More than two-thirds of Americans would have a destination wedding in order to “trim the fat” off their guest list, according to new research.
In a new poll of 2,000 Americans, the average respondent said the “perfect number” of wedding guests is 56 people.
However, if it were a destination wedding, only 36% of people would invite more than 50 guests.
Almost one-third of people said a smaller guest list would encourage them to have a destination wedding.
Furthermore, 50% of respondents cited difficulty for guests to attend as the top deterrent for having a destination wedding in the first place.
The poll, conducted by OnePoll and Funjet Vacations, also revealed that the top incentive to attend a destination wedding wasn’t actually being in the wedding party, in fact, this reason wasn’t even in the top three. Having all expenses paid came out on top, according to 51% of respondents.
As far as attendance deterrents, half of respondents said they would not attend if it was too expensive for them.
It is no surprise that the majority (33%) of people would prefer a summer wedding, as 45% of respondents long for a white sand beach to tie the knot on.
On top of that, the most wanted destinations boast beautiful beaches, with 36% of respondents wishing for Hawaii, and a third choosing The Caribbean. In fact, a third of guests are most likely to attend a wedding if it took place in Hawaii.
“While destination weddings often get mislabeled as daunting and expensive, with the right tools and a little help, couples can easily plan and enjoy a stunning, stress-free destination wedding on almost any budget,” said Michael Lowery, Executive Vice President and GM, Apple Leisure Group.
According to two-thirds of respondents, the majority of weddings they’ve attended took place in the United States and 69% of attendees typically spend less than $1,000 for domestic weddings.
When it comes to attending a destination wedding, that budget remains relatively the same with 56% not willing to spend more than $1,000.
Regardless, 59% of respondents would travel abroad for an immediate family member’s wedding, and 55% would travel for their best friend.
Thirty-nine percent of people said they’re more likely to attend a destination wedding if it’s a location they’d enjoy. So, it’s no wonder more than half of attendees believe the perfect duration is more than four days.
“Destination weddings can provide quite a few unexpected perks beyond just a beautiful backdrop,” said Erica Doyne, Senior Vice President, Marketing & Communications of AMR™ Collection. “Not only can they be a vacation for wedding guests, but they also come with a simplified wedding planning process and a more intimate and unique experience as a result.”
TOP FIVE MOST DESIRED DESTINATION WEDDING BACKDROPS
- White sand beach — 45%
- A castle — 43%
- A tropical island — 42%
- A place of worship — 42%
- One of the Seven Wonders — 38%
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