Imagine exchanging vows with the love of your life on a white sandy beach, surrounded by crystal, turquoise water to express your love and commitment to a future together.
A recent Transat Holidays and Nolitours Wedding Survey, conducted by Ipsos Descarie, revealed that this romantic dream wedding is the preferred choice for half of Canadians.
Transat Holidays and Nolitours are seeing a growing trend of couples choosing destination weddings in paradise, whether that be on a beach, in Europe or on a cruise, over traditional weddings which are so often spoiled by the endless list of decisions and escalating costs. And, as more couples choose to wait to tie the knot, the survey shows that 60 per cent of couples between the ages of 35 to 54 would prefer a romantic wedding away from home, compared to a traditional wedding close to home (17 per cent).
“We often hear about the pressure, anxiety and high cost involved in planning a hometown wedding,” said Denise Heffron, vice-president national sales and commercial for Transat Holidays and Nolitours. “We take the stress out of wedding planning so that you can experience your special day with complete piece of mind. The Transat Holidays and Nolitours Wedding Collection offers the highest standards at an affordable price.”
There has been a significant change in Canadians’ approach to marriage.
With an increase of second-time-around weddings and blended families, more and more consider a trip to a sun-filled paradise as the favourite way to say “I do.”
Celebrating renewal of vows is also a growing trend. Couples are not waiting as long to reconnect with each other and are using the tradition as a chance to celebrate with friends and family.
A total of 66 per cent of those surveyed interested in renewing their vows chose an intimate ceremony on a white sandy beach, 28 per cent selected a romantic European service and only two per cent preferred to stay close to home.
“In fact, many guests actually tell us that their wedding day was so busy that they remember few details. A renewal of vows ceremony creates fresh, vibrant and new memories that can add romance and spice to a marriage,” said Heffron. “In our high-pressure, fast-paced world it’s never too early or too late to celebrate the love that you share with those who matter most. What better way to relive that special day than a memorable holiday?”
The survey also reveals that after marriage, newlyweds are eager to start their adventure together with a ticket-for-two to anywhere.
More than half of respondents (58 per cent) dream of a romantic honeymoon to a warm, exotic destination, 28 per cent crave an exciting European retreat and 13 per cent long for a tropical island-hopping cruise.
How many honeymooners choose to stay close to home with family and friends? A mere one per cent.
Submit Your
Proposal Story and Win!
Transat Holidays has launched an exciting destination wedding contest.
Future brides and grooms are invited to submit their marriage proposal stories to www.sunshinewedding.ca. New stories will be posted on the site between now and April 4.
From April 5 to 15, 12 selected stories will be posted on both the English and French website and the public will be invited to vote for their favourite. Prizes will be awarded to the authors of the three stories with the most votes.
The author of the most popular story will win Transat Holidays’ Euphoria wedding package, part of the Weddings Away line, a one-week all-inclusive vacation for two at the Gran Bahia Principe Cayo Levantado Don Pablo Collection resort in Samana, Dominican Republic, a Birks Jewellery gift card valued at $10,000, and a La Vie en Rose Aqua gift card valued at $1,500.
