There are so many benefits to having a destination wedding. For couples who have the travel bug, jetting off to a beautiful place to exchange vows—perhaps surrounded by your loved ones, or maybe in an intimate ceremony—couldn’t be a better way to celebrate the love of your life. And while destination weddings are a dream scenario for many, they tend to be on the pricier side. (Weddings in general aren’t easy on the wallet, and adding travel into the mix can significantly increase the overall budget.)
All is not lost, though! We’ve called upon industry experts to lend advice on how to plan a memorable destination wedding on a budget. Ahead, find tips from experts whose job it is to help couples plan their dream marriage celebrations while managing their wedding budget.
What to Consider When Planning a Destination Wedding on a Budget
Creating your budget will be one of the very first steps to planning your affordable destination wedding. Budget planning for destination weddings often begins more than a year in advance, and for many, this part of the process can overshadow the joys of planning. But it’s a necessity if you want to save money. “When creating a budget, you should research the local area to see what’s realistic for that region,” says wedding planner Beth Helmstetter, CEO & creative director of Beth Helmstetter. “From there, figure out your financial comfort zone.”
It’s important to set an early budget because like with most events, there can be hidden costs. “You’ll need to factor in things like the trips you’ll take to visit the destination before your wedding day,” notes wedding specialist Fallon Carter, founder and creative director of Fallon Carter Events, who suggests identifying the number you don’t want to exceed in expenses, removing 20 percent, and making that your wedding budget. “Weddings often go over budget by 20 percent—this formula factors in for that.”
How to Find Affordable Venues:
Doing your research with a destination wedding planner well ahead of your wedding date will help you hone in on the options for an affordable venue. From there, you can find ways to cut costs. For example, choosing a venue with natural beauty can save tons of money on decorations. “I work with a lot of striking venues including ones in Santorini, Greece, that provide a ton of natural beauty,” says Nicole Bono, the owner and founder of Bono Events International, who uses the venue’s natural beauty as a “frame” for the decor. “We’ve had clients nix florals altogether, whether for sustainability purposes or savings, and the wedding is still beautiful thanks to the gorgeous outdoor backdrops,” shares Bono.
And taking advantage of the natural splendor around you doesn’t just mean using an ocean or tropical plants as your backdrop. “Incorporating local produce inspired by the region, like colorful citrus or fresh herbs on tablescapes can be a way to be more resourceful with the budget,” says Helmstetter.
Tips for Saving Money on Travel and Accommodations
Travel will likely be one of your biggest expenses during a destination wedding, but our experts say there are a few ways to cut back on spending. Combining a wedding and honeymoon, for example, has its advantages—most notably cost savings. Some resorts will offer couples a free stay if their wedding ceremony is held on the property while others will provide a complimentary wedding package that includes everything (like the cake, decorations, and flowers) if a couple stays a certain number of days. You also save yourself the stress of additional packing and the hours of travel time moving from your venue to your new honeymoon locale. Having a combination wedding/honeymoon will also make your wedding memories extra special since you’ll associate both events with a single place and time.
How to Cut Costs on Food and Drink
Local vendors should be an automatic “yes” as they know the area and venue the best—and they can really help cut costs with food, drinks, and decoration. Having the resort’s referral also pretty much ensures there won’t be any issues with your event. “Asking the resort for their approved vendor list also cuts down on research time and since the resorts usually work with the same vendors, you may be able to negotiate a better deal,” says Helmstetter. “That said, resorts often tag on surcharges related to booking vendors through their services so be sure to ask about any fees or upcharges ahead of time.”
Other Ways to Save Money on Your Destination Wedding
In addition to cutting costs on food, decorations, travel, and vendors, our experts share a few other tips for cutting costs during your destination wedding.
Hire a Destination Wedding Planner:
One of the best ways to reduce costs and ensure your wedding runs smoothly is to hire a destination wedding planner. Yes, this expert will cost you a good chunk of change, but they might end up saving you money in the long run; not only do these planners understand the ins and outs of wedding contracts (often in other countries!), but they typically have plenty of vendor connections (especially if you hire a local planner with expertise to your destination) to secure the best package possible.
Have a Weekday Wedding:
Being open to scheduling your wedding in a less traditional time slot—like a shoulder or off-season period or day of the week—will expose you to reduced rates. For example, having a Thursday night dinner instead of a Saturday night can save big-time on costs. “Plus, I love a pre-weekend wedding as guests then have Saturday and Sunday to explore the locale,” says Carter.
Booking a date off-season also saves on costs related to airfare, hotel rooms, and potentially vendor support, however, it can also mean undesirable weather conditions, like hurricane season. “And poor weather conditions can result in unexpected added expenses such as tent rentals,” adds Helmstetter.
Downsize Your Guest List:
A more intimate and romantic wedding means fewer guests, which is a major way to save money on any wedding. “Couples have told me it’s cheaper to do a destination wedding because if they got married back home, they’d have to invite over 300 guests and that running away makes it easier to filter the invite list and have a more intimate celebration,” says Navor. “It’s a win-win for the couple—they get to save money and spend more quality time with their guests.”
Conclusion:
Planning your dream destination wedding is a journey filled with anticipation, creativity, and meticulous organization. By selecting the perfect location, establishing a clear budget, and leveraging the expertise of local professionals and innovative technologies, you can create an unforgettable celebration that mirrors the essence of your love story.
Remember, the beauty of your wedding lies in the shared experiences and memories created with your loved ones in a setting that holds deep meaning to you both.
