More couples are saying “I do” to exotic wedding destination locations in place of traditional church weddings. According to the 2023 Destination Wedding Global Market Report, the destination wedding industry is projected to grow from $27.6 billion in 2023 to $36 billion this year.
Mexico tops the list of tropical locations selected by engaged couples, with the Riviera Maya, Akumal/Tulum and Cabo San Lucas areas leading the list, followed by the Dominican Republic and Jamaica. Guests usually spend an average of four nights and $2,000 to attend a destination wedding, and all-inclusive resorts offer nuptial planning packages that take the stress out of wedding planning. “It’s definitely a trend I’m seeing,” said Colleen Peterson, owner of Greensburg-based Port of Call Travel.
Meet Pittsburgh-area couples who chose travel over tradition for their nuptials. Barefoot brides Nicolette Drag of Tarentum had her dream wedding planned her entire life. “I wanted a barn wedding and to wear my cowboy boots,” Drag said.
But a trip to a local wedding expo with her fiance, Andrew, changed both of their minds. They chatted at a booth for Sandals, an all-inclusive resort, and decided to forgo their Pittsburgh wedding plans and book a destination wedding trip and invite 16 guests. “We decided for two reasons: It was too expensive, and my husband’s mother had died and we wanted it to be a happy time for the whole family,” Drag said.
The Drags booked a weeklong wedding packa.