Can a Destination Wedding save you money?

If your first reaction to the idea of having a destination wedding is “I can’t afford that” you might want to think again. Destination weddings are not only fun, they are great value! The number of British couples planning a destination wedding has virtually doubled in the last decade. Nowadays nearly 20% of couples tie the knot abroad, which equates to around 45,000 couples a year.

According to Brides Magazine the average UK wedding costs just over £30,000. Compare that with the average spend of £10,000 for couples marrying in Mexico or Jamaica, or £13,500 for couples tying the knot in Portugal or Spain, and you can see how affordable a destination wedding can be.

Why Destination Weddings are Good Value?

There are several reasons destination weddings cost significantly less than an at-home wedding. The first is that they have fewer guests, averaging 40 compared with 96. Popular countries for destination weddings usually have a favourable exchange rate, meaning your wedding budget will stretch further. Finally, many resorts offer very attractive wedding packages to attract couples and their wedding guests to their hotels.

Why doesn’t Everyone Have a Destination Wedding?

If destination weddings cost less and you’re likely to have better weather, why doesn’t every couple get married abroad? Well, there are certain concessions you need to make when planning a destination wedding, primarily the number of guests you have because while a destination wedding will cost you less, it will add a significant amount to your guests’ expenses. Not all of them may physically be able to travel or be able to get time off work, or they may have family or have other commitments which make it impossible to travel abroad for your big day.

Top Tips to Stretch Your Destination Wedding Budget

Whether you have an unlimited budget or you are getting married on a shoestring, you will want to squeeze the most out of every penny.

• Choose a destination which is easy and affordable to get to.
• Avoid marrying during peak season such as spring break in Cancun, or Christmas in France. The cost of your travel and accommodation will automatically be higher during these times.
• Negotiate hard, or have your wedding planner strike the best deal on your behalf, especially if you are booking a wedding package with a resort. Airlines and resorts will often offer incentives to get a lucrative group booking.
• Book early, especially if you have your heart set on a particular location or resort, to get the cheapest flights.
• Use local goods such as flowers which are in season where you are getting married, and eat dishes made with regional produce.
• Hire your wedding outfits at your destination to save on the cost of buying, shipping, and dry-cleaning your dress and suit.

It is possible to have a lavish destination wedding for a lot less than you would pay for a similar event in the UK but you still need to be sensible about comparing venues and suppliers.

If you would like more information on our Destination Wedding Packages please get in contact