As the world becomes more connected, technology has increasingly become a part of everyday life—from buying groceries to going for a run, most people have their smartphones with them no matter where they go.
With this in mind, it makes sense that engaged couples have seamlessly integrated technology into the wedding planning process. Destination couples are especially tech-oriented, as planning from a distance is no longer a chore, thanks to the Internet.
Here are just a few of the ways that couples are going digital as they plan their special celebrations.
Planning apps
Gone are the days of overstuffed planners—today’s to-be-weds are looking to the Internet for all of their planning needs. While some may still love keeping binders for inspiration, we find that they balance that with online planning and communications. With comprehensive apps and programs that make it easier to connect with destination wedding specialists, friends and vendors, couples can worry less and enjoy their engagement.
Save the date
Digital save-the-dates and invitations are budget-friendly and environmentally conscious alternatives to traditional paper suites. Digital stationery is just as fun to customize and offers many design choices to complement the wedding theme. The process is also quicker than print, with the ability to personalize invitations and save-the-dates with a simple photo upload. Better yet, couples can connect their online invitations to their wedding website to ensure all guests stay up to date.
Social media
Although unplugged ceremonies are becoming a popular choice, the reception is the perfect time to bring out the phones and snap some pictures. Hashtags are still ever-present in the destination wedding market; in fact, many photo booths will now post directly to Instagram for you if you choose. Expect to also see the rise of Snapchat, and custom geo-filters, influencing how millennials share their Big Day.
Live streaming
One of the major concerns that couples have when planning a destination wedding is that some of their loved ones will not be able to attend, due to budget, location, or other personal situations. With features like Facebook Live or Periscope, anyone can live stream their wedding for all to see. That way, nobody will have to miss out on the big moments. In fact, some resorts have built live streaming services into the wedding packages that they offer.
In a world where everyone is connected, technology has simplified the wedding planning process for couples everywhere and will only continue to evolve with the industry. From the initial planning steps to the big day itself, technology has made the destination wedding adventure even more of a personal experience.
Rebecca Hochreiter is the Vice President of Marketing & Customer Engagement at DestinationWeddings.com, the world's leading destination wedding and romantic travel planning company. DestinationWeddings.com has worked with nearly 25,000 couples and half a million guests to plan dream destination weddings. DestinationWeddings.com is one of the award-winning brands in the Celebration Travel Group collection.
