Ceremony Options for your Destination Wedding

Figure out what type of wedding ceremony is best for your destination wedding.

What Type of Wedding Ceremony?

The ceremony for your destination wedding is an opportunity for a picture-perfect snapshot.

You probably picked the site for your ceremony when you initially booked the wedding venue – i.e., the hotel or resort.

But what are your options for the type of wedding ceremony?  Religious, interfaith, civil, symbolic, spiritual…what’s the difference?

  • A religious officiant conducts a religious wedding ceremony that includes specific religious rites. Some officiants are more rigid about incorporating certain requests for this type of ceremony, such as using secular music.
  • An interfaith wedding is the blending of two (2) different faiths and may require you to find two (2) separate officiants – one for each faith. Some countries may not recognize an interfaith wedding as legally binding, so find out!
  • A spiritual wedding ceremony works if neither of you prefers specific religious rites or permissions.
  • A civil ceremony has no religious elements and simply conforms to the local legal requirements and rules. A registrar or marriage official conducts it.
  • A symbolic ceremony is not a legally binding ceremony at all.

Wedding Ceremony Ideas

Here are a few ways that you can personalize your destination wedding ceremony.

  • For an island wedding, serve arriving guests with cool drinks before the ceremony starts.
  • Set up personalized directional wedding signs so your guests know exactly where to go to attend the ceremony.
  • Put some thought into creating a playlist for your wedding ceremony. Incorporating local sounds for your destination wedding ceremony is an authentic and memorable touch.
  • Ensure you provide seating for a wedding ceremony that lasts longer than 20 minutes.
  • As you exchange your wedding vows, consider including a local phrase of good wishes with your vow – another authentic, local touch.
  • Track local sunrise and sunset times as you decide when you would like your wedding ceremony to begin.

Debbie at HitchedAway

Debbie is a destination wedding travel advisor and the face (and voice) of HitchedAway. With a focus on breathtaking destinations and venues in the Caribbean, her goal is to demystify the process of planning your special occasion from hundreds or thousands of miles away.

Ready to Start Planning?

Let's talk. Schedule your free consultation to chat with Debbie.