Destination Weddings: Airlines Step in To Facilitate the Journey to the Aisle
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APEX Insight: Air Transat, Delta and WestJet are encouraging destination weddings with offers ranging from discounts to reserved wedding dress compartments.
According to TripSavvy, 24% of marriages are destination weddings with 90% of couples highlighting weather as a key factor when selecting their destination. Unsurprisingly, Las Vegas is the number one destination for weddings away from home, with over 100,000 ceremonies performed per year. Outside of the United States, top destinations include the Caribbean, Mexico and Hawaii, all offering ceremony backdrops of sun, sand and surf.
Airlines play an important role in destination weddings and some are taking steps to make the journey as seamless as possible. WestJet offers wedding packages, helping couples choose their destination, in addition to resort and hotel options curated by WestJet’s experts. When booking wedding packages through Delta Air Lines, couples receive a rebate per booked guest.
“The market for destination weddings is constantly growing.” – Transat Tours Canada
Building on its wedding and honeymoon offering, Air Transat partnered with Weddingbells and Mariage Québec, two Canadian wedding publications, earlier this year to offer couples, who are en route to their wedding, perks including an upgrade to Option Plus and a compartment reserved for the wedding gown. “The market for destination weddings is constantly growing, and our expertise has helped thousands of couples plan their dream wedding, perfectly tailored to them,” said Geneviève LeBrun, vice-president of Marketing at Transat Tours Canada.
However, airlines’ rules vary when it comes to transporting wedding gowns. One New York Times writer advises brides to be sure their dress fits in the overhead bin and understand that it may account for their carry-on allowance.
Engaging an airline or wedding travel program will ensure guests are well looked after and have all the details they need to make the wedding day, as well as their vacation, a success. Popular wedding website, theknot.com, offers 50 top destinations as well as tips to ensure the destination, timing and travel is seamless and that the bride and groom can relax and enjoy the festivities.