WEARING: Topshop Dress | Jeffrey Campbell Boots
Happy Wednesday friends!
It’s time for another Wedding Wednesday post, and today we’re going to be talking about Destination Weddings vs Traditional Weddings (or non-destination style!). 👰🏻
When Nathan and I started chatting about where we wanted to have our wedding, we knew 3 key things: we wanted it to be small and intimate, we wanted our closest friends and family there, and we wanted to have FUN! We really tried to weigh out our options when it came to whether we would have it in the city we grew up in, have it in Austin (where we now call home), or have it somewhere completely different!
When we landed on New York as the spot for our wedding, we were over the moon. We absolutely can’t wait to have it in a city that means so much to both of us.
A few reasons why New York is so special:
- Nathan and I started dating long distance while I was living in New York and he was living in Amarillo, TX.
- We had our first official date in NYC! Starting it off with coffee and a trip to Grand Central Station, followed by dinner at Eataly in the Flatiron District + alllll the rosé. 🍷
- We talked about our future together while I was living in NYC, and Nathan visited several times during our year of long distance which led to countless adventures and incredible dates in the city!🚖
- Nathan and I took a trip to New York last October, and we got engaged in the city at my favorite spot – Washington Square Park.
So naturally… New York was the best spot to say our vows in front of our closest friends and family. 🏙 AND… we also found ways to include our hometown, plus our new city of Austin in the celebrating as well! We’ll be having a wedding shower in Amarillo (where we both grew up), a small reception in Missouri in July (where most of Nathan’s family is), and a mini celebration with friends here in Austin before we leave for NYC! 💕
Now, let’s get into the good stuff! Below, I’m going to be breaking down a few pros and cons of Destination Weddings vs Traditional Weddings. Read on for more.
Destination Weddings:
PROS:
- A great excuse to explore a favorite or new city with family and friends. ✈️
- Being able to have a smaller group of attendees – best if you want more of an intimate wedding. (You’re able to talk to everyone there.❤️)
- You get to celebrate your wedding vacation style and can make a full week out of it if you want to! (Nathan and I are planning to take our honeymoon a little later so we can enjoy the city with everyone there.)
CONS:
- Having to plan the big day from afar can make it tricky.
- People you care about might not be able to make it .
- Hauling all of your wedding day necessities to another city! (this one is going to be a little tricky for me haha!)
Traditional Weddings:
PROS:
- Celebrating in your hometown or a your new city is a great central spot for everyone to gather together.
- Being able to have the majority of your friends and family at the wedding.
- Planning your big day in a city you’re very familiar with which makes it easier to scout venues, go to taste testings, meet with the florist, etc…
CONS:
- Everyone will want to come to your big day (and your family might want them to also!), so an intimate wedding sometimes isn’t an option.
- You might end up spending a little over budget if it’s in your hometown or your new city, due to a bigger guest list.
- Not being able to dodge stressful family situations – a larger crowd means a bigger mix of personalities.
At the end of the day, however you decide to celebrate your wedding… big or small, destination or traditional – It’s going to be incredibly special no matter what because of the love that is being celebrated between both of you. The thing that I love most about our small wedding in NYC, is that it will be intimate, so fun, and filled with the people that know us best and love us the most. ❤️
photography by Sylvie the Camera.
