Destination I Do – Where Will You Tie the Knot?

To tie the knot overseas may have once been a romantic dream but for Aussies planning their wedding, a destination may offer real budget efficiencies.

Leading global traveller app Skyscanner has launched a new survey, ‘Destination I Do’, revealing that destination weddings are on the rise for Aussies, with almost 3 in 5 respondents (58%) considering or having had a destination wedding.

The trend is particularly prevalent among younger Australians, with 70% of Gen Zs considering a destination wedding, followed by just over half (55%) of younger Millennials. 

Skyscanner Travel Expert Jarrod Kris says: "Getting married is an incredible life mileston#e, but we all know it comes with a price tag. It is amazing to see Aussie creativity coming to play, with couples combining their big day plans with a travel experience to make it both memorable and affordable.”

 

In fact, the Destination I Do survey reveals that overwhelmingly, budget efficiency is the main driver behind Aussies looking to tie the knot overseas, with 77% saying the cost is the most important factor to influence their decision to have a wedding out of their hometowns or consider having one. A more attractive price tag for a dreamy ceremony is not the only appeal. Almost two-thirds (65%) of couples considered joining their honeymoon with their destination wedding to make money go even further.

Travelling doesn’t mean compromising: more than half (56%) of Aussies still prefer a traditional wedding. A destination wedding also offers flexibility in planning. Elopements or smaller ceremonies are on the cards for 23% of respondents, with cited advantages including cost-savings (58%), less stress (57%) and more intimacy (54%).

 

Oceania comes out on top (49%), followed by Asia (35%) and Europe (34%), as the trending regions for a destination wedding, indicating that Aussies are looking for diversity in locations beyond their hometown.

Aussies love a good beach wedding, with 41% opting for a romantic, laid-back seaside vibe for their big day. It’s a hit, especially among Gen Zs (47%), who can’t get enough of those sandy shores. There’s more than sandy ceremonies on the cards for couples looking for their perfect destination wedding: 20% of Aussies daydream of the rustic charm of rolling countryside like in Tuscany, followed by nature and luscious blooms (14%), such as Gibraltar, glamorous cities (12%), like Dubai or New York and adventurous and exotic venues (8%), such as Iceland or Himalayas. 

 

Planning for the "I Do” moment also includes ensuring the bride and groom, along with their families and friends, will find the best deals when booking flights, accommodation and even hiring cars.

"Destination weddings are a big deal. It’s an investment from both friends and families to attend. Skyscanner’s ‘Cheapest Month’ feature helps travellers see the average monthly price and cheapest time to book when looking to travel abroad,” Jarrod shares.

"The tool allows couples and guests to view the best day to fly, where often flying a day or two beforehand can save travellers a heap of money. It also suggests a range of even more affordable alternatives and is ultimately designed to ensure travellers feel confident when they book their holiday.

 

"When looking to book a destination wedding, it’s a good idea to tell your guests to sign up to Skyscanner’s Price Alerts as it’s a great way to keep on top of price changes to your favourite destination, meaning you’ll be the first to know about any price drops and they can get excited about your destination wedding.”

About 75% of weddings are planned between seven months and two years. Couples looking for bargains can start looking for tickets in advance. Skyscanner offers 12 months of visibility into prices when searching with flexible dates. 

Looking at prices for the next 12 months, some of Australians’ popular destinations to say "I Do” include:

Adelaide to Honolulu from $827; Melbourne to Paris from $1228.

Brisbane to NZ from $505; Melbourne to Gold Coast from $144.

Sydney to Bali from $455; Brisbane to Thailand from $503.

Darwin to Adelaide from $356; Sydney to Rome from $1341.

Sydney to Fiji from $622; Melbourne to Dubai from $1165.