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The Secret No One Tells You About Destination Weddings
If the thought of planning a 150-guest summer wedding makes your stomach flip (and not in the fun way), you’re not alone. More and more couples are saying yes to a destination wedding elopement — a smaller, more intentional way to celebrate in a beautiful place with the people who matter most.
And here’s the thing: it’s not just romantic. It’s smart.
Why A Destination Wedding Elopement Just… Makes Sense
There’s something kind of magical about leaving your “real life” behind for a few days and getting married somewhere warm, slow, and full of soul.
Here’s what makes tropical destination elopements so special:
- They double as a vacation. While everyone else is knee-deep in July wedding chaos, you’re sipping cocktails in February.
- Off-season = good energy. Vendors aren’t stretched thin. You’ll get more personalized attention and stunning light that isn’t all harsh and high-summer.
- Your timeline is yours. No banquet halls kicking you out at 11pm. No one rushing to get to speeches. Want to swim in the ocean at sunrise and get married barefoot by sunset? Do it.
Elopements allow you to break every rule — and somehow make it feel more meaningful.
Small Destination Wedding Elopement, Big Impact
A destination wedding elopement doesn’t mean cutting corners. It means cutting noise.
With fewer people, you can reinvest your budget in ways that are deeply personal:
- Book a private chef instead of a banquet meal
- Stay in a design-forward Airbnb or boutique hotel
- Work with local florists who understand the vibe — not the Pinterest cliché
You know those “destination wedding” centrepieces that feel like they were copy/pasted from a cruise ship? Yeah. Not here.
How to Make It Feel Like You — Not a Wedding Factory
Here’s the sweet spot: you want to honour the local culture without turning your wedding into a tourist brochure.
So instead of seashell bouquets and plastic leis, think:
- Colour palettes inspired by the environment — deep ochres, vibrant greens, soft peach and coral tones
- Texture — dried palms, woven details, fresh local blooms with movement
- Food — taco carts, mezcal tastings, or a slow, candlelit family-style meal under the stars
- Music — hire a local trio, or create a playlist that pulls from the destination’s roots
Let it feel immersive and effortless. You’re not here to replicate home — you’re here to experience something richer.
Destination Wedding Elopement Timeline Ideas That Feel Unique (and Unreal)
Let’s take your elopement up a notch. These are a few ideas I’m always dreaming of capturing:
- Sunrise ceremony, sunset dinner — start with a quiet, just-you-two moment, then meet your guests later for a feast
- Two-day celebration — day one: get married. Day two: boat day, beach picnic, tequila tasting, or jungle hike
- Ceremony in a botanical garden — not just a beach, but something atmospheric and layered with history
- Private vows before the “official” day — sneak away together, write your own promises, and let it be just yours
The key? Design a day that gives you room to breathe, not perform.
The Photographer Side of Things (A Few Words from Me)
Photographing an elopement or micro wedding gives me room to create with full intention. No timelines are crashing down on us. There’s time to pause, to feel, to make images that last — not just pose and go.
And let’s not forget: tropical light? Absolutely stunning. The kind of golden haze and movement that turns a moment into art.
You Deserve a Wedding That Feels Like You
If you’re feeling drawn to something smaller, something warmer — in every sense of the word — trust that instinct.
A destination wedding elopement doesn’t mean sacrificing meaning. It means choosing it.
And if you’re already dreaming about your toes in the sand, a camera nearby, and a soundtrack of ocean waves? I’d love to be the one to help tell your story.
Reach out here and let’s create something unforgettable.
*Check out Blue Deer Residences a luxury airbnb located in Tulum, Mexico
