For many people, getting married is a dream come true, but have you always dreamed of a destination wedding on a tropical beach or quaint European village?
Getting married abroad feels completely out of reach due to the perception that destination weddings are expensive. However, only some people know that with enough strategy, creativity, and flexibility, you can manifest the wedding of your dreams without breaking the bank.
It also helps that your friendly neighbourhood NorthStar Travel is here with all your travel solutions to craft the destination wedding of your dreams!
The first step to manifesting your dream wedding abroad is to set clear intentions for yourself. Begin by asking yourself what you TRULY want from a destination wedding.
Is it the actual destination itself? The intimate feel? Or a unique experience for your guests?
Once you actually establish your core desires, you can focus on planning those aspects of the wedding while deciding what elements are not a “must.” Remember, by keeping things very specific, you can determine what you can afford for the best experience without losing sight of what’s important.
Take time to sit down as a couple and visualize your ideal wedding day. What does it look like? What emotions do you want to feel? How do you want your guests to feel? Write everything down and use this as your guiding light throughout the planning process.
It’s absolutely essential to choose a destination that aligns with your vision and your budget. Some places are known for being VERY expensive, while others can offer the same beauty and romance at a fraction of the cost.
Consider destinations that may be “less popular” or locations in their off-season, as this can save you thousands of dollars on venues, accommodations, and flights.
Let’s explore an example: A wedding in Santorini, Greece, can be costly – but a nearby island such as Paros or Naxos could offer a very similar charm at a reduced cost. Likewise, other tropical locations like the Caribbean and Southeast Asia can also offer great value for your money, especially if you’re open-minded.
As well, try to look into destinations that offer good currency exchange rates. This tiny detail is often overlooked, but locations where the local currency is weaker than your home country offers can stretch your budget a lot!
Here’s a list of potential countries that could be affordable options for a dream destination wedding:
Stunning beach resorts, affordable all-inclusive packages, and easy access from the U.S. and Canada.
Beautiful beaches and luxurious resorts at budget-friendly prices with wedding packages available.
Scenic landscapes with a variety of all-inclusive resorts that offer affordable wedding packages.
Exotic locations, stunning temples, beaches, and budget-friendly wedding packages.
Gorgeous beaches and lush jungles with affordable venues and wedding services.
Beautiful countryside, historic venues, and affordable European options compared to more expensive destinations like Italy or France.
Affordable tropical wedding locations with stunning beaches and cultural landmarks.
More affordable than other European destinations, especially in off-season months.
Offers natural beauty, from beaches to rainforests, with cost-effective wedding options.
Stunning beach venues, low costs for services, and affordable accommodations for guests.
Unique desert and cityscape settings with affordable wedding options and exotic flair.
Mediterranean charm at a lower cost compared to Italy or Spain, with beautiful coastal towns.
Exotic landscapes and luxurious options are available at lower prices than many other Asian countries.
Diverse venues, ranging from beach resorts to historic palaces, offer great value.
Timing is everything when it comes to budgeting for a destination wedding. By choosing to get married during off-peak season, you stand to save hundreds and even thousands on everything from flights to accommodations, as well as vendor costs.
Many destinations have shoulder seasons, where the weather is still nice (sometimes nicer in hotter destinations), but prices are lower due to the lower demands from tourists.
As well, try to schedule your wedding to take place on a weekday rather than a weekend. Venues and vendors often charge premium rates for weekend weddings, while they may sometimes even offer discounts if you have a wedding, say, mid-week. Plus, this gives your guests a chance to extend their trip into a longer vacation, which is a plus.
One of the main advantages of a destination wedding is that it lends itself to a smaller, more intimate setting – which means there’s less pressure to invite a massive guest list. Fewer guests = lower costs. This ranges from the meals to drinks, venue, and accommodations.
Be clear with your guests that your wedding is a small, intimate affair. If you’re worried about leaving people out, you can livestream your wedding for your family back home, and/or host a casual post-wedding celebration for those who couldn’t make the trip.
Destination weddings, just like any wedding, are expensive due to the amount of professional help required. However, there are plenty of areas where you can save money by taking a more DIY approach. For example:
Invitations: Design your digital invitations or save-the-date cards. Not only will you save on printing and mailing costs, but you can also create something personal and unique.
Decorations: Use the natural beauty of your destination to your advantage. Whether it's a beach, vineyard, or mountaintop, the scenery will do much of the work for you. Consider simple, affordable décor like fairy lights, candles, and locally sourced flowers to enhance the environment.
Wedding Favors: Consider DIY wedding favours that reflect the location, such as handmade soap, local spices, or small bottles of local spirits. This adds a personal touch without costing much.
Many resorts and hotels offer different wedding packages that bundle essential services such as venue, catering, flowers, and even photography. These packages provide better value than just booking each service separately.
Ask if any items can be removed if they are nonessential or at least swap them out for something more useful.
Also, reach out to your vendors EARLY and let them know you’re planning a destination wedding. Some could offer discounts for weekday weddings or slower times of the year, while others may be willing to work within a set budget if you’re completely upfront about your needs.
When you’re planning a destination wedding with a set budget, it’s so easy to get caught up in the desire for lavish extras, but in the end, it’s the experience that matters. Focus on creating unforgettable moments with your loved ones rather than overspending on unnecessary frills.
Consider hosting a casual welcome dinner or post-wedding brunch at a local restaurant instead of at a high-end venue. You can also organize group activities, like a beach day, vineyard tour, or hiking trip, to create lasting memories without a huge price tag.
For many couples, the biggest cost of a destination wedding is definitely the travel. However, there are plenty of ways to cut back on this expense. Firstly, book your flights WELL in advance to get the best possible rate, and set up price alerts to track any fluctuations. Use frequent flyer miles or credit card rewards to cover part of the cost, if possible.
You can also look into discounted group rates for your wedding guests. Many airlines and hotels offer deals for group bookings, so encourage your guests to book together.
Though it’s often seen as counterintuitive to spend money on a wedding planner - hiring a local planner can save you time, stress, and yes, even money.
A good planner will have relationships with local vendors, know how to find the best deals, and can negotiate on your behalf.
They can also help you avoid costly mistakes, like choosing vendors that are overpriced or unreliable.
Your wedding ceremony doesn’t have to be extremely elaborate or flashy to be meaningful and romantic. Simplifying the ceremony can not only save you money, but it also creates a more intimate and personal atmosphere.
Opt for a minimalist ceremony set up with a simple arch or natural backdrop and forgo expensive extras such as live musicians in favour of pre-recorded music.
You also don’t even need to have a DJ – you can set up a Spotify playlist and use the venue’s sound system to play music of your choosing. You can also combine the ceremony and reception into one venue to cut down transportation costs.
Manifesting your dream destination wedding on a budget is possible, and with the help of NorthStar Travel, we can help make it a reality.
By understanding your unique travel style and wedding dreams, our experts can help you build the destination wedding of your dreams. With our help and a little creativity, you can have the destination wedding you’ve always wanted.
Contact us today to get a head start on planning your dream wedding travel.
