Wedding celebrations abroad – great idea or great headache?
Research reveals many guests concerned with costs of overseas weddings
Guaranteed good weather and a stress-free wedding can make choosing to get married abroad a very tempting option for the happy couple, but spare a thought for your cash-conscious guests. A new survey by TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel website, reveals that while many guests are happy to stump up for idyllic ‘I-dos’ abroad, others find the associated travel expenses extreme.
A survey of 1,650 British travellers revealed that over one-quarter (26%) of those who have travelled abroad for a wedding were actually unhappy about it. The majority of guests displeased about travelling for weddings put this down to the cost:
· 49% of those unhappy about travelling abroad for a wedding said it was because it was too expensive
· 19% said it took up too much holiday time
· 15% didn’t like the destination
· 16% cited other reasons
Even if the wedding isn’t abroad, many couples now are choosing to have their hen or stag do abroad....and these attendees are even more likely to consider these too expensive. Of respondents who have travelled abroad for hen or stag dos, one third (33%) were unhappy about doing so and cost again was the most significant reason for this:
· 41% of those unhappy about travelling abroad for a hen or stag do said it was because it was too expensive
· 12% said it took too much holiday time
· 27% didn’t like the destination
· 20% cited other reasons
The costs of attending a wedding can add up quickly, particularly when considering that 10% of respondents have attended two weddings abroad in the same year, while more than one-quarter (26%) of those who have attended a wedding abroad have attended a international hen or stag for that same wedding.
“Weddings abroad are fantastic for couples who want a more relaxed and intimate day. A wedding abroad is often an effective way of keeping the actual wedding costs down too, and many couples choose to incorporate their honeymoon into the same trip,” commented Emma O’Boyle, TripAdvisor spokesperson.
“However, the bride and groom should carefully consider the costs incurred by their guests. With airfares, hotel costs, wedding gifts and other expenses, the bills can add up quickly. Those getting married abroad may want to consider having their stag and hen dos closer to home as travelling for both really is a double financial blow for those involved.”
*Survey carried out on 1,650 travellers from 29th July to 15th August 2011
