How Much Does a Destination Wedding Cost?

Just like at home, a destination wedding can have a small budget or a huge budget. If you’re trying to stick to a lower budget, an all-inclusive resort is a great place to have your wedding. Keep reading and I’ll show you a sample budget for a $7,500 wedding in tropical paradise.

One of the best things about planning a resort wedding is that everything is already first class. You’ve got gorgeous scenery and good food so you don’t have to add much in order to have a fabulous wedding. Lots of resorts offer upgrades and extras that you can add to your package, but you can stick with the basics and have a fantastic celebration.

Who Pays for What at a Destination Wedding?

Your guests and your wedding party will pay for their own travel costs. You’ll pay for your own trip, the wedding package, plus any extras you add for your wedding day. You’ll also want to budget for your wedding rings, invitations and all that other fun stuff.

Is a Destination Wedding Legal?

Legally, most marriages performed abroad are recognized in the United States and Canada. The only catch is that you have to meet the local requirements in the country where you get married. That could mean mandatory medical tests, a ceremony in another language or being married by a lawyer. A lot of couples prefer to get married at home first. Usually couples have a simple city hall ceremony, then plan a more meaningful ceremony at the destination.

If you get married at home, it’s usually less than $100 to get your license and get married at city hall. It depends on where you live, so google around for details.

If you get married at your destination it might be included in the package. But read the small print. Most packages include a symbolic ceremony. The extra fees for a legal ceremony will depend on what’s required at your destination. You might need to pay resort fees, medical exam fees or filing fees. The cost usually starts around $200 and can go over $1,000, depending on the location. Check what’s included in your wedding package before you set your budget.

If you do want to have your legal wedding at your resort, it’s not as difficult as it sounds. Your wedding planner will tell you what to send and she’ll fill out the paperwork for you. Just check ahead of time so you can include the extra fees in your budget.

A Six Line Budget

The prices here are average - the actual total will depend on where you’re flying from and the time of year. Costs at resorts vary, but the prices shown are typical of Caribbean resorts.

Budget For a Destination Wedding Resort:

$2,900 Your trip package (flight + 7 days at the resort x 2 people)
$2,800 Wedding package (includes ceremony, flowers, hair & makeup, cocktail hour, private dinner, photos + extras)

The Rest of the Budget:

$100 Legal marriage at home
$300 Wedding rings
$1,200 Wedding dress and suit
$200 Invitations

If you’ve been trying to plan a wedding, you might be shocked by how short this is. But that really is all you need.

If you’re on a tight budget, there’s a few ways to save money - you can read more here: Cheap Destination Weddings at All Inclusive Resorts.

If you’ve got a bigger budget, most resorts offer luxury experiences and packages. If you want to splurge and add some extras, you absolutely can.

If you’re trying to keep your wedding plans simple - book your resort and your package and call it done. When you’re in a tropical paradise, you’ll have a gorgeous wedding on any budget!

Please note: this article contains affiliate links. That means that I may earn a commission if you decide to buy something.

If you need help choosing a resort, a wedding package or figuring out the rest of your plan, check out the Destination Wedding Planner, available now on Amazon:

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