What Travel Advisors Need to Know About the Destination Weddings Boom

Destination weddings and honeymoons have grown from niche offerings into a powerhouse segment of the travel industry. In 2024, the global destination wedding market was valued at approximately $37 billion, with projections estimating it could climb to $137 billion by 2029. The honeymoon tourism sector is also expanding steadily, worth $131.6 billion in 2024 and expected to reach nearly $192 billion by 2030. And of the estimated 42 million weddings that took place in 2024, destination weddings accounted for about 17% of the global wedding market. 

These numbers also reflect a broader shift: Today’s couples are prioritizing unique, meaningful experiences over traditional offerings. Destination celebrations often serve as extended vacations for couples and guests alike, and the demand for immersive travel is only accelerating. For travel advisors, this presents a valuable opportunity to position themselves as experts in a high-touch, high-value niche. 

What’s Trending in Destination Weddings

In an evergreen niche like destination weddings and honeymoons, trends come and go, but love will always be in the air. And the more travel advisors understand and embrace the trends, the more impressive their outcomes will be. 

We went straight to a leading source of travel sellers in this segment, the Destination Weddings & Honeymoons Specialist Association (DWHSA). Established in 2013, DWHSA now has more than 800 romance travel specialists (travel sellers, not suppliers) in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, and other countries around the world. And the organization is entirely run by travel advisors who assist wedding couple every day. 

We asked DWHSA’s Executive Director John K. Hawks what trends he’s seeing in destination weddings and honeymoons. “One huge trend we’re seeing in 2025 is intentional booking by couples,” says Hawks. “After the rush of rebooking canceled trips after the pandemic, clients are now taking their sweet time making destination wedding and honeymoon decisions! The booking window for destination weddings, especially, is growing to at least 12 months out.” 

Conversely, Hawks noted that some members have reported the parallel trend of clients (honeymooners in particular), making last-minute plans for romantic trips within 90 days of departure. They wait to make sure they can get away from work and afford the trip in today’s unstable economy. 

Many DWHSA members also reported that their new clients this year have expressed a stronger intent to book through advisors. Even though they may have done a great deal of AI trip research in advance, they want the added assurance of getting human feedback on what they learned online before they book some of the most important trips of their lives. 

Finally, Hawks notes, “And, with destination weddings, we’re pleased to see the positive trend of couples planning wedding itineraries that focus more on the guest experiences, not just ‘what the bride wants.’ Because destination wedding trips can be expensive for guests, more couples are building in networking events on site, paying for group excursions, and picking resorts and cruises that truly fit the budgets of their guests.” 

Most Popular Destinations for Destination Weddings

The bread-and-butter destinations still hold the most sway with couples: Mexico and the Caribbean. These locales tend to feel more familiar to Americans and Canadians, and they offer many more choices for all-inclusive resorts that cater to destination wedding ceremonies and to honeymooners. 

More specifically, “Cancun and Riviera Maya continue to dominate with over 70% of our weddings landing there,” reports Shelli Nornes, president & CEO, Romance Travel Group. “It just checks all the boxes: it’s affordable, easy to get to, and packed with great resort options. Today’s couples are thinking about their guests more than ever… keeping costs low and travel simple is a huge priority. This destination delivers and it’s an easy yes for most.” 

Carla Schipper, owner, Unique Romance and Adventure Travel, agrees: “Mexico (specifically the Riviera Maya area) is the top location, followed closely by the Dominican Republic. Both destinations offer numerous options for wedding locations, along with various flight options to make it easier for their guests to attend the event.” 

And Liz Moore, CEO & destination wedding specialist, Liz Moore Destination Weddings, weighs in with: “Mexico is still, by far, our most popular destination for destination weddings. This is due to the very competitive air pricing from most North American cities. There are a wide variety of incredible all-inclusive resort options at every price point.  

“Our most popular trending area within Mexico is Playa Mujeres and Costa Mujeres. Both areas are conveniently located just 35 minutes north of the Cancun airport, and offer the newest all-inclusive resort offerings. You’ll find a wide variety of venues there, from private rooftop locations to beautiful Caribbean white sand beach venues. The best part is that these modern-style resorts are conveniently designed with destination weddings in mind. From budget-friendly resorts to luxurious five-star, adults-only boutique resorts, there is something for every couple’s style, taste, and budget. For beach-loving couples, this area has little to no seaweed, incredible white sand for miles, and is very swimmable for guests of all ages.” 

Lastly, Hawks says that “Europe is also definitely in demand for honeymoons (especially Italy, Spain, and Portugal). And, for destination weddings, we’ve seen more interest in cruise packages (couples can plan their ceremonies on or off the ship, while that packaged nature of a cruise appeals to their guests).” 

Up-And-Coming Nuptial Locales 

Perhaps even more important for advisors to get familiar with now are the up-and-coming destinations for this niche (e.g., an under-the-radar destination or experience advisors can recommend to clients who are looking for something more personalized or exclusive).  

“One area that is definitely on the rise in terms of interest is Costa Rica,” advises Moore. “This beautiful country offers so much diversity in natural wedding backdrops, from rainforests to volcanoes, and the most stunning flora and fauna. It is the perfect destination wedding for adventurous couples seeking something unique and beautiful while still staying within their overall wedding budget.”   

She also mentions Mallorca, Spain. “On a recent trip to Mallorca, I fell in love with Zoëtry Mallorca. This is a beautiful 14^th-century manor house estate located in the stunning countryside of Mallorca. This resort is a dream wedding location for smaller luxury wedding groups looking for something truly spectacular for their nuptials. It comes complete with a windmill, Neo-Gothic chapel, and to-die-for culinary delights.  

“Another location that is piquing the interest of our North American clientele is the Baglioni hotels, which are located in Rome, Florence, Milan, and Venice. Perfect for smaller, intimate wedding groups coming from Canada and the U.S. wanting to experience the incredible history and ultimate romance of Italy.” 

Let’s head back to the Caribbean for a moment, as Schipper recommends: “Belize, with its intimate private island wedding venues featuring overwater bungalow ceremonies, offers straightforward legal wedding requirements, as it is an English-speaking country. Additionally, it is an excellent destination for a honeymoon after the wedding. Gladden Private Island is a rare gem──perfect for ultra-exclusive clientele seeking once-in-a-lifetime experiences, such as a small, intimate wedding for just the two of them.” 

But there’s more. Hawks explains an innovative and slightly different take on emerging destinations: “Many destination wedding and honeymoon couples today want uniqueness in their destination wedding and honeymoon plans─ceremonies and experiences that are Instagrammable, and that their friends haven’t already planned for their own trips. That’s led to more interest in off-site destination wedding ceremonies (where guests stay at a resort for the all-inclusive pricing, but they’ll venture off property for one evening to view the vows at a scenic restaurant or beach club).  

“For destination weddings, couples will consider ‘dupe’ destinations that offer the same ambience as more crowded destinations (e.g., Croatia instead of Italy, San Miguel de Allende instead of Cancun). And, for honeymoons, river cruises appeal to couples now that the average passenger age is dropping a bit. Other under-the-radar options we’ve heard from members include the full range of African safaris (not just the high-budget vendors), Japan, and South America (e.g., Argentina’s Mendoza wine region). 

Most Unusual Requests 

Destination weddings and honeymoons are such a fun topic that we asked our panel of experts what was the most unusual destination wedding/honeymoon request they have ever gotten.  

“Our members have probably heard it all, including vows taken aboard an Antarctica expedition cruise or in an underwater restaurant in the Maldives, ‘buddymoons’ on small yacht buyouts in the Caribbean, glamping honeymoons in the U.S. Southwest, and ‘volunteermoons’ where the couple spends a week helping at a school or animal shelter in Mexico.” 

Moore also facilitated a most unusual request that only further reinforces that the client is always king and advisors must be ready for anything, especially when it comes to their big day. “We once had a request from a groom who wanted an all-inclusive resort in Mexico, but did not want to have to deal with the possibility of seeing a lizard while there. The key in this case was to assure the client that although he may see them, they truly are harmless, and although they can be seen, they normally stay away from people. He was then assured and ending up having a wonderful destination wedding in Mexico without even seeing a lizard!”  

Top Selling Strategies 

Now that we’ve explored trends, destinations, and a few unusual requests, let’s talk about some of the top selling strategies that proven travel advisors are using to capture this lucrative and stable niche. 

First, to draw prospects in, Schipper markets consistently on all social media platforms, posting every day, including what they do for their clients, as well as testimonials from clients. 

For Nornes, “One of the best strategies in this niche is simple: sell yourself. Anyone can book a trip, but not everyone can ease fears, solve problems, and turn stress into excitement. I focus on what I bring to the table: real experience, honest advice, and a whole lot of heart. Destination weddings can feel overwhelming, so I listen for the pain points and show couples how I’ll take those worries off their plate. That’s what makes me stand out.” 

Moore says her “tried-and-true strategy is to work with preferred resorts and suppliers that we, as a team, can count on to provide the very best in services to our clients. In doing this, we not only feel confident in continuing to recommend specific resorts, but those same resorts additionally reward us with special offers unique to our clients. It’s a win-win situation, which is always appreciated by our specialist team!” 

Challenges to Overcome 

Even the most compelling travel niches have their challenges. The specialists we reached out to summarized some of obstacles travel advisors face when planning destination weddings, and how they overcome them─a critical dialogue for any advisor serving this market. 

Janine Fydrych, owner of Dreamscape Travel Group and a destination weddings specialist, says it starts from the very beginning of the relationship with the client. “One of the biggest challenges couples face when planning a destination wedding is not fully understanding the different roles involved. A wedding planner (or on-site planner at the resort) handles the ceremony and reception details—vendors, décor, flowers, and timelines for the wedding day itself. But what many couples don’t realize is that a destination wedding specialist plays an equally critical role in making the entire experience stress-free.  

“As a specialist, my focus is on the travel logistics for the couple and their guests: securing group contracts, arranging flights, accommodations, and transfers; and building pre-, during-, and post-wedding itineraries for those who want to extend their trip. This ensures guests don’t have to figure things out on their own, and the couple can relax knowing their family and friends are supported every step of the way.  

“The way I overcome this challenge is through the relationships I’ve built with in-country wedding planners and venues abroad. While the wedding planner oversees vendors and the wedding-day flow, I coordinate the guest travel side. We work hand-in-hand on timelines and share processes, so couples’ experience a seamless journey from ‘save the date’ to the honeymoon. In many cases, I’m also able to connect couples with my trusted local partners—making it easier for them to plan abroad while still knowing everything is managed professionally. By collaborating closely with on-site planners and local teams, I bridge the gap between the wedding event and the travel experience. Together, we provide a smoother, stress-free planning process so the couple can focus on what truly matters—celebrating their marriage and creating memories with loved ones.” 

Along similar lines, Moore talks about how “one of our challenges is accommodating couples who may be inviting guests from several different countries to their chosen destination. Our goal is to make our couples booking experience as seamless as possible. When it comes to our preferred suppliers and hoteliers, we are able to accommodate these wonderful wedding groups, maximizing their concessions while minimizing their stress. It is always a balancing act, and I am eternally grateful to our wedding specialists and suppliers for their hard work and efforts in making the process effortless for our couples.” 

Schipper deems “finding a property that fits the budget of the guests, while also providing the couple with the luxury feel they are looking for on their special day” as a top concern. “Luckily, many options in Mexico or the Dominican Republic offer a wedding venue that meets the couple’s needs, and have enough different room categories to allow their guests to join them while staying within their budget as well.” 

Also on the topic of dealing with resort properties, Nornes is taking a leadership role on a particularly important issue: “One of the biggest challenges we’re facing right now is price parity. Resorts are tossing out member rates, non-refundable discounts, and every other trick in the book to undercut the contracted group rates that advisors are held to. It’s frustrating for us and confusing for couples and wedding guests. I’m currently leading a grassroots effort, talking with resort brands one-on-one to open the conversation and push for solutions that benefit everyone. We need pricing structures that honor the advisor’s role in creating and managing group business. It’s time to find a win-win model.” 

Best Advice  

With the wealth of knowledge and experience our panel of experts holds, we asked each one what was their best advice for travel advisors who are considering breaking into selling destination weddings and honeymoons. 

“Build a strong brand from the start,” says Hawks. “Pick a business name (or a doing-business-as sub brand) with romance travel keywords—and build a web site that screams destination weddings and honeymoons, so prospects recognize you as a specialist. Next, work the database you have. Clean up those email addresses, and then send a reintroductory email announcing you’re focusing now on romance travel (and asking your contacts to spread the word). And, stay in front of your people regularly. Send once- or twice-monthly marketing emails to your entire database with romance travel tips, trip ideas, and testimonials, so they’ll think of you when they’re ready to travel (or they know someone who needs a destination wedding or honeymoon). 

Moore believes in mentoring as a success strategy. “I often have agents who are very interested in working with destination wedding couples. I always recommend working with an experienced agent specialist with their back-end work managing guest travel,” she explains. “This allows agents to learn all the logistics of group travel as well as popular all-inclusive resorts. Before they know it, they are confidently working with their own destination wedding couples!” 

Schipper advises about the need to know the destination wedding product line well: “Learn the products you want to sell and the wedding packages offered. When you find a resort and wedding coordinator that you like to work with, always offer that property to your clients. The more you sell of a particular resort, the more added value you will be able to provide your clients, and you will also receive more support from your BDM if they know you are supporting them.” 

Also, she recommends to “definitely charge a fee for your services, as you will not receive payment for at least a year, and you will be doing a significant amount of work. When you charge a fee, it shows the clients that you will be saving them a significant amount of time, preventing costly travel mistakes, giving them access to our insider knowledge and connections with personalized experiences, and handling complex travel-related matters associated with group travel.” 

Lastly, Nornes offers a piece of advice that is most direct and encouraging: “Don’t dabble. Destination weddings aren’t a side hustle … they’re complex, emotional, and deeply personal. These couples are trusting you with one of the biggest days of their lives, and they deserve your full attention. If you’re not ready to give 100%, this isn’t your niche. But if you are all in, it’s incredibly rewarding.”