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Ceremony Options for your Destination Wedding 

Figure out the type of wedding ceremony you want for your destination wedding.


By  Debbie Quain

Take a moment to figure out type of wedding ceremony you want 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 wedding ceremony is conducted by a religious officiant and includes specific religious rites. Some officiants are more rigid about incorporating certain requests for this type of ceremony - for example,the use of 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 you neither of you have a preference for specific religious rites or permissions
  • A civil ceremony has no religious elements and simply conforms to the local, legal requirements and rules. The service is conducted by a registrar or marriage official.
  • 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 prior to the ceremony start.
  • Set-up personalized directional wedding signs so that your wedding 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
  • Make sure you provide seating for a wedding ceremony that is scheduled to last 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.
  • Keep track of local sunrise and sunset times as you decide what time of day you would like your wedding ceremony to begin.

Debbie Quain

Debbie is the owner of Hitched Away, her destination wedding consulting firm, where she plans and coordinates breathtaking destination weddings and vow renewal ceremonies for clients in the Caribbean.

Ready to Start Planning?

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