DIY Wedding Favors for Every Season

You want to leave your guests walking away from your wedding bash with a thoughtful token of your appreciation, but you are probably finding that wedding favors can be tough to get just right. You want to appeal to the wide range of styles, ages, tastes and cultures that suit your guests. And at a time when you are laying out money like you are some kind of ATM machine, you might also be hoping to be thrifty about it. You can make it special. Here are 22 wedding favors you can buy or DIY and these 12 favors are all under $2.

Favors tend to be one aspect of the wedding where bride and groom get to have some fun. Even if you didn’t inherit the crafty gene, you can still put your individual stamp on things with these 12 super easy DIY wedding favors.

While many ideas you see seem suitable for summer brides, we’ve got off-season weddings covered with fall favors and winter favors. And here are 21 more that are DIY.

When in doubt, an edible wedding favor is always appreciated. Who doesn’t like a tempting morsal? Make it something original. Among these 17 edible favors there’s sure to be one your guests will be talking about the next day.

Got a wedding favor idea that you just love? Tag us on Instagram @britandco.

(Photo via Getty)

Whether you're the maid of honor who's making sure the bride-to-be has a super exciting send off into this next chapter, or the bride-to-be in question who would rather take the reins of her own destiny, it's likely that you're gonna plan a bachelorette party prior to The Big Day. Amid all the wedding dress shopping and tablescape planning and talking through literally every single detail, it's important that this once-in-a-lifetime celebration with the bridal party is particularly special. And while Austin and Nashvegas are never a bad choice for a bachelorette party, sometimes you just want something a little different. With that in mind, I've rounded up 10 of the best bachelorette party destinations to pick for your favorite bride this year! Cheers, girlies!

Best Bachelorette Party Destinations In The United States

Image via AC Naples Hotel 5th Avenue

Naples, FL

There’s no better place to visit than sunny Florida and you can’t go wrong with a trip to Naples for a bachelorette party. Whether you want to relax by the beach or hit up the town, you’ll find everything in more in this city. Stay at the AC Naples Hotel 5th Avenue for easy access to the city’s unofficial main street and waterfront shopping destinations just a few steps away. For some nighttime fun, head on over to Cavo Lounge for a night full of dancing and drag shows and then late-night bites at The Hampton Social.

Image via The Equestrian Hotel

Ocala, FL

Looking for a more niche-option? Visit Ocala, Florida to be immersed in nature and wildlife of all sorts. From accommodations to attractions, nature and animal lovers will be in heaven. Horse lovers will fall head over heels for The Equestrian Hotel where they can watch horse races and enjoy a rejuvenating spa appointment. When meal time rolls around, stop by Mark’s Prime Steakhouse or Katya Vineyards for wine tasting and delicious fine dining your party will love.

Image via Paws Up Resort

Greenough, MT

A bride-to-be who can’t get enough of natural greenery will love a trip to Greenough, Montana. Start your trip at Paws Up Resort where you’ll find accommodations on a luxury ranch with glamping tents and vacation homes. Other activities in the area include trips to historical monuments like Greenough Mansion. Plus, stop by some craft distilleries including Montgomery Distillery to try hand crafted spirits and beverages.

Image via The Joule

Dallas, TX

The catchphrase “Everything’s better in Texas” not only applies to the southern culture, but also the restaurants, entertainment, and accommodations that make Dallas a must-visit destination. For bachelorette parties, not only will you find boutique hotels like The Joule filled with luxurious amenities like a spa and rooftop pools, but attractions including Party Cove for a relaxed boating experience and The Dallas Party Bike for lots of laughs, sights, and good times all around. When it comes time to eat, you’ll want to make reservations at Crown Block and Hudson House.

Image via The Ritz Carlton

New Orleans, LA

New Orleans is known for its tasty food, soulful music, and historic landmarks making it the perfect bachelorette party destination. Kick your visit off right by getting a room at The Ritz Carlton which will immerse you into the heart of the French Quarter and then head on out to the streets to find a plethora of shops, restaurants, and activities. Stop by Brigtsen’s for some classic cajun cuisine and dance the night away at The Metropolitan.

Image via Rosehill Vineyards

Long Island, NY

I know what you're thinking: the Hamptons? In this economy? Well, I'm here to let you in on a little secret — Long Island is much bigger than Montauk. TKTK Hampton Bays TKTK The Hampton Maid TKTK Greenport TKTK North Fork Vineyards like Wölffer Estate Vineyards and Rosehill Vineyards.

Image via Haley Sprankle

Miami, FL

This may seem like your typical bachelorette party destination, but Miami is honestly always a smooth move. I'd book a star at The Goodtime Hotel so you can take advantage of Strawberry Moon and all it's party glory. Content Editor Haley Sprankle went recently, and there was a literal champagne shower in the middle of the pool...definitely good vibes for the girlies! If you're looking for some delicious dining, Miami has a ton of great food, too! Komodo is a sceney restaurant for all your Hot Girl pics (and the most delicious lobster lo mein), C.Viche 105 has amazing Peruvian fair like ceviche and lomo saltado, and Bachour is perfect for brunch! And while there's no shortage of places to go out in Miami, Wynwood is a great neighborhood to hit the town.

Best Bachelorette Party Destinations Around The World

Image via Hotel Rochechouart

Paris, FR

Take a trip to Paris for an international and culturally-enriching experience suitable for any bachelorette party. Aside from seeing the Eiffel Tower, you can make pit stops at The Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, and Disneyland Paris. For added convenience, stay in the heart of Paris at Hotel Rochechouart that offers picturesque views and close proximity to popular destinations. There's plenty of perfect little side cafes and sweet spots to grab a drink, but here are a few options to keep in mind!
  • Visit one of the top 50 bars in the world, The Cambridge Public House, for unique cocktails and absolutely amazing pub food.
  • Swap out a more typical Magic Mike/Chippendales show and swing by Crazy Horse for a fun, artistic, and sexy show! The burlesque is amazing, and the girls will love sitting in the elegant theater with a few bottles of champagne to share. For a more tame burlesque show, visit the ever-iconic Moulin Rouge.
  • Book a reservation at Le Bon Georges for one of the best meals — and biggest wine selection!

Image via Atlantis

Atlantis, The Bahamas

Venture to the Bahamas to celebrate the bride-to-be at Atlantis. Choose from one of six resorts from The Cove for a more luxury stay to The Reef that’s geared more towards families. Aside from picturesque views and comfortable beds, you can engage in outdoor activities from marine adventures to crystal clear beaches for the ultimate relaxation experience. Plus, you may even be able to see some celebrities on your trip from Janet Jackson to DJ Pauly D.

Image via Meliá

Cozumel, Mexico

Mexico is always a good idea for a bachelorette party. Be sure to book your stay at Meliá Cozumel — it's an all-inclusive resort so all you have to worry about is whether you want a piña colada or a frozen margarita. From there, you've got beach days, pool soaking, spa appointments, and girly time galore. Sit back, relax, and party.

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Header image via RDNE Stock project / PEXELS

As much as I love an ugly Christmas sweater party, a small part of me still cringes at just how wacky they can be. There's a very fine line between 'ugly Christmas sweater' and 'playful holiday get-up' – but I think these fun holiday sweaters strike the perfect balance of the two. They're all colorful, festive, and so much fun to wear to any and every holiday get-together you've got going this year.

Scroll on for our favorite fun holiday sweaters for every party!

Anthropologie

1. The Violette Short-Sleeve Tinsel Sweater by Maeve

With 'tinsel' literally in this sweater's name, you'll be making a shiny statement wherever you wear this piece. It also comes in silver, gold, navy blue, and brown to suit your personal holiday style.

Abercrombie & Fitch

2. The A&F Madeline Crew Sweater

This femme 'fit boasts a bow that's reminiscent of holiday gifts and all things merry. It only helps that this sweater is super soft to the touch!

Urban Outfitters

3. Out From Under Catching Feelings Fairisle Print Cropped Pullover

This sweet holiday sweater has an adorable reindeer design along the front, so it's instantly going to fit in for any holiday party. You can also snag the pair of matching shorts to complete the coziness if you'd rather stay in.

Urban Outfitters

4. BDG Stella Star Graphic Oversized Pullover Sweater

With this sweater, you'll literally be a star. The color palette challenges holiday tradition in the best way, though you could totally make it a better fit for a party with a black mini skirt, tights, and metallic boots.

Anthropologie

5. Maeve Faux-Fur Collar Cropped Cardigan Sweater

Oh, so fancy! This cardi's collar is lined with faux fur to make it feel ultra-luxe. Layer it over your best party dress, and voila!

Nordstrom

6. ASTR the Label Velvet Bow Cardigan

Bring on more bows, please! This tie-up cardigan secures with two oversized velvet bows that speak to the holiday season flawlessly.

Gap Factory

7. Gap Factory Peanuts Relaxed Gap Logo Sweatshirt

Snoopy is truly a holiday icon, especially in his dramatic puffer jacket. Don the famous dog on this cozy sweatshirt – it's so much cuter than an ugly Christmas sweater, plus you'll earn mega compliments (everyone loves Snoop!) wearing it.

Free People

8. Free People Festive Frost Sweater

This fuzzy sweater is downright festive, thanks to the traditional stripes across the top half. We love it because it still leans very 'holiday,' but isn't explicitly so, since the color palette isn't just reds and greens.

Nordstrom

9. Vinyl Icons Martini Embellished Off The Shoulder Graphic Fleece Sweatshirt

Espresso martinis are a hallmark of the holiday season, and you simply can't change our minds on that. Get playful with your holiday sweater selection with this design that evokes a happy hour at any time of day, especially on a holiday break away from school or work!

Free People

10. We The Free Flower Patch Sweater

You'll be able to get a lot of wear out of this sweet red sweater around the holidays! The slouchy fit is ideal for pairing with even more winter layers to stay warm.

American Eagle

11. American Eagle Whoa So Soft Oversized Grinch Holiday Sweater

With Christmas' favorite villain on it, this super-soft sweater will always be in style around the holidays.

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Planning a wedding is an unforgettable experience and can lay the foundation to one of the most exciting milestones of a couple’s journey together in life, if not *the* milestone.

Between the surge of endorphins of a proposal that sweeps you both into an unreal level of romance to the non-stop swarm of loving messages from family and friends, the timespan from proposal to wedding day can truly feel like a fairytale. My favorite part? The giddy “OMG”s shrieked each time you look down or pass a mirror and catch a glimpse of your hand with its shiny new companion. A bit less magical than rocking your dreamy new ring, however, is taking on the ever-daunting task of bringing every detail of your dream wedding to life.

For years, whether it’s on Pinterest, Instagram, or scribbled in a weathered journal you kept from younger years, most romantics like myself have kept a tally of what their wedding would one day look like. And before you know it, it’s time to shift from casually pinning and saving ideas to hitting the ground running IRL. From narrowing down the perfect location and tablescapes to finding the ultimate dress (or two!), curating the moving parts to your wedding is a process you’ll want every bit of advice and wisdom that you can get your (newly shimmery) hands on.

Should you decide to take the exciting leap of celebrating your wedding abroad, the online search for diving into everything from venue options, foreign cultural traditions, language barriers, and more can feel endless. At times, there may even be a lack of information (or translated equivalents) that will leave you scouring message boards or other online forums for other couples who have been in your shoes. But fret not — there are plenty of brides who have perfected their big day in beautiful, exotic locations across the globe. Whether it’s a gorgeous Mediterranean gathering, an island-inspired bohemian escape, or any dreamy vision in between, I’m here to tell you that with the right tips at hand, you can make your wedding abroad come to life — without blowing your budget— embellished with equal parts adventure and unforgettable bliss.

How To Plan A Destination Wedding In 2023

Image via @niceofwedding

For our wedding day — or rather, week of celebrations — we selected Bodrum, Turkey as our destination. With family members traveling from the US, Europe, and the Middle East, this beautiful coastal town on the Turkish riviera made for the perfect backdrop to our international guest list. Think royal blue Aegean waters, picturesque Mediterranean islands, and white sailboats floating in the distance. Not to mention, we loved the excuse to provide (and strongly advocate for) an unforgettable vacation for everyone we love in a gorgeous, exotic destination. Here are ten things I learned from planning my wedding abroad!

1. Your Fantasy Location Might Not Be Your Final Choice

Image via @niceofwedding

While gathering initial inspiration for your wedding abroad, you may be dead-set on a popular location that you’ve spent years gushing over photos of online. However, many top destinations are now pricier or have limited in availability due to high exposure online and increased demand from new international appeal. In addition to reaching out to those top favorites on your venue wishlist, I recommend taking a look at lesser known destinations in the same country or region you’re interested in. By doing research beyond viral locations, you can find amazing hidden gems that feature the same landscape or cultural elements, but at a more affordable price. Plus, you provide a more custom experience than some of the “cookie-cutter” types of plans that are routinely repeated for weddings at larger venues in high demand.

When selecting Turkey as the destination for our wedding abroad, we initially thought Istanbul was the obvious choice for a venue. However, once taking a closer look at other lesser known, gorgeous locations along the Turkish coast, we discovered that basing our wedding in the luxurious beach town of Bodrum would mean less hustle and bustle of the capital city and a more peaceful, laid back experience. Our wedding planner, who was based locally in Bodrum, could easily coordinate everything needed for our special day in town. By bypassing excessively popular venue options in Istanbul and opting for a more “hidden gem” feel in Bodrum, our wedding party was able to all stay within walking distance (or a short cab ride away!) to everywhere we included in our lineup of events, eliminating the stress of getting in and out of a larger city. During the entirety of our stay in Bodrum, we experienced five star service and treatment from everyone from hotel concierge to taxi drivers to the owner of the restaurant where we hosted our Rehearsal Dinner. The small town feel made it feel like we, as Bride and Groom, were the talk of the town, with everyone itching to show us just how amazing local hospitality could be – and boy did they succeed!

Pro tip: Reach out to friends, family or your extended network for those who've traveled in/around the country you have in mind for your wedding. They might have a personal take on a stunning location to keep in mind that’s lesser known to tourists.

2. Choose A Home Base For Your Crew & Festivities

Image via @niceofwedding

The best way to offer a seamless experience at your wedding destination is to have a hotel and/or resort as the “home base” for your friends and family to all enjoy each other's company in one place. By selecting a clean, comfortable, and quality uniform accommodations for everyone in your party, you can simplify the process of coordinating plans to see one another, address incoming questions about events and in general keep things much smoother having everyone at the same place. Plus, it allows your guests to get cozy and socialize with one another while you’re on bride and groom duty.

In having the majority of our guests stay at the same resort (including us!), we were able to see everyone conveniently, get quality time by the pool or the beach, as well as refer everyone to the same on-site eateries for meals, drinks, and more. Our absolute favorite part of our wedding experience abroad was being able to essentially “live” with our loved ones gathered all in one place for almost a week, enjoying daily Turkish breakfasts along seaside views and seeing our guests leisurely enjoy the amenities of the resort, without the stress, confusion or separation of everyone at different hotels.

The concierge at the hotel is also highly aware of — and often prioritizes — larger bookings and parties, so they're equipped and ready with information to guide your guests on local tips, recommendations and information for getting around town. And of course, a financial perk is that with a large group accommodation, you should be able to negotiate a great discount on standard rates for rooms, suites and villas. Trust me – as bride and groom, you’ve earned the villa!

Pro tip: Design and send over a stylish itinerary for the hotel staff to print + place inside each of your guests’ rooms along with an optional souvenir to serve as a warm welcome for your family and friends. They can refer to the itinerary for all event information from date, time, location, and dress code for all of your wedding events.

3. A Wedding Planner (+ Odd Planning Hours) Are Non-Negotiable

Image via @niceofwedding

Even the most buttoned up brides will need the assistance of a wedding planner for their international nuptials. Between possible language barriers, cultural customs, and a close-knit local network of vendors that are much less visible to the social media eye, having a wedding planner based in your destination who's familiar with the local community is truly non-negotiable if you’re based in the States. While some couples might start their wedding planning journey by seeking a wedding planner first, followed by landing ceremony and reception venue(s), we started our wedding planning by securing our dream venue and resort (same place!) first and foremost. After that, we got wedding planner recommendations from the venue manager — this way, the venue team had a set recommendation for a wedding planner who had worked on their property before and was familiar with the in’s and out’s of what would work best on-site according to our ceremony and reception visions. We worked with the amazing Eda Kanitürk of @edavecicekleri to bring our dream wedding vision to life. Once your wedding planner and venue are locked in, it truly opens up the rest of the process in such a fun way, with your planner at your (virtual) side to guide you through the rest of details, choices, and approvals.

Keep in mind that with English as their second, third, or even fourth language, there will likely be a need to over communicate and clarify exactly what you’re looking for. Visuals, mood boards, and video examples are key in communicating your vision and helping your planner understand your style and taste fully, beyond any language and cultural differences. From tablescapes and floral arrangements to music and unique decor, it's absolutely crucial as a bride to share as much inspiration as possible with your planner so that you can feel confident knowing that when you wake up and walk down the aisle on your big day, that any misunderstandings will be minimized thanks to a thorough planning process.

In respect to the expected time zone differences between you and your wedding planner, expect early mornings, late nights, and weekends as opportune moments to schedule calls and check-ins. Frequent weekly check-ins with your planner in the beginning of the process are imperative to lay out the foundation of your wedding, share all of the inspiration, and get key vendors locked in and approved. In the few weeks leading up to the wedding, cue up any last check-ins about once a week to seal all of the final details and plan for in-person meetings preceding the wedding, once you are planning to finally land in your destination abroad. After months of planning, it was such an exciting moment to meet our planner in person in Turkey and have her assist on site throughout all of our celebrations, leaving us stress free and in pure wedding bliss.

Pro tip: Communicating via WhatsApp was an extremely useful tool for us, as we were able to text over questions as they were top of mind to us and have our planner address them via text or on our many thorough calls. We were able to share much of our visual inspiration by sending photos this way as well!

4. Vendor Choices Will Be More Limited (But That Might Be a Good Thing!)

Image via @niceofwedding

In executing the vision for your perfect wedding, choosing your vendors is such a critical piece of the puzzle. From the wedding cake to the DJ to hair and makeup, it can be overwhelming to narrow down a competitive market and compare quotes, offerings and style differences between them all. However, one ironic perk of planning a wedding abroad is actually having fewer choices at your fingertips for vendors. While it seems counterintuitive, the classic saying “less is more” comes to mind. In my experience, it was surprisingly refreshing to have our wedding planner only present 2-3 options for key vendors for floral, cake, hair, makeup, and DJ options.

As someone who absolutely loves the challenge of scouring online profiles and reviews of local vendors, it was far less stressful to have the options narrowed down for me right off the bat, due to a naturally smaller pool of wedding industry services in Turkey. By only having a few options to choose from, it allowed me to focus on the ones at hand and truthfully let go of the micro-managing I tend to feel Stateside. With a language barrier between myself and most of the vendors, I leaned heavily on my visual examples to speak for themselves, and it worked!

The most interesting part of the puzzle? Choosing our reception menu without being able to have a tasting on-site in Turkey. As a giant foodie, this was laughably the biggest surprise to myself and my then-fiance, who could see that I was enjoying the process of letting go and trusting that everything would be perfect, despite such little differences in planning abroad. In the end, the food was to die for and everyone in our party raved about it!

A stark reality of planning a wedding abroad is realizing how over-the-top the industry can be in the United States, with so many overpriced options and fluff around certain services. Choosing from only 2-3 makeup artists, hair stylists, cake options, DJs, etc, quickened the process and allowed me to freely focus on the big picture of how our wedding day was going to *feel* for everyone there. It taught me the art of letting go and trusting the process, which I (and the rest of any type-A brides out there!) will be forever grateful for.

5. Your Guest Count Will Likely Be Lower (In A Beautiful And Intimate Way)

Image via @niceofwedding

Much like expectations for your vendor pool, your expectations regarding the guest list and overall turnout will realistically be much lower for a wedding abroad. Even with the closest of friends and family members, it's great etiquette to keep in mind that there will be likely less of those invited who are able to make the lengthy trip, depending on the location, logistics, time off, personal, and work projects, etc. While it was naturally ideal for us to hope that every single person invited would tag along and take part of our big day, we were very understanding with all of our guests who had valid reasons as to why they couldn’t travel to across the globe, despite their loving wishes and happy blessings. Our wedding party happily turned out to be a close-knit family affair, with over 80 guests and relatives attending – many of whom we hadn’t seen in over twenty years. For this reason, the tighter and more intimate setting and guest count allowed us to truly connect with our loved ones in a way we’ll never forget. And for those friends who did make the journey to celebrate us, it created a new level of gratitude.

Pro tip: Since those family and friends who can’t attend your wedding abroad are still eager to celebrate you as Bride and Groom, seize the opportunity and host an amazing pre- or post- party celebrating your nuptials in an easier-to-access location where people can easily gather and you can enjoy a mini wedding with your Stateside crew! With my family based in Miami, we invited our closest friends for a beautiful pre-wedding dinner party under the stars, followed by a mini Bachelorette weekend to kill two birds with one stone! This weekend getaway was a fantastic way to make the most of everyone’s time who had traveled to be in Miami, knowing they wouldn’t be able to make it to Turkey. It was a hit and one of the most memorable moments of our pre-marriage season!

6. Embrace Local Cultural Traditions + Educate Your Planner On Your Own

Image via @niceofwedding

Just as food, fashion, language, and landscapes vary from place to place, wedding culture and customs in each country are heavily influenced by years of tradition and spiritual practice worldwide. While there’s every wedding style under the sun in the States, you may encounter or more streamlined or one-way tradition when conducting weddings abroad. First and foremost, it’s an important distinction to consider your wedding abroad to be a symbolic — meaning it's non-legally binding in that country. That way, a lot of the paperwork is avoided in the destination of your choice and you can focus on keeping the ceremony and reception purely as a celebratory event. That being said, in order to make your marriage legal back in the States, you'll have to take the steps and carry out a legal ceremony either before or after your wedding abroad.

When it comes to popular Stateside wedding practices, you might have to map out, educate, and provide your planner with visual examples of certain customs that are second nature to American wedding planners. Elements like a bouquet toss, cake cutting, first dances, and parent dances aren’t things you can assume your wedding planner will include, so make sure to clearly outline which American wedding traditions (or others!) you’ll want to highlight on your special day.

In planning our wedding in Turkey, we had to take a few key details into our own hands like asking our some of our favorite family members to serve as the officiant during our ceremony and the emcee/announcer during our reception, as officiants aren't a traditional part of weddings in Turkey and our DJ — like many vendors — wasn't comfortable speaking English. These quirks made us great problem solvers and allowed us to get our family and friends involved with heartfelt favors that made our vision come to life on an even more personal level.

Additionally, we wanted to complement our reception set up with a traditional Sofreh Aghd, a Persian wedding table bedazzled with items meant to bless the bride and groom on their union, including sweets, candles, fresh flowers, mirrors, and more. It was important for me to walk through each step in curating the Sofreh Aghd with our wedding planner and send her the exact inspiration and details to work off of in gathering the items locally. Thanks to our endless chats, her resourcefulness in Turkey and her general amazing taste, the Sofreh turned out even more beautifully than I ever imagined.

​7. Your Money Will Go Much Further

Image via @niceofwedding

A popular reason many couples dip their toes into planning their wedding abroad is not only the allure of an exotic backdrop, but the fantastic perk of knowing that your dollar will often stretch much further in other countries when it comes to paying for a wedding. Where the industry in America is inflated beyond belief, the market abroad can be very humble with offering truly luxurious locations, services, and planning at a much lower price.

To clarify, the picture-perfect wedding of your dreams will likely still cost you a pretty penny abroad, but the amount will likely be significantly lower overall in comparison to mimicking the same setup you have in mind in the States. This financial benefit can influence everything from getting a five star hotel or resort experience at half the price that you’d pay in the US, to the ability to deck out your venue with a deluxe variety of floral arrangements at a much lower price point. With a bit more wiggle room in your budget, you may have the option of adding unique little touches to your event that make your guests feel truly special such as a small gift, covered meals, or other little mementos that show how much you appreciate them making the journey to celebrate you.

For us, having our wedding in Turkey allowed us to give our entire party a five star experience at a seaside resort with daily complimentary breakfast — and I’m not talking about a sad muffin and orange juice, because it was a full on over-the-top traditional Turkish breakfast served daily! And if you're a numbers person, I have the receipts to prove my destination wedding was a huge savings!

  • $6,000 included ALL wedding planning services from our planner and all florals, decor, and tablescape items for the wedding ceremony and reception. In my local area, wedding planner services are at ~$5-10K alone, and florals at $2-5K. I feel like this is really where we got the biggest bang for our buck and got the look and services we wanted for half the price!
  • $20,000 for combined resort and venue cost covering 3 locations on the property for 3 separate events, also including all appetizers, dinner, cake + unlimited alcohol/open bar at our wedding. In my research, a similarly plated multi-course dinner alone would be ~$15-30K, and coastal/waterfront venue rental for something similar to ours would be $10K+
  • $500 for bridal hair and makeup, which would usually go for $1-2k.
Those three factors add up to a savings of $36.5k — and that was just a handful of areas we were able to save! Imagine the possibilities!

Pro tip: Consider your now-expanded budget an opportunity to host 1-2 additional events or gatherings beyond the wedding day to make your guests who have traveled feel truly special. We hosted a Welcome Party complete with a fully catered traditional Turkish feast and a cultural ceremony the day after our wedding that highlighted dance, music and you guessed it – another delicious feast for everyone to remember forever. Hosting three back-to-back gatherings was something we never would have been able to afford in the US, so it was our pleasure to spend a bit of our carved out funds on our guests who traveled far and wide to be with us. Plus, who doesn’t love multiple bridal looks to shop for! 😉

8. Your Honeymoon Just Got Cheaper

Just like most couples who find the thrill in traveling and exploring new territory together, planning our honeymoon was the most exciting pay-off of the wedding planning process. Knowing we’d be able to keep the party going and experience our first week together as husband and wife on our honeymoon was thrilling. While many modern couples are deciding to push their honeymoon out to cater to work schedules, or just to get a breather after bringing your monumental moment to life, we decided to keep it old school and dive right into ours!

By basing your wedding abroad, you'll be in a much better position to purchase affordable plane tickets and hop right over to your honeymoon destination if it’s in reasonable proximity to your wedding destination. From Turkey, we were easily able to hop on our plane to Spain and Italy, where we sipped, ate and vacationed our way in newlywed bliss. Not only did our entire spend on plane tickets for our entire trip pre and post wedding add up to much less than starting off Stateside, but we also enjoyed the nice perk of having already adjusted to the European time zones so we could be active without worrying about the jet lag crash!

Some couples might opt for staying put at their wedding destination abroad for their honeymoon, as they bid adieu to beloved wedding guests and enjoy some romantic R&R without the buzz of friends and family around. If you’re already in love with the resort or hotel you’ve made yourself home at for the wedding, why not just extend your stay and get a super relaxing honeymoon without the hustle and bustle of any further travel?

Pro tip: Book your travels on a mult-city plan from the airline you fly the majority of your trips with. You’ll not only save money by letting their algorithms place together all the legs of your trip in one fell swoop, but also lots of time in honeymoon planning, which post-wedding organizing, is the best gift of all. We used Turkish Airlines for our combined travel to and from Turkey, Spain, Italy and the US.

9. Post-Wedding Logistics Are Important

Image via @niceofwedding

Perhaps the most important and overlooked element of all is what happens AFTER your wedding. While a Stateside wedding might mean being closer to home or able to cater to the logistics of where decor, gifts, wardrobe, and other details will be kept once the party’s over, it’s a much more crucial process to plan this portion of your wedding out if taking place abroad.

Everything from your formal dress(es), tuxedos, and suits to thoughtful gifts, jewelry, or new funds from loving family and friends must be safely transported back to the US. Without a car or an option to leave and pick up anything at a later time, it was a very key part of the process for us to research dollar limit amounts and pre-plan packing logistics for how to get these important items back home. Not to mention, we had a whole honeymoon’s worth of travel ahead of us, and we didn't want the pressure of holding on to these irreplaceable items!

Your family is the most trustworthy, and if you’ve got a close relative who lives nearby back home, it’s best to give them an important heads up and ask if they're willing to help by transporting items back home with them until you make it back yourself. For us, we planned ahead and brought one extra compact carry on each, where we’d plan to place my wedding dress (gently rolled up!), my husband’s tuxedo (again, rolled up in a designated suit carrier), as well as any physical gifts we received and could safely pack alongside. Two of our relatives who live close by to us in California were happy to assist as they were traveling directly back home after the wedding in Turkey and upon arrival from our honeymoon, we were able to retrieve our items. It was a foolproof system, but only because we planned ahead and reached out for assistance ahead of time so they knew what the plan was.

As far as any financial gifts, we wanted to avoid having any physical forms of money gifted to us at the wedding so we didn't have to carry it or deposit it into our accounts while abroad, so we offered our guests the convenient option of donating to our Honeymoon Fund on our wedding website. This was definitely the easiest way to go, and highly recommended for anyone else planning their big day to not only use this digital feature, but also take advantage of creating a free wedding website to fill your invited loved ones with all of the exciting details!

10. The Best Part: It Will Feel Like A Vacation!

Image via @niceofwedding

Of course, *the* key element that drives the dream of hosting a wedding abroad in a gorgeous setting is providing yourselves and your favorite people with a trip of a lifetime. For those with families spread out across the globe (or the US!), inviting beloved family and friends to celebrate this exciting milestone all together in one exotic place is an irresistible opportunity to reunite and enjoy a vacation as one big, amazing group. For those with to-be-spouses with the majority of family in faraway places, it also is a heartfelt way of making it easier for his/her family members to attend without worrying about the extensive costs of a ticket to the US.

By choosing Turkey, we were able to embrace all of our family members from the US, Europe, and the Middle East in a central location and spark a reason to drop their daily routine and meet for a momentous occasion, all while enjoying a vacation of a lifetime by the sparkling Aegean Sea. Witnessing the looks of relaxation, happiness and joy on everyone’s faces amidst beach-side breakfasts, festive outbursts of dance and song and zen-laced moments on strolls around town were the greatest gift of all. Knowing that a wedding abroad was not only centered on our union as one, but our family’s ability to reunite made us like all of the extensive planning was worth every last drop.

Pro tip: Given the climate of each location will vary, keep a close eye on the typical seasonal weather around the time of year you’re aiming for your wedding to take place and consider that the temperature and daily forecasts will have a large impact on the comfort of you and your party upon visiting. From wind to rain to above or below average temperatures, it’s wise to ask your planner first thing in the process to advise the optimal times of year to host your wedding and avoid any unfriendly weather conditions as best as possible.

Image via @niceofwedding

If you’re thinking of planning your wedding and the idea of doing it abroad is intriguing to you and your future spouse, take this as your sign to go for it and don’t look back! It’s a bold decision to depart from the norm and think outside of the box. You might be met with resistance from your families, but I promise you that if you follow your heart, everyone will be absolutely amazed once it all unfolds on that special day. Whether it’s 10,000 or 10 miles away, there’s a magical place that has your name (+ future new last name!) written all over it. Happy planning, bride!

Looking for more wedding planning inspo? We've got you covered at Brit+Co!

Photography courtesy of @niceofwedding.

Christmas party games are a fun way to connect, relieve some holiday stress, and bring some holiday cheer, way better than zoning out in front of the TV or navigating tricky political conversations. Whether you're hosting a holiday party or hosting the big day (or eve), here are some ROFL Christmas games for adults and kids to experience real holiday joy, perhaps create some new traditions, and take the best IG shots of the season.

Here are 20 exciting Christmas party games you can play with the whole family!

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Christmas Charades

Play charades with a holiday twist! Write down Christmas-themed clues (e.g., decorating a tree, Rudolph, Mariah Carey, building a snowman...) and have teams act them out. Keep it simple for kids, especially ones learning to read, or add some pop culture references (Buddy the Elf, anyone?) for adults-only parties.

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Name That Carol!

Play short snippets of Christmas songs and have guests guess the title. To up the challenge, use instrumental versions or hum the tune. For kids, you can turn this into musical chairs with holiday music!

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Christmas Trivia

Create trivia questions about Christmas movies, traditions, and songs. Bonus points for the most obscure facts! Here's a few to start:

  • Which country started the tradition of putting up a Christmas tree? (Answer: Germany)
  • In the song Twelve Days of Christmas, what is given on the 7th day? (Answer: Swans a-swimming)
  • Which country celebrates “Feliz Navidad”? (Answer: Spain or Latin American countries)

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Guess the Holiday Scent

Use candles, essential oils, or holiday-themed spices like cinnamon, peppermint, or pine. Blindfold guests and have them guess the scent. Throw in some unexpected surprises like egg nog, maple syrup or Scotch tape.

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Snowball NBA

If you're lucky enough to have a White Christmas, set up buckets outside labeled with different point values. Guests toss real snowballs, or “snowballs” like white cotton balls or small foam balls if you're playing indoors, into the buckets for points.

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The Awkward Gift Wrap Race

Find awkwardly shaped items around the house, like a basketball or stuffed animal, and provide rolls of wrapping paper. The fastest (and neatest) gift wrapper wins!

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Ornament Relay

Hand out spoons or chopsticks and teams have to race to get ornaments from one side of the room to another.

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Candy Cane Hunt

Similar to an Easter egg hunt, hide candy canes around the house or yard and let guests hunt for them. Wrap a few with dollar bills to up the ante .;)

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Holiday "Who Am I?"

Stick Christmas-themed names or characters (e.g., the Grinch, Jude Law, Holiday Armadillo, Charlie Brown) on players' foreheads. Guests ask yes/no questions to guess who they are. It's a great ice breaker for new friends!

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Gingerbread Decoration Contest

Anything with a ticking clock adds a certain element of hilarity to it. Give your teams gingerbread houses with icing and decorations. Let the creativity flow, and award prizes for categories like “most festive” or “funniest" or "worst construction."

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Here are more Christmas games to play this season:

Jingle Bell Toss: Set up your college-era Solo cups into a bowling pin formation at opposite ends of the table. Each players tries to get large jingle bellsinto the opposite side’s cups. The first player to get a bell in each cup wins.

Human Hungry Hungry Hippo: Pair up, stand in a circle, and hand out plastic candy canes. Toss shatterproof Christmas balls in the middle of the circle. One person stands, holding the feet of the other person on the floor. The person on the floor tries to collect more balls with the candy cane than the other teams for a human version of Hungry Hungry Hippo!

Christmas Pictionary: Like charades, but on paper. Use pop culture references like "Hallmark Holiday Movie" or holiday-themed phrases like "Silent Night" for teammates to guess.

Left-Right Christmas Story Game: Make up a holiday story that includes the words "left" and "right" often. Guests pass a wrapped gift or object left or right as the words are mentioned, and whoever holds it at the end keeps the gift!

Christmas Bingo: Downloadbingo cards with holiday symbols or themes. Mark them off as they’re called out. First to yell “Bingo!” wins.

Reindeer Ring Toss: Use inflatable reindeer antler hats (or make your own) and toss rings to see who can "decorate" the reindeer.

Christmas Cookie Taste Test: Bake or buy a variety of holiday cookies. Blindfold guests and see who can identify the most flavors correctly.

Christmas Movie Emoji Quiz: Create a string of emojis that represent Christmas movies and have guests guess the titles.

Snowman Building Contest: If there’s snow, go outdoors for a snowman-building competition! If indoors, use toilet paper to “wrap” someone as a snowman.

Holiday Scavenger Hunt: Make a list of Christmas-related items like a red ornament, mistletoe, or a stocking and have guests search for them in teams.

Christmas Karaoke: Set up a karaoke machine or app and sing along to holiday classics. Bonus points for best singer or most dramatic performance!

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Following in the footsteps of movie musicals like Mean Girls, Wicked might just be the 2024 movie we're most excited for. The fantastical design, beautiful songs, and enemies-turned-besties relationship between Elphaba and Glinda come together like magic. The show first opened on Broadway in 2003 with Idina Menzel as Elphaba and Kristin Chenoweth as Glinda. Stephen Schwartz, lyricist and composer, has teased the film since 2017, and every little bit of new news gets us more excited to finally travel to Oz on the big screen. Keep reading for everything we know about the gravity-defying fall movie!

Here's the latest news on 2024's brand new Wicked movie.

  • Wicked is coming to theaters this November.
  • The movie's based on the musical of the same name, which premiered in 2003.
  • The Wicked cast includes Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, and Marissa Bode.

Is there a Wicked movie singalong?

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Good news for singers and theatre kids alike: Wicked singalongs are coming to theaters! While the movie premieres on November 22, interactive screenings are coming to around 1,000 movie theaters in North America starting December 25. Stay tuned for location details! Until then, please do us all a favor and hum under your breath during "Defying Gravity."

What has the Wicked cast said about each other?

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The Wicked cast truly became a family onset. Ethan Slater exclusively told Brit + Co that Ariana Grande & Cynthia Erivo welcomed everyone into the film "with open arms," while Michelle Yeoh added working together was "magical." Meanwhile, our leading ladies went viral for crying over how much they mean to each other.

And Jonathan Bailey just spilled some more behind the scenes secrets in his Vanity Fair cover story. In addition to calling Ari and Cynthia "the girls" (which is a nickname I love!! I feel like it emphasizes how close they are by highlighting the fact there's only two people he could be talking about), he opened up about the support he received making the transition from Fellow Travelers and Bridgerton to Wicked.

"I’d flown back from Canada and then I was filming Bridgerton," he says. "I met the girls then, and they were well and truly underway. I remember going to the dressing rooms, and theirs were pink and green and were just spilling into the hallway. And mine was just an interrogation room with nothing. But I did spend the whole day with [choreographer] Chris Scott and went from Chris Scott to see [musical writer] Stephen Schwartz, and it was just, for me, boot camp days. You just lean on the amazing choreographers and obviously [director] Jon M. Chu’s vision."

What is the Wicked movie release date?

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Wicked: Part I hits theaters on November 22, 2024. It was originally scheduled for a Christmas release (and then Thanksgiving) but the sooner, the better IMO!

And good news for any Amazon Prime subscribers: you can see the movie early! Amazon's new “Oz on Amazon” campaign means members can screen Wicked in theaters November 18, four whole days before the rest of the world sees it. Get tickets here while they're still available!

Will there be a Wicked movie soundtrack?

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Yes, we're getting a Wicked movie soundtrack! Full of beloved Broadway numbers like "Popular," "I'm Not That Girl," and "The Wizard and I," this is an album for a whole new generations of Ozians.

“The other week I was visiting my family in Boca and I was up late one night with my headphones on because the mixes had just come in for the soundtrack,” Ariana Grande told Allure in September. “I was sitting in my childhood bedroom with the poster across from my bed signed by the original Broadway cast and listening to our mixes of the soundtrack. It was really emotional. I just burst into tears.”

Watch The Wicked Trailer!

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If you didn't already believe that Wicked was going to be the musical movie event of the century, this trailer will convince you. The dancing! The costumes! The literal magic! I am going to be weeping the entire time (and I need to start working on my Halloween costume STAT!)

Check Out The New Wicked Poster

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The newest Wicked poster shows off Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo as Glinda and Elphaba like we've never seen! As a Glinda girl myself, I love to see all the details on Ariana's costume, plus all the texture and intricacies on Cynthia's. The poster is totally giving "The Creation of Adam" painting with Glinda and Elphaba just out of reach of one another — and it also reminds of "Defying Gravity" since Elphaba is in the air!

Who else is in the Wicked movie cast?

Sophy Holland/Universal Pictures/Vanity Fair

We got a first (leaked) look at Bridgerton star Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero the week of May 13. We already know that he can sing so we're extra excited to see him in action alongside Ariana and Cynthia!

In this Vanity Fair first look, we see the three actors are joined by a powerhouse cast including Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard and Everything Everywhere All At Once star (and Academy Award winner!!) Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible. The cast also features Broadway actor Ethan Slater as Boq, Marissa Bode as Nessarose, SNL star Bowen Yang as Pfannee, and The Greatest Showman actress Keala Settle as Miss Coddle.

We might have gotten a first glimpse at the movie during CinemaCon 2023, but this year's convention finally revealed the one cast member we've been waiting for: Dr. Dillamond, who will be played by Peter Dinklage.

"The wicked movie now has an academy award winner, grammy winner, tony winner and an oliver award winner," says @sheeshgwws on X. "i mean the talent is stacked."

Who auditioned for the Wicked movie?

Kevin Winter/Frazer Harrison/Amy Sussman/Getty Images

Before we got the official Wicked cast list, it turns out that a lot of our favorite stars went out for the film! When the movie was in its earliest stages of pre-production, back in 2014, Lea Michele and Harry Styles were reportedly the frontrunners for Elphaba and Fiyero (via The Guardian).

And once Jon M. Chu was attached to direct and the film really took off, a lot of stars we know and love made it into the audition room. Reneé Rapp told Watch What Happens Live that she auditioned for Glinda, while Dove Cameron confirmed she also auditioned for the role, via The Wrap. Amanda Seyfried was also in the running for the Good Witch, and revealed she auditioned (via Cosmopolitan) when she was playing Elizabeth Holmes in The Dropout.

But the most surprising bit of news to me is that Joe Jonas and Nick Jonas went out for the same role! Nick confirmed to Variety that both brothers auditioned for Fiyero.

Considering in the mid-2010s One Direction was at the top of their game, Mamma Mia star Amanda Seyfried proved her singing chops again in Les Misérables, and we all had major crushes on the Jonas Brothers (still do, TBH), this cast would have overwhelmed every Tumblr musical theater girlie in the very best way.

Who is Jonathan Bailey playing in Wicked?

Sophy Holland/Universal Pictures/Vanity Fair

Jonathan Bailey from Bridgerton is starring as playboy-turned-lover boy Fiyero. When he first meets Glinda and Elphaba, he's taken with Glinda's charm and popularity, but he quickly realizes there's much more to Elphaba than meets the eye. In this Vanity Fair first look, we see that just like Anthony Bridgerton, Fiyero has an affinity for vests, billowy shirts, and horses. I'm not mad about it.

Why was Ariana Grande at the Oscars 2024?

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Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo presented the award for "Best Score" and "Best Original Song" at the Oscars 2024! The duo showed up ahead of the Wicked movie (which hits theaters this fall), wearing their best Oz-approved fashion. Ariana Grande wore a voluminous bubblegum pink gown from Giambattista Valli Haute Couture that was reminiscent of Glinda the Good Witch, while Cynthia Erivo channeled Elphaba in a leather green Louis Vuitton dress.

While the aesthetic and fabric of both dresses were very different (similar to their Wicked characters!) both Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo looked stunning and otherworldly thanks to the artistic silhouettes. I am simply in love with Ariana's off-the-shoulder bubble cape, and Cynthia's ruffled sleeves. I can't wait to see the rest of their press looks!

What is the Wicked movie about?

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Wicked is an origin story for the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good from The Wizard of Oz. As young women, Elphaba and Glinda uncover the wizard's plot to suppress all of the animals in Oz and keep his power. When Elphaba tries to expose him, he frames her for the act. Wicked will be directed by Jon M. Chu, who also directed 2021's In The Heights. We loved his work on that blockbuster musical, so we can't wait to see what Chu brings to the big screen with Wicked this time!

Who will play Elphaba in the wicked movie?

Cynthia Erivo/Instagram

Elphaba will be played by Broadway star Cynthia Erivo. She starred in a revival of The Color Purplefrom 2015 to 2017, winning a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance. She also took to the screen in films like Harriet, Pinocchio, and Bad Times at the El Royale. Cynthia Erivo first teased her Wicked look in an Instagram post, and we can't wait to see more!

Who is playing Glinda?

Ariana Grande/Instagram

Popstar and actress Ariana Grande will play Glinda in the films. We're very excited about this, especially after she sang "The Wizard And I" at the 2018 Wicked 15th Anniversary Special. Ariana may be a global pop sensation, but she has strong roots in musical theatre, starring as Charlotte in 13 the Musical in 2008. She's also been asking the Wicked team about a movie for over ten years!

“Since I was 20, I was like, ‘Hey, I don't know when this is happening, but when it's happening, may I please at least just audition?’" Ariana Grande tells Amazon Music's Zach Sang. "That's all I wanted, was an audition. I've never wanted anything more.”

Ariana prepped for the audition with “voice lessons every day, acting lessons every day” for six whole months. “I trained every single day to prove to [Wicked producers] that I could handle taking on this other person," she says.

Why is the Wicked movie two parts?

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Wicked will be split into two parts, just like the Broadway show. That way, the stakes will feel higher, and we'll have more time with the characters! The two-part release follows in the footsteps of blockbusters like The Hunger Games and Dune. Wicked: Part I will premiere in November 2024, and the second part will follow the next year.

Why is Wicked coming out in 2024?

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The Wicked movie was originally supposed to premiere in 2021 but because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the film got pushed. Thankfully, the strikes during the summer of 2023 didn't delay the movie at all!

Watch The Brand New Preview For "Wicked" Here!

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Hopefully the wait for the 22 will only feel like One Short Day...until then, catch us watching this preview on repeat!

Keep checking back here for more Wicked movie updates and let us know what you're most excited about on Twitter! Until we get to see the movie in theaters, check out the top Spring Movies and Summer Movies to watch in the meantime!

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This post has been updated.