Photo by Chris Lawton on Unsplash
This entry is from our Expert Guest series where wedding and honeymoon professionals share their best tips on creating memories that last a lifetime.
Most couples who become more serious and invested in a relationship will eventually decide to settle down and to mark that occasion, they partake in a sacred ritual called…that’s right, you’ve guessed it. A wedding. It’s one of the most important ceremonies that mark a milestone in a couple’s life.
Isn’t it a dream to walk down the aisle with their ideal partner waiting for them at the altar? That may be so in the past because times are changing. More and more couples are choosing to ditch a fairytale wedding in favor of traveling. Would you consider going traveling instead of your wedding?
How about you? Are you considering a wedding anytime soon, or are you thinking of going traveling instead? In this article, we are going to try and help you decide by putting these two options against each other. Let’s get started.
Traveling vs. Wedding: Which Should You Pick?
Photo by Todd Ruth on Unsplash
Cost
The first thing that most couples are concerned about is the cost. Will travel be more expensive than a wedding? Or will it be the other way around?
Did you know that an average wedding today costs $30,000? This amount is not even close to the fairytale wedding that most of us envision. Now, can you imagine how much you can stretch this budget already while traveling? We’re not talking about exclusive luxury destinations, though, that will cost significantly more. In the end, how much each of them will cost will still boil down to your careful planning. Well, whatever it is you choose and you’re thinking of stretching the budget a bit more, then applying for a personal loan can be very handy.
The Score: Tied.
Photo by Tim Stief on Unsplash
Experience
Here’s the thing. We believe that the bulk of the experience of a wedding lies in the preparation. It can take long months of searching out stuff, trying things, and finally committing and paying for them.
As for the actual ceremony? Well, it only lasts for an hour or two, with a few hours of speeches, food, and partying. The longest it can take is until the next day depending on how long the after-party is going to take. You probably won’t even be there anymore as you gear up for your honeymoon.
But that’s it! Trust us, it’s going to be one heck of a day but you’re only going to remember highlights of it with the rest being all a blur.
If you go traveling, though, then the experience stretches for more than just a day. It could go on for weeks, months…even years! In fact, it might even change the course of your lives entirely as you get to interact with other cultures, meet new people, and explore various countries.
It’s probably pretty obvious already who the winner of this round is going to be.
The Score: Traveling wins!
Photo by Jonathan Borba on Unsplash
Guests
Weddings are primarily for the couple. No question there. But let’s be honest, sometimes they can be for the family too. Another thing to consider is that there are cultures that consider it a tradition that must never ever be skipped or overlooked.
There are also couples that just want to share this special event with the people that matter to them. It doesn’t even have to be “family”. The quote from the book (and film) Into the Wild comes to mind: “Happiness is only real when shared”.
We understand that on the other hand, there are couples out there who value privacy and intimacy more but we believe that a wedding takes this point.
The Score: Wedding wins!
Photo by Benjaminrobyn Jespersen on Unsplash
The Verdict
It’s a tie. In the end, this will all boil down to the combined personality of the couple involved. We have mentioned above that more and more couples are choosing to travel instead of holding a wedding, but a vital element to consider is that before social media, travel vlogs, and affordable travel deals, most of us didn’t even consider that there was an alternative to the traditional wedding.
We certainly have a lot to be thankful for, because we are living in a modern world where the possibilities and inspiration are endless and easier to access.
Anyway, as a parting gift, here are three tips that you can keep in mind, no matter what you choose:
- Talk to your partner about everything. Don’t plan on your own. This is the worst way to start a life together.
- Set a budget plus a buffer, and stick to it.
- Create a detailed plan. Where do you want your wedding venue to be and what theme are you going for? Where do you want to travel to? What are your non-negotiables? What is that one travel experience or wedding detail that you and your partner will seriously regret not having?
By keeping the tips we have shared with you in mind, we’re sure that you and your partner will enter this new chapter of your lives with a bang. Have fun!
Make your dreams of a wedding or traveling with a Honeyfund honeymoon registry.
