What is a destination wedding?
Traditionally, it’s when a couple chooses to hold their wedding ceremony and reception outside their hometown or current residence. Destination weddings can take place in the couple’s own country or abroad, but they usually require guests and the wedding party to travel and stay overnight.
What are domestic destination weddings?
While there’s still a big appeal in tying the knot abroad, today’s more budget-conscious couples are increasingly choosing to hold weddings in their own country, known as domestic destination weddings. These are typically held in stunning locations that are holiday destinations in their own right, such as the Cotswolds, so guests can still enjoy that feeling of being somewhere special.
5 reasons to have a destination wedding
Planning a destination wedding is a wonderfully romantic idea – what could be better than gathering your nearest and dearest family and friends and whisking them away for the weekend to share in your celebrations? Here’s why we love a destination wedding at Lapstone Barn:
1. It’s a personal celebration
While friends and family will most likely be delighted to be invited to your destination wedding, it is a big ask and one that may be untenable for some of your invitees. Depending on where you choose to tie the knot, you may need to adapt your guest list to include only those closest to you. That creates a feeling of intimacy and ensures that your wedding is a really personal celebration.
2. You have exclusive use of the whole wedding venue
If you’ve whisked your guests away to some amazing location where you intend to celebrate all weekend long, then choosing a wedding venue that offers exclusive use is important. At Lapstone Barn, our couples have exclusive use of the whole estate and grounds, which includes our beautifully-furnished onsite properties with guest accommodation. This exclusive use creates such a magical, personal ambience for the wedding couple and their guests.
3. The more celebrations the merrier
Getting married is a lifetime event that can take months of planning and budgeting. It therefore makes sense to extend the celebrations for as long as possible to create a lasting memory. Because it’s usual to host several events over two or three days, planning a destination wedding can take a bit more thought, however, the benefits are definitely worth it. Hosting a welcome dinner the night before a wedding, when excitement is running high, is a great time for guests to mingle and get to know each other, which helps to create a more relaxed, personal atmosphere for the wedding day itself. And those post wedding day brunches are the ideal time to reminisce about the day before, consolidating new memories and new friendships.
4. It doesn’t cost as much as you think
The cost of a destination wedding might seem expensive on the surface, but it’s important to look into the details of what’s included in the price. Most destination wedding venues also include accommodation for guests as well as exclusive use of the venue, which actually makes them very reasonably priced.
At Lapstone Barn, we have three beautifully renovated properties that are reserved specially for the wedding party and their guests. The Farmhouse sleeps up to 10 guests, Lapstone Cottage sleeps 4, while The Stables, our stunning new development right next to the wedding barn, has a bridal suite and five double rooms.
How much guests are expected to contribute towards a wedding is down to the couple. If the wedding is being held abroad, it is reasonable to expect guests to pay for their own travel, such as flights, taxis, and airport transfers. At Lapstone Barn, we include the cost of accommodation in your booking fee, which you are then welcome to pass on to your guests if you so choose.
5. You tie the knot in a dream location
Whether it’s the Seychelles or the south coast, the Caribbean or the Cotswolds, a destination wedding location will not disappoint. You are getting married in a place that’s special or memorable to you as a couple so invariably your chosen location will be somewhere stunning, a special destination that you can share with your guests. We may be biassed, but we don’t think there’s much that beats the Cotswolds as the ideal wedding destination location. With its chocolate box villages, stately homes and rolling hills, there’s plenty for guests to explore, and it is conveniently located for travel to and from London and the rest of the country.
Plan your destination wedding at Lapstone Barn
With on-site guest accommodation and exclusive use of the whole property, Lapstone Barn makes the ideal destination wedding venue in the Cotswolds. If you would like to explore our special setting, we’d love to show you around: contact us to make a booking.
