Hey Hey, I’m Dana! I’m known for feeling all the feels, being bougie on a budget, and striking up convos with strangers because I never judge a book by its cover. And of course, I’m known for making magical travel moments possible for clients who deserve nothing but the best. In fact, my team and I have helped more than a thousand travelers embark on their dream destination weddings, honeymoons, and custom journeys since 2015. Check out my budget-friendly destination wedding tips below.
If your dreams of a perfect wedding involve exchanging vows in a tropical rainforest or during a beachfront ceremony, then a destination wedding might be the perfect solution! Even though planning a local wedding may save you money, it’s still possible to plan a destination wedding without breaking your budget. It’s also possible a destination wedding is a great way to save your budget as well.
Budget-Friendly Tip #1: Don’t be afraid to draw a line
Knowing how much you’re willing to spend ahead of time is an excellent way to keep you on budget. That means setting a firm dollar amount and drawing a line that you don’t cross. Determining the costs you’re willing to cover means deciding if you’re going to support your close family’s travel costs. Suppose you decide to do this; you must figure out other parts of the wedding to save money.
Destination Wedding Budget Tip #2: The smaller, the better
It’s simple for couples to get carried away when they start writing a guest list. However, the key to staying on budget when planning a destination wedding is keeping guest lists short. Think about the people with whom you want to share the most important day of your life, and build your guest list from there. It’s a gamble to include everyone you know on your guest list, so choose your guests wisely. For example, if everyone you invite shows up, that can quickly inflate your budget.
Budget-Friendly Tip #3: Research when and where your destination should occur
Prices fluctuate throughout the season, so timing is everything when trying to stay on budget. Choose low-key destinations that are outside of their peak season. Look at the weather conditions during these seasons to determine which destination is ideal. For example, not everyone wants to travel to the Caribbean during hurricane season! Read more about bad weather for destination weddings here. It will give you some great points to consider!
Destination Wedding Budget Tip #4: Look for cash-back and rewards opportunities
Overlooking the way you pay for your destination wedding could leave money on the table. Consider opening a rewards credit card that allows you to earn points for each of your purchases. If you’re concerned about credit card debt, look at a reward checking account whereby you can earn cash-back each time you use it to pay for your wedding’s expenses. It’s also easier to plan a budget for your destination wedding if you start in advance by saving up as much as possible for your big day. Additionally, most room block contracts offer comps for booking rooms, giving you cash back in the end. DWD makes sure to negotiate the best comps for our clients! Read more about how room block contract comps work here.
As you can see from this list, you can create and maintain a budget when planning your destination wedding. Do you have any budget-friendly destination wedding tips to share? Let me know in the comments.
Discover more about what I do as a professional destination wedding & travel designer—or skip to the good part and book your complimentary consultation call with me now.
