Your destination wedding budget is one of the first things that you will sit down and discuss when you start planning your wedding. It can also cause the most stress during the planning process.
Hey hey, I’m Dana! As a destination wedding expert with nearly a decade of experience, I’ve helped couples plan dream weddings around the world without blowing their budget. Planning a destination wedding is thrilling, but it can also come with a lot of financial moving parts. Between location, timing, and guest lists, it’s easy for things to spiral. But don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! In this post, I’ll walk you through some key budgeting tips to keep your finances in check while still creating the unforgettable destination wedding you deserve.
Below are 3 things that could affect your destination wedding budget and add to your wedding planning stress.
Where You Wed Could Affect Your Destination Wedding Budget
Your wedding location will play a leading role in the creation of your budget. Not only are you considering your wedding budget, but the travel expenses of your guests as well. I’ve seen destination wedding budget from $10,000 to $100,000, so the possibilities are endless. But to start out, the main factor will be what you want your guests to spend on their travel. Once you have an idea, you can then focus on the wedding budget. For resort stays, I recommend a minimum budget of $250 per person per night at an all inclusive resort in Cancun/Riviera during non-holiday seasons.
Time of the Year
Wedding seasons make a big difference to costs, especially when you have your heart set on certain aspects. Planning to get married in Cancun in February? Or how about December? Chances are your guests and you are going to end up paying a lot more for your wedding. Want Peony flowers at your Cabo wedding in the Fall? Pricing will be astronomical if you can get them at all! Look at your budget and how it fits in with the venue and location you have in mind and whether you can move your wedding to another season to save on costs. Pro Tip: Late Spring (think after Spring Break and not around Easter) and late Summer offer more economical resort and airfare pricing for you and your guests.
Number of Guests Could Also Affect Your Destination Wedding Budget
This is one area that can very easily get out of control. Your guests are going to take up a large portion of your budget so it pays to be sensible about who you’re inviting. All inclusive resorts will still charge you for everything from drinks and food to the chair your guest will be sitting on so think twice about inviting your aunt who you haven’t seen in 2 years. Agree on how many guests you want to invite and stick to it. Now you might be thinking, But I thought food and drink would be included with an all inclusive resort? This is true, but with private events a different setup and menu and additional staff are required which can add up fast!
If you want to stick to your wedding budget and not be in debt by the time you come back from your honeymoon, carefully plan your finances before you even begin planning your wedding. Working with a wedding planner would be an added bonus as they can help you find better prices and keep you on track financially.
And there you have it! By carefully considering your location, timing, and guest list, you can plan a beautiful destination wedding without breaking the bank. Remember, it’s all about balancing your dream with smart decisions that won’t leave you (or your guests!) stressed over finances.
Feeling overwhelmed or need some expert help to bring it all together? That’s what I’m here for! Whether you’re just starting to plan or need guidance with budgeting, I’d love to chat and help you turn your vision into reality.
Want to learn more about me and how I can make your destination wedding planning a breeze? Learn more or schedule a call—I can’t wait to help you plan the wedding of your dreams!
