How Much is a Destination Wedding?
A wedding abroad is an incredible way to spend time with loved ones, do some exploring and relax. But, how much does a destination wedding actually cost?
If you’re contemplating a destination wedding, you’re probably thinking, ‘How much does one actually cost?’ Is a destination wedding cheaper or more expensive than a celebration locally? Well, spoiler alert, it will cost you more I’m afraid. But as a wedding photographer, I can tell you, a destination ceremony and reception is so worth it!
Weddings are expensive, there is no getting around that. And when you decide to up sticks and host your celebrations abroad, that will usually add on a few dollars to your overall budget. According to a recent WeddingWire survey, a destination wedding typically costs about 11 percent more than a hometown wedding. With the average cost of a destination wedding being $32,000 (41,392 CAD), which is slightly higher than the $28,600 (36.994 CAD) couples normally spend on a wedding in their home town.
These statistics are interesting, but they don’t tell us why a wedding abroad would cost more. Surely, as things are typically cheaper when travelling, wouldn’t the overall spend be less than a local wedding?
Today, we’re going to explore why a destination wedding does cost slightly more. While also looking at what the benefits are of increasing your budget to have a celebration in the sun! Plus, how you can make a destination wedding a little cheaper.
Why does a Destination Wedding Cost More?
When looking at the overall cost of a local wedding, vs a destination wedding, a lot of the expenses are the same. You’ll still need wedding invitations, a dress, bridesmaids dresses/wedding party outfits, rings, venue, food and drink, flowers, music, a wedding photographer, cake, and someone to say ‘you may now kiss the bride’. And the cost of these essentials will not change too much if you marry abroad. Unless, you decide to hire all the finest vendors in St.Tropez!
What will bump up the overall price is the extra travel, any activities you do as a group, and all those other little extras that come along with vacationing in general. However, travel is certainly the main factor in the budget bump, as typically, couples need to fly to their destination wedding. And even if you’re not taking a plane to your wedding location, you’ll probably need to book hotel rooms for you and your guests. An extra expense, even at an all-inclusive resort.
The time at which you have your destination wedding can also affect how much it will cost you. For example, planning an event during high tourist season (late December through Easter in Mexico and the Caribbean, for example), you’ll certainly pay more. So, it’s worthwhile doing your research, being patient, and booking a time when there are fewer people around, and the prices are lower.
The Benefits of a Destination Wedding
Simplicity
It sounds strange to say that hosting a wedding halfway across the world could be simpler than hosting it in your local Marriott, but it typically is. This is because couples typically choose pre-designed packages created by professional destination wedding planners. These fine-tuned packages include all the individual elements you would typically need to source yourself, from different vendors. But instead of running around, chasing countless different people for information. You’re just asked a few questions about your preferences, and the planner does the rest.
Intimacy
Unless you’re a multimillionaire, with a lot of time rich friends and family. It’s more than likely your wedding will be a lot smaller, guest size wise, when you marry away from home. As not all the people who would attend your celebrations locally, will be able to fly out to your wedding abroad. This gifts you the crème de la crème of your wedding guests. The VIP’s who are more than willing to take time off work, and spend their own money to see you tie the knot.
This smaller bunch of people will help give you a greater sense of intimacy during festivities, creating a group vacation feel. Like you’re all taking one special break together.
Scenery
As a wedding photographer, I find the thought of capturing a destination celebration so exciting. This is not to say I prefer them over local weddings. But having the opportunity to photograph new backdrops, new venues and seeing the light a Mexican morning can create is certainly a thrill. And the extraordinary wedding photography you can create with a big day abroad, is certainly a major plus.
Portraits on the beach, hand in hand in the sun and with the sun setting behind you…! Oh man, I’ve got goosebumps just thinking about it! So imagine how incredible your destination wedding photo album would be.
How to Save Money on a Destination Wedding
Fly into a Typical Tourist Airport
Try not to pick somewhere that requires your guests to take more than two flights to reach your location. Having more than one connection will certainly bump up the price, and make the journey a lot less fun for your loved ones.
Choose a tourist heavy airport as the destination for your wedding guests. This will reduce costs when compared to a more remote airport, and bring down the likelihood of multiple flights. If most of your travelling guests are coming from the same place, try to get them all on the same flight. Then, when they arrive, they can all hop on a coach, and travel the rest of the way together. Easier, and more cost-effective.
Book Early
As with any vacation booking, it pays to book in advance if you want to save money. Attempt to secure your venue, and/or package, a year in advance. This will lock in the price, and stop it increasing over time.
Legally Marry at Home
The legalities of performing a legal wedding ceremony abroad are often complicated, wherever you choose to wed. And it certainly adds a few extra fees onto your budget.
In Mexico, for example. To obtain a marriage license, you’ll need a proof of your identity (passport and birth certificate), proof you’re in the country legally, and sometimes religious documentation. Plus, you’ll have to get all of your documentation translated into Spanish, and then notarized by the Mexican consulate in your home country, or when you arrive. Plus, medical tests will need to be carried out before the legal marriage can take place.
Save yourself the hassle, and the money, by marrying with a low-key ceremony at home. Then have a grander, public version of your wedding ceremony at your destination.
Book an Photographer you trust for Your Destination Wedding
The photography of your wedding will be the single greatest keepsake you’ll take away from your big day, so it’s important to get it right. If you can book the services of a destination wedding photographer in Canada, and have them travel out for your big day, you’ll be guaranteeing the perfect photo album. Because you’ll get to properly meet them, get to know their style and understand whether they are really right for you – way before the big day.
As an experienced wedding photographer, I would love the opportunity to capture your destination wedding, wherever it may be. And use my journalistic style to create an album that shares all the raw, authentic beauty I will document on your special day.
You are welcome to browse my portfolio, and if you like what you see, take a look at my wedding photography investment packages. Please do get in touch if you have any questions about my work or services via my contact page.