How To Book Your Destination Wedding On A Budget
Exchanging vows by the pristine, turquoise waters of some secluded, underrated beach wedding destination halfway across the world sounds like an absolute dream — but wait until you actually hear how much you'd have to shell out to see it to fruition. Reputable wedding site The Knot notes that the average price of a destination wedding is $43,300 stateside and $42,000 internationally, as opposed to a wedding on your home turf, which has an average cost of $33,300. The difference, as you can see, is pretty stark, but if you don't have that kind of money lying around, you can still pull off the destination wedding of your dreams.
Kimberly Wong, WPIC-certified destination wedding planner and lead wedding planner-owner of I Do Islands, assures that planning a destination wedding on a budget is totally doable as long as you know how to prioritize and compromise. In an exclusive interview with Islands, Wong shared that in order to save money on your destination wedding, meticulous planning is involved. It starts by timing it right, keeping the guest list tight, and picking the right location. By being flexible about these considerations, your special day can be both memorable and financially manageable.
Define your big three: budget, guest count, and location
Orchestrating a destination wedding involves what seems to be a bazillion details, but per Kimberly Wong, successful budget planning hinges on three key elements: the overall budget, the guest count, and the location. The budget, obviously, serves as your north star, as it guides every other decision you make down the line. You and your partner would have to figure out early on how much you're willing to spend. "Your budget sets the tone of the wedding: the location, the vendors, what we are able to do," Wong exclusively told Islands. "The budget even affects the time of year that you get married. There is a peak season where prices are higher than at other times."
The number of guests is equally critical, especially if you're footing a considerable chunk of the bill, like their transportation costs and lodging. Having a clear idea of the guest count simplifies many aspects of planning, such as selecting a location and reserving hotel room blocks. "Having an intimate 10-person wedding can easily be done at a villa, but a 100-person wedding would need a much larger space," Wong added.
And, of course, the location matters. Each destination brings its own set of costs and logistical challenges. For instance, if you're going to have a destination wedding on a Caribbean island like Jamaica, you have to pick a place that aligns best with your budget and needs. "Jamaica has several popular wedding cities: Ocho Rios, Montego Bay, Kingston, Negril, Port Antonio," she said. "These are all beautiful locations with very different logistics and planning needed."
Think twice about booking an all-inclusive location
You know how you sometimes consider booking a stay at an all-inclusive resort to save on accommodation and food costs? The same idea might come to mind when you're planning your destination wedding. It's not a bad idea, per se, since it helps ease the burden of juggling multiple vendors and contracts. However, Kimberly Wong advises couples to tread carefully when considering this option as it may not always be as cost-effective as it initially appears.
"While an all-inclusive location can reduce some aspects of your budget, there are a lot of parameters that you will have to work in," Wong exclusively explained to Islands. "They also tack on fees and taxes that you might not be aware of at the beginning of the process." In short, just like with all-inclusive resorts, you shouldn't assume everything is included at all-inclusive wedding venues.
Whatever extra fees they charge can quickly accumulate, potentially negating the financial benefits of an all-inclusive package, which is the last thing you want to happen. "Those added costs can bring your budget right back up to having a wedding off-property," Wong said, adding that you must do a careful evaluation of your priorities when deciding venues. "It truly depends on what is most important to you."
Beware of hidden costs
Speaking of hidden costs, Kimberly Wong says that not only are they prevalent in all-inclusive venues, but many hotels charge them, too. Unexpected charges can often find their way into contracts, catching couples off guard after commitments have already been made. You ought to review your contract line by line to check what sorts of fees have snuck in there. The usual suspects? Vendor and service charges.
"Many couples get into contracts with all-inclusives based on packages and miss the fine print that includes the fees," Wong explained in an exclusive interview with Islands. "Vendor fees are fees the hotels/properties charge for bringing your own preferred vendor to their property to provide a service for you."
If you're determined to exchange vows at an all-inclusive resort or a hotel, the easiest way to sidestep the vendor fee issue is to exclusively work with the list of approved vendors by the establishment. This way, you won't have to face additional charges down the line. And when reviewing your contract, you might want to take it as an opportunity to negotiate as well. Don't hesitate to discuss potential modifications to the contract, like removing or adjusting certain items, before you fully commit.
Think about your guests' budget, too
When you're deep in the throes of wedding planning, it's easy to overlook how the cost of your big day impacts your guests, especially for destination weddings. According to Kimberly Wong, a critical aspect often missed by couples is the financial burden their wedding may have on their friends and family. And so unless you're shouldering the bill for everyone, it's important to take into account the costs they will incur to join your celebration. The last thing you want is to put them in a financial pickle or, worse, have them unable to attend because of cost.
"When we think about guest experience, destination weddings can be more expensive for guests," Wong exclusively told Islands. "Think of a family of 3 coming for a wedding. It's never just the wedding day expense but round-trip airfare and hotel stay, which for some hotels come with a 3-day minimum booking. It adds up for everyone."
To make things lighter on everyone's wallets, consider selecting a location that is easier and more affordable for them to access or perhaps choosing a date that coincides with lower travel costs. You can even forego making a wedding registry and treat their presence as a gift instead, which can show the value you place on their attendance rather than material contributions.
Enlist the help of a wedding planner
If you and your partner consider yourself hands-on planners, it may seem counterintuitive at first to hire outside help. But a wedding planner can prove to be invaluable when you're organizing a wedding hundreds or thousands of miles away from your hometown. Although factoring in a planner's fees might stretch your budget, the benefits they offer can significantly outweigh the cost. With a destination wedding planner, it's easier to make sense of complex contracts, negotiate with vendors, and secure deals with local suppliers — saving you money in the long run. Not to mention, they can also alleviate some of the stress involved in planning a wedding.
"Get a wedding planner!" Kimberly Wong advised in her exclusive interview with Islands. "I am not saying that because I am one but because there are intricacies of the wedding industry in every country that you may, simply, not know. We help to buffer some of the woes along the way and help you to achieve the most perfect 'I Do.'"
When it comes to vetting destination wedding planners, however, just be sure that the planner you're hiring knows your chosen location like the back of their hand. It's even better if they already have insider knowledge and a wide network there. These connections can lead to landing better package deals and ensuring that your wedding goes off without a hitch.