Me and my fiancee have been discussing having a destination wedding lately, I have a couple of questions though:
Do I pay for my guests’ accommodations and flight?
What are some perfect places to have them?
What is the average cost of one?
Thanks! This is actually for my friend and her fiancee, she’s gonna do that somewhere on an exotic island.
My wedding is actually coming up soon, thanks for your input!
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The average cost of a destination wedding can start at $25,000…Though you don’t have to pay for anyone’s travel….Expect a lot of people not to come. It’s a recession and flights to certain destinations can cost between $1500 -3000 one way! If you choose to have a destination wedding, why not have his family and your family come and then when you get back…Have an event for everyone to attend! It’ll cut your cost by thousands!
I am not a big fan of destination weddings. Like the previous person said, times are tight right now and even your closest family might struggle to attend…if they even can. I would feel horrible knowing my parents had to charge alot of stuff just to see me do something I could do at a local place. I know it is your wedding and if you want it…fine…but just understand very few people will get to enjoy this day with you.
And please don’t have one of those “present parties” where you have a reception at home after the wedding. That basically says, “I didn’t want you to come to the wedding but I will be happy to take whatever you give me as a gift”. If invited to those, I go but rest assured, I do not bring a gift.
I am having a destination wedding in December and we are getting married on St. Thomas via cruise ship. I am not paying for anyone’s travel expenses but I do not expect people who can not afford it to attend. We have immediate family and a few friends traveling with us. The wedding part on the island costed me $2,295.00. (does not includes cruise). This includes the ceremony, 2 hours of photography, and a few other things. We are having a reception when we get back home a month later in January. Congrats!
If you’re doing the wedding ceremony only, expect to pay the resort approximately $3000 for location, planner, cake, champagne, photographer, and photos, officiant, ceremony musician, and flowers. If you do a wedding and reception for about 40 people, expect to pay the resort about $13,000 – $14,000 for all of the above including food and open bar for 4 hours, decorations, videographer, and DJ. In addition to these expenses, you’ll have to purchase a wedding gown and accessories, suit or attire for the groom, reception accessories (guestbook, cake serving set), airline tickets and acommodations for the bridal party and the groomsmen, and any other incidentals. However, you do not have to pay for your guests’ accomodations and flights. It is also recommended that you purchase wedding/event insurance. Your total can add up to $20,000 – $25,000.
You’re not obligated to pay for everyone’s travel expenses but realize that not everyone can afford to just hop on a plane and come to your wedding. Flights and hotels are NOT cheap. When I think of destination weddings, I usually think of intimate gatherings.