Planning a Destination Wedding Step by Step
Bride posing next to the ocean, holding a dusty pink bridal bouquet.
When you’re on a budget, you start to think you’re limited in choices for your wedding. But what if you could have it anywhere in the world? Think about white sandy beaches with a turquoise ocean. Think about Mexico, Dominican Republic, Jamaica. Cancun, Punta Cana, Montego Bay…
These places are packed with all inclusive resorts and if your dream is a destination wedding, it’s actually very affordable. The price depends on the resort you choose, the package you book and any extras you add on. If you stick with a package at an all inclusive resort, you can easily plan a destination wedding for under $10,000.
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Budget For a Destination Wedding
Your main expense will be the trip itself. Each guest pays for their own travel, but you’ll pay for the flight and hotel package for you and your partner.
Next, you’ll need to budget for the wedding ceremony. Prices vary at different resorts, but a basic beach ceremony usually starts at $599. It’ll go higher if you have more guests. Or if you add extra or premium decorations, bouquets, etc.
Most all inclusive resorts will include a wedding meal in a reserved section of the restaurant. The food and drinks are typically included. If you want a private dinner or if you want to add a DJ and a dance floor, the resort will probably charge extra fees.
If you’re on a tight budget, you can skip all the extras and no one will notice. You can have the ceremony on the beach and the reception in the restaurant. Then head to the resort’s nightclub for an afterparty. If you’ve got some wiggle room in your budget, you can upgrade nearly anything. Every resort has a list of decorations, bouquets, photos, parties, food and drinks that you can add or upgrade if you’d like.
Some resorts will also offer bonuses. For example, if you book a certain number of rooms, you’ll get a free wedding or free nights. The more rooms you book, the more free perks you’ll get. It’s hard to predict how many people will come, though. So count on paying for at least the basics - your flight, your room and a wedding package. That way, if you do get some freebies, it’ll be a nice bonus instead of something you’re relying on.
Best Location For a Destination Wedding
The most popular (and most affordable) places for destination weddings are Mexico, Dominican Republic and Jamaica. All three of these countries have a huge variety of resorts and you’re sure to find one in your price range. They have lots of experience with weddings and they’ll be able to host yours without a hitch. You can choose your location based on flights, price or a resort you love.
Bride standing on the beach holding a peach and green wedding bouquet.
Best Resort For a Destination Wedding
The toughest decision for your wedding will probably be choosing your resort. To help narrow it down, start by thinking about what amenities you’d like. Do you want a resort with a spa? With room service? Do you want adults only or kid friendly?
Once you’ve decided on your budget, your location and your amenities, you’ll be able to choose a few resorts to look at.
If you have trouble deciding on a location or a resort, you can always talk to a travel agent.
Do You Need a Travel Agent For a Destination Wedding?
You don’t need a travel agent to plan a resort wedding. But you’ll have a much better experience if you use one.
Travel agents are great with group bookings. They’ll help you find the best resort for your budget. They’ll make sure your contract includes all your group benefits. And they’ll negotiate a room block for you.
If your guests have questions, the agent is a professional they can call. Some travel agencies even offer payment plans, so it’ll be easier for you and your guests to budget for the trip.
The best part: it’s free! You don’t pay extra when you use a travel agent. They get paid by commission, so you’ll have all the benefits without any extra costs.
Do You Need a Wedding Planner For a Destination Wedding?
Yes, you do. But here’s more good news: your wedding planner is free! Every resort has their own on site wedding planner. And the planner is always included with a wedding package. Once you book your trip with your travel agent, you’ll contact the on site wedding planner to book your wedding date and package.
As well as being affordable, a destination wedding can be very easy to plan. If you want to do crafts or decorate, you absolutely can. But if you’re looking for something simple, a destination wedding is the perfect choice.
Once you’ve selected your resort and package you can leave the rest up to your wedding planner. They’ve planned tons of weddings and you can be sure they’ll do a great job with yours. You can do as much, or as little as you’d like. As long as you show up at the beach on time - your wedding will be amazing!
Ready to start planning? Set your budget, choose your location, resort and more with the Destination Wedding Planner:
