedding. After all, wedding planning is stressful enough, so let’s be sure you know what you’re getting into before you tackle it without the luxury of the home-field advantage.

Why a destination wedding is fab.

1. The photos will be amazing! This is perhaps stating the obvious, but let’s be real. Any couple considering taking their nuptials out of town is dreaming of how those bridal shots will look against a dreamy backdrop.

2. The wedding can double as a vacation and possibly set the scene for the honeymoon, as well. After all, if you’re going to all the expense of traveling for your wedding, you may as well make the most of your stay there. Your guests may enjoy a few days of sightseeing too.

3. An all-inclusive resort can be a real stress saver. In addition to the excitement of jetting off to get married, many popular spots offer all-inclusive wedding packages, leaving betrothed couples with little more to do than making a few decisions, paying the bill, and having a blast. Can you say relaxed?

4. It may save you money. Bet you didn’t expect that one, huh? It’s true though. Because destination weddings are so popular, many resorts offer discounts the more guests that come, or they offer you lower prices if you book your honeymoon there, as well.

Why it may be more your style to stay local.

1. Many of your guests may not be able to attend. In some cases, there will be no way to get around this. Some folks simply won’t be able to carve out the time in their schedule for wedding-related travel, while others won’t be able to afford it. Think long and hard about who you want at your wedding and make sure they can be there before you book.

2. You have to learn to let go when it comes to some of the details. Not being able to tour your venue or sample catering choices may be too much for couples who feel more comfortable with a hands-on approach to wedding planning. What’s more, you may have to fully rely on a wedding planner based in your destination location to make some of your most important decisions. Not only does that take putting your trust into someone you may not know, it comes at a cost you may be able to avoid by throwing a hometown bash.

3. Your guests may expect to spend more time with you and your new spouse after the wedding. If people have taken time and spent money to attend your wedding, they might not be satisfied with only socializing with the happy couple during the actual nuptials. As a result, you may find yourself planning an after-the-wedding-day brunch with family and friends when all you want to do is snuggle with your honey.

4. Going international comes with its own set of challenges. If you thought surrendering control to a wedding planner was tough, it may be even tougher to jump through the legal hoops—not to mention the potential language barrier—you may face when getting hitched in another country. For many couples going this route, hiring a local expert to ensure you follow the law and that your wedding is actually legit is an expense you can’t skimp on.

Now, lest we forget that we are in the midst of a pandemic, let’s be sure we are aware of how to plan a destination wedding while taking COVID-19 into account. Here are a few things to consider if you’re planning to take your wedding on the road.

1. Air travel is still tricky, what with mask requirements and the potential of being in an enclosed space with unvaccinated people. With this in mind, try to give people as much time as possible to get vaccinated or to make other arrangements for young children or those who cannot receive the vaccine.

2. Consider a destination people can drive to. If some of your guests won’t agree to take the vaccine, but you really want them there, avoid conflict by finding a beautiful wedding-worthy spot that is within driving distance but still requires an overnight stay to keep the “destination” factor in play.

3. Keep costs in mind. As airlines look to recoup pandemic-related losses, many companies are charging higher-than-usual prices for flights. Consider your location and give people ample time to book to ensure they land the best possible price.

4. Book ASAP. Although we are still suffering from the pandemic, the wedding industry is recording record interest as people look to get back to normal and others who canceled their affairs in 2020 or even as late as summer 2021 are ready to move forward. “Whether you’re doing this by yourself or with a planner, you’ll want to book many of your vendors simultaneously with your venue to guarantee availability,” said Alison Laesser-Keck, an event producer and creative director in California, during an interview with Brides magazine.

 A destination wedding can mean unique and beautiful memories not only for the bride and groom but a wonderful experience for guests, as well. Before you take the leap and dash off, consider the pros and cons of such an undertaking. Whatever your decision, be it a wedding across the pond or right in your own backyard, make the decision that best suits your vision of your big day!