How Much Is A Destination Wedding?
We all have dream weddings, don’t we? Some fancy exchanging vows in their hometown close to family and friends, while others muse a destination wedding.
The latter is becoming more and more popular these days, with an increasing number of couples opting to travel somewhere to tie the knot. In 2019 alone, 21% of couples who got married chose a destination wedding over traditional hometown matrimony.
If you feel like joining the fad and wed somewhere you’ve been longing to go, know that a destination wedding comes with a hefty price tag. And it can be the biggest put off to most couple’s dream wedding. So how much is a destination wedding? We'll find more about out of town weddings and its cost below.
The 2 Types of Destination Wedding
So you've figured out that destination wedding is the one for you, the next question to settle is what type you would go for? There are two types of destination wedding, the professional and the resort.
Professional Destination Wedding
To do a professional destination wedding means the wedding takes place in a location that is outside your hometown or place of residence. Or it can also be a place where you and your partner do not reside, but it's where most of your relatives and friends are.
The set up of this type of destination wedding is similar to traditional weddings wherein vendors can take charge of the entire event. The planning can be a bit cumbersome as you will have to talk to your planner from afar.
Resort Destination Wedding
This type is probably everyone’s default idea when we speak about destination wedding. We’d often paint a mental image of a bride clad in white, in a beach in some tropical island, with the majestic sunset filling the backdrop, and the sand carpeting the ground. This is indeed the typical resort wedding destination that many dreams of.
Why resort destination weddings are becoming a sensation is not hard to guess. There’s a certain feel that only destination weddings can exude. The whole thing of tying the knot in a not so familiar place, away from the troubles that you have back home, in a paradise-like resort is a symbolism of how couples would like their marriage to be. Dreamy. Add up the vacation feels that everyone gets, and it’s definitely going to be a memorable day.
Resort destination weddings are often packaged by resort management. There are flexible ways to allow couples to bring in their own vendors and organizers, while there are those who don't. It's best to talk it out with the resort management before continuing your plans not to get disappointed upon figuring resort rules that can restrict your ready plans.
The Cost of Destination Wedding
There is no clear-cut answer to the question of how much is a destination wedding. It's because many things need to be considered, and price tags can vary from country to country. But one thing’s for sure though, if you’re bringing in guests and will be paying for their trip, that going to cost you a gargantuan of cash. So, instead of giving you a rough estimate, which may not apply to all, we give you a guide on what to ask when budgeting for a destination wedding.
The Destination
The biggest factor that'll determine the cost of your wedding will be the destination. Are you going continental or intercontinental? Is it in a premier resort on an island in the tropics? Or just within your state?
After figuring your ultimate destination, you can start searching for resorts and vendors. In some places, prices are fair and acceptable, while high-end destinations are expected to cost a little more, especially if you’re renting an entire resort for a more intimate wedding and honeymoon.
Couples who've gone for a destination wedding advice to set aside $5,000-$10,000 for the venue.
The Tickets
If your destination wedding requires flying on a plane, who shoulders for the guests' tickets? While no rule obliges couples to shoulder flying costs, you may want to consider your guests' limitations.
If you’re planning for a destination wedding, it would be best to announce the date way ahead of time to give your guests to prepare for their transportation expenses. Flight tickets can cost a lot and can greatly add to your budget when talking about how much is a destination wedding.
Set aside $600 for a local destination wedding and $4,000 for an intercontinental trip. This amount only covers you and your partner's fare.
Service Cost
Some popular wedding destinations offer really affordable services, way more than the country you're coming from. This is where you can save. However, make sure that while the price is lower, the quality of service aren't sacrificed.
You can search online for wedding vendors from the place and read reviews. It would be best to ask a friend or a relative living locally where the wedding is to be held to be extra certain. Or your organizers can fly in ahead of time to prep for everything. It all depends on your budget.
Accommodation
How long everyone stays in the resort will also determine how much is a destination wedding will be, especially if you’re footing the bill. If you are paying for room accommodation for your guests, prepare $100 to $200 per head per night of stay. But this isn't absolute, though, as you can opt for a package of resort exclusivity for a period of time. This may save you bucks than being billed individually. Explore your options well.
Others
There are other matters that you will add to your tab, and that includes legal fees and wedding planner fees. These also vary from state to state, especially overseas, so it's best to talk to local planners to get a more realistic estimate of how much these services will cost. Find out more about destination weddings.
Conclusion
A destination wedding maybe someone’s dream come true, but it could only be so with proper planning and efficient coordination. The success of this once-in-a-lifetime event relies on how much heart you put into it, and of course, how you're willing to spend. Planning this occasion starts by knowing how much is a destination wedding.
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