Despite all efforts to squeeze into her luggage, we’re saying ‘bon voyage’ to Wedded Wonderland’s own Fairy Godmother, Wendy El-Khoury, who is off to MC the 4th Annual Destination Wedding Planners Congress in Thailand.
Who me, jealous? No …
Wendy is swapping Sydney’s autumn chill for Phuket’s tropical beauty this week to MC for over 450 wedding connoisseurs representing 65 countries who will share views, have discussions, build collaborations, and gain further insight into the bourgeoning Destination Wedding industry.
Some of the best and most creative in the industry including: Preston Bailey, event planner extraordinaire Marcy Blum, and Australia’s leading wedding planner and stylist, Katherine Apostolidis, will be speaking at the event, and offering expert advice on these five key trends gaining momentum in destination weddings.
From Thailand to Japan, and Bali to Maldives, couples are seeking destinations that are removed from the hustle and bustle of popular hot spots, but still have a high level of luxury products and services.
The décor and even the entertainment selected for weddings is now being chosen on the basis of the culture of the land. Narelle Williams, Director at Global Weddings, Australia commented: “From props to furniture, lighting, and table décor, there is a focus on tropical themes, metallic, and innovative gifts for the guests with cultural theme borrowed from the destination.”
As one of the hottest travel trends in 2016, experiential travel is making a huge impact on destination weddings. “We find guests are more open to experimenting with new cuisines, such as game meat, which definitely enhances their entire experience,” said Aleit Swanepoel, Founder & Chairman at The Aleit Group, South Africa.
For a truly memorable affair, couples are embracing the idea of “experience weddings” where a wonderful energy is created among guests who travel together to a wedding. These weddings will often become a three-day event, with pre-wedding BBQs, cocktail functions and excursions included, too.
According to Alison Hitchkiss Rinderknecht, Creative Director at Alison Events, USA, longer stays continue to be a growing trend: “People are paying for guests all inclusive experience so that all their guests can stay in one place; meaning they cover airfare and hotel rooms.’’ Guests usually tend to increase their stay at the destination and explore the destination at leisure pre- and post-wedding.
Wedded Wonderland is thrilled to MC the Destination Wedding Planner Congress, and as always, keen to be on the ground to bring our Fairies the latest news and trends surfacing in the wedding world. And if we have to have a coconut cooler cocktail in the process, so be it.
OK, now I’m really jealous!
Stay tuned for Wendy’s Thailand wrap up next week, and keep up to date with the Congress by followng the hashtag on Instagram #dwp_congress, and following Wedded Wonderland social channels: Instagram | Facebook | Snapchat: Wedded
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