Junior Rasmussen
Planning a wedding can be a costly affair, and many couples are increasingly looking to destination weddings as a cheaper alternative. While the costs of a destination wedding can vary depending on the location and other factors, they are generally considered more cost-effective than traditional weddings. The average cost of a destination wedding is $9,850 per couple, compared to the average cost of a domestic wedding, which is $35,000. This is mainly because destination weddings typically have smaller guest lists, and the cost of the venue and other expenses can be included in an all-inclusive resort package. However, it's important to note that travel and accommodation costs for guests can be significantly higher, and couples may need to consider these factors when planning their dream destination wedding.
Are destination weddings cheaper?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Average cost of a destination wedding | $32,100 for international and $36,400 for domestic |
| Average cost of a traditional wedding | $20,000-$30,000 |
| Average cost of a domestic wedding | $35,000 |
| Average cost of a wedding in NYC | $45,000+ |
| Average cost of a wedding in the Midwest | $25,000 |
| Average cost of a destination wedding venue and package | $6,450 per couple |
| Average cost of a destination wedding for guests | $673 per person |
| Average cost of a traditional wedding for guests | $703 per person |
| Average cost of a destination wedding bachelorette party | $253 |
| Average cost of flowers and decor for a destination wedding | $2,800 |
| Average cost of catering per person | $85 |
| Average cost of cake/dessert | $540 |
| Average cost of airfare for a destination wedding | $1,000 |
| Average cost of accommodations for a destination wedding | $2,400 |
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What You'll Learn
All-inclusive destination wedding packages
Whether a destination wedding is cheaper or not depends on the location and the wedding. For instance, a destination wedding in Greece or the Caribbean is likely to be less expensive than one in New York City.
If you're looking for an all-inclusive destination wedding package, there are several options to choose from. Here are some of the most popular choices:
Sandals® All-Inclusive Destination Wedding Packages
Sandals offers all-inclusive destination wedding packages at their resorts in the Caribbean. Their resorts are located on stunning beaches, with white sand, turquoise waters, and romantic sunsets. They offer a variety of ceremony options, including non-denominational, non-religious, and religious ceremonies, as well as symbolic ceremonies at their Royal Curaçao location. Sandals provides a wide range of venues that can accommodate both indoor and outdoor events. They also offer a variety of flavours for the wedding cake, including vanilla, chocolate, Caribbean fruit, red velvet, and more.
Coconut Bay Beach Resort, St. Lucia
Coconut Bay Beach Resort in St. Lucia offers all-inclusive destination wedding packages with a range of stress-free options. The resort provides a personal wedding planner and premium inclusions to make your wedding unique and stress-free. You can choose from various settings for your ceremony, including the beach or an elegant oceanfront gazebo. Coconut Bay also offers bridal spa treatments, a signature champagne turndown service, sailing on a catamaran at sunset, and private island tours.
Valentin Imperial Riviera Maya, Mexico
Valentin Imperial Riviera Maya, located in the Caribbean, offers an all-inclusive resort wedding package called the "Eternal Love" package. This package includes a service of a judge or minister, a semi-private rehearsal dinner, wedding organization, a bouquet and boutonniere, a sound system, ceremony decor, a wedding cake, sparkling wine, a private cocktail hour, a private dinner reception, and more. You can invite additional guests for $150 per person.
Sandos Caracol Eco Resort, Mexico
Sandos Caracol Eco Resort in Mexico offers an all-inclusive wedding package called the "Sweet Romance" package. This package includes a wedding coordinator, a symbolic ceremony, ceremony setup, a wedding location of your choice, a sound system and microphone, a bouquet and boutonniere, basic setup and ambient lighting for the reception, sparkling wine for the toast, a complimentary room upgrade for the couple, and complimentary honeymoon amenities. Additional guests can be added for $85 per person.
These are just a few examples of the many all-inclusive destination wedding packages available. Each package offers a unique set of features and amenities, so be sure to research and choose the one that best suits your needs and budget.
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$9.99
Smaller guest lists
The size of the guest list is one of the most important factors when considering the cost of a destination wedding. Destination weddings tend to have smaller guest lists than local weddings, and this can help to keep costs down.
The number of guests will usually be smaller when the wedding is in a far-flung location. Even if you invite the same number of people as you would to a local wedding, you can expect a higher rate of attrition when overseas travel is involved. For a wedding in the UK or US, you can expect around 10% of invited guests to drop out. When UK couples travel to Europe for a destination wedding, this dropout rate can increase to 20-30%. For US couples asking guests to fly transatlantically for a destination wedding in Europe, even more, guests may decline.
Couples tend to spend more per guest at a destination wedding, often helping to finance their loved ones' travel and accommodation. However, the smaller guest list means that you can treat your attendees to a more opulent experience. You can also save money by booking an all-inclusive resort, as the hotel room, meals, open bar, and group activities are often included in the package.
The average cost of a destination wedding is around $27,000, but this can vary significantly depending on the destination and type of wedding. A destination wedding can be cheaper than a traditional wedding, with prices starting from under $10,000 for a small guest list of 30-50 people. The cheapest country for couples to get married in is Mexico, with a destination wedding in Riviera Maya costing less than $9,499. Other cheap places to get married include Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic.
To save money, you can also consider booking your wedding during the off-season, when travel costs are typically lower.
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Cheaper vendors
While the average cost of a destination wedding is around $27,000 to $41,000, there are ways to reduce costs and find cheaper vendors.
Firstly, consider the location carefully. Opting for a trendy or popular destination will likely result in higher costs due to high demand. Instead, look for budget-friendly locations, such as certain Caribbean islands, where your money might go further due to a favourable exchange rate.
Secondly, the type of location matters. A city wedding will likely be more expensive, with higher costs for the venue, hotel, transportation, and catering. A domestic location in your home country might also be more expensive, especially if you are based in the US, due to an inflated wedding market.
Thirdly, the timing of your wedding can impact vendor costs. Weekday weddings are often cheaper than weekends, especially if it's a popular holiday weekend.
Next, consider all-inclusive packages at resorts, which can offer better value as they bundle venue rental, accommodation, and vendors together. While some resorts work with specific vendors and charge fees for external vendors, others offer more flexibility.
Additionally, look for local vendors near your wedding venue to avoid shipping costs and take advantage of any promotions or group rates. Using video chats and photo portfolios can help you select vendors without having to meet them in person.
Finally, consider using reward points and credit card programs to offset costs for airfare, hotels, and restaurants.
By carefully considering these factors, you can find cheaper vendors and reduce the overall cost of your destination wedding.
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Less decor needed
One of the biggest advantages of a destination wedding is the venue. When you choose a destination wedding, you're already in an exotic location, so you don't need to spend as much on decor. Instead of a standard wedding hall, you can opt for a venue with a view, like a beach or a historic site, and let the natural beauty of the surroundings speak for itself.
The cost of decorating a venue can quickly add up, with flowers, lighting, and rentals often being necessary to transform a standard space into something special. However, with a destination wedding, you're already starting with a more impressive backdrop, so you can save money by needing fewer decorations.
In addition, destination weddings often take advantage of all-inclusive packages, where the venue cost is bundled with other services like catering and entertainment. This can further reduce the need for extra decorations, as some of these packages include basic decor, music, and even champagne for the ceremony.
While destination weddings can vary in cost depending on the location and other factors, the natural beauty of the chosen destination can often reduce the need for extensive decorations, making it a more cost-effective option.
Furthermore, destination weddings often have smaller guest lists, which can result in savings. With fewer guests, couples can splurge on higher-quality decorations without breaking the bank. This intimate setting allows for a more exclusive and tailored experience, enhancing the overall atmosphere without the need for excessive decor.
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Free honeymoon lodgings
While destination weddings can be cheaper, this is not always the case. There are, however, ways to keep costs down and even have free honeymoon lodgings.
Firstly, consider the location. While a destination wedding in a tropical location may be appealing, it is important to remember that costs can quickly escalate. For example, transportation and accommodation costs for you and your guests can be expensive. Therefore, consider a location that is less expensive than your home country or state. For instance, if you live in the US, getting married in Greece or the Caribbean may be cheaper than a wedding in your home country.
Secondly, many couples who opt for destination weddings tend to have smaller guest lists. This is often due to the distance and cost for guests to attend. A smaller guest list means you can spend less overall while still being able to treat your guests. You could also consider using reward points and miles to reduce costs, such as for airfare, hotels, and restaurants.
Thirdly, some resorts offer free wedding packages when you book a certain number of rooms or stay for a specified number of days. For example, Karisma Resorts offer "Cash For Your Bash" wedding credits, rewarding you for bringing guests to the resort. You could use these credits to cover some of your honeymoon lodgings.
Finally, some hotels offer romance packages or deals that allow you to extend your stay after your wedding. This could be a great way to have your honeymoon lodgings for free, especially if you use the "we're getting married" or "this is our honeymoon" card when negotiating with the hotel. You could also consider arriving a few days early and enjoying the resort amenities before your wedding.
By considering these options, you can keep the costs of your destination wedding down and even secure free honeymoon lodgings.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on the location and package. While destination weddings can be more expensive due to travel and accommodation costs, they can also be cheaper if the destination has a favourable exchange rate, or if you book an all-inclusive resort package.
Choose a destination with a favourable exchange rate, and consider an all-inclusive resort package where the venue and accommodation costs are bundled together. You can also save money by having a smaller guest list, and by using reward points to pay for a portion of the costs.
The main costs involved in a destination wedding are travel, accommodation, venue, food, drink, and decor. You may also need to pay for entertainment and photography, although these are sometimes included in the package.
