Celebrating the beginning of a lifelong partnership, weddings encapsulate a single day's worth of immense planning and substantial financial outlay. Couples who may not have an extensive budget or who prefer a more intimate celebration often opt for choosing to celebrate in a destination that serves as both a ceremony site and a vacation getaway. However, those aiming to plan a destination wedding on a budget quickly realize that these events can still incur significant costs, particularly with various unforeseen challenges such as international legalities, and arranging for essential services like food, servers, venue fees, entertainment, decor and more.
The choice of wedding location significantly influences the availability of vendors and venues, often leading to unexpectedly higher costs for budget items. Furthermore, travel expenses play a major role, as destination weddings require the unique nuance of flight and accommodation costs for the attendees, unlike local weddings. Thankfully, industry experts confirm that many couples can adopt cost-saving strategies to preserve elegance while minimizing expenses.
TYPICAL BUDGET BREAKDOWN
In this area, we suggest prioritizing two things – setting a realistic budget and identifying the number of guests. These will be used as a start-off point in breaking down the costs and finding the best wedding package for you.
Here’s a sample budget breakdown for your destination wedding:
Venue & Set-up Fees: 25%
Accommodation: 20%
Food & Beverages: 30%
Transportation: 10%
Make-up: 5%
Photography & Videography: 5%
Favours & gifts: 5%
Please note that the above sample breakdown can be adjusted depending on your guest lists or if there are other costs you’d like to consider.
COST-SAVING STRATEGIES
Destination weddings provide breathtaking backdrops and create unforgettable memories. While initial costs for a destination venue might seem higher, many resorts offer all-inclusive packages that cover not only the ceremony but also accommodation, meals, and activities. This bundled approach can be more cost-effective than doing local weddings.
Nature provides the backdrop, reducing the need for elaborate decorations. Guests often pay their own way for travel. Combine your wedding and honeymoon! No need for separate travel expenses.
Indeed, destination weddings can be both magical and cost-effective. Here are some more cost-saving strategies to save on expenses while planning your dream wedding away from home:
Check off-season dates
Choose a wedding date that is off from the peak tourist season. This will help lower the travel costs and accommodation.
Pick a weekday
Weekdays offer cheap costs for travel and accommodation.
Search for an all-inclusive resort
Explore resorts that could offer a bundle wedding venue, reception venue, entertainment, food & beverages, all-in-one package.
Group bookings
Work with a travel agent (like us!) or resort directly to see if they offer group booking discounts for your guests' flights and accommodations.
Focus on the experience
Destination weddings are all about the experience. Let the natural beauty of your location be the star of the show and focus on creating a memorable experience for your guests rather than spending a lot on elaborate decorations.
HOW TO KEEP YOUR DESTINATION WEDDING BUDGET ON TRACK
Sticking to the wedding budget you’ve set is easier said than done with all the “extras” you might unexpectedly encounter during the preparations. To keep your budget on track with all the wedding expenses, here’s a guide we’d like to share to help you out:
Be spreadsheet savvy
A classic spreadsheet is all you need. Simply create columns for different categories – venue, catering, transportation, etc. You can add on estimated and actual costs for each category. You may also check out our Destination Wedding Planning Budget Tracker and track your progress toward your overall budget. This way, you can easily see where you're spending more (or less) than anticipated and make adjustments as needed.
Communication is key
May it be your fiancé, family, or wedding planner, have ongoing conversations about the budget to make sure you are on the same page throughout the process.
Have a budget buffer
Always factor in a buffer for unexpected costs. Aim to have at least 5-10% contingency fund to cover unforeseen situations.
Regularly review your tracker
Schedule a weekly or bi-weekly review of your budget to identify areas where you might be overspending.
Save the receipts
Aside from expense tracking, keeping receipts could also help with any possible reimbursements.
Financial freedom allows you to focus on the true meaning of your wedding day: celebrating your love without financial stress.
Wedding planning might be your first budgeting challenge, but it won't be your last! The good news is, through this, you will master the key strategies to keep your finances healthy as a couple and be ready for whatever financial goals come your way.
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