Planning a destination wedding involves more than just picking a dream location—it’s about balancing your vision with your budget. Find out which factors impact your destination wedding cost and how to balance it out.
Whether you’re dreaming of a beachfront ceremony in Hawaii or a grand South Asian celebration in the Caribbean, understanding the costs involved will help you make informed decisions.
Average Cost of a Destination Wedding
The average destination wedding ranges from $15,000 to $40,000, depending on location, guest count, and style. However, costs can vary significantly depending on your preferences. Here’s a breakdown of typical expenses:
| Category | Estimated Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Resort Wedding Package | $2,000 – $15,000+ |
| Travel (for the bride and groom) | $1,000 – $2,500 |
| Decor & Floral Enhancements | $1,500 – $8,000+ |
| Photography & Videography Enhancements | $1,500 – $7,000 |
| Entertainment Enhancements | $1,000 – $5,000+ |
| Hair & Makeup | $300 – $1,000 |
| Planning & Coordination Fees | $1,495+ |
| Additional Events (Welcome Party, Mehndi, etc.) | $3,000 – $10,000+ |
Pro Tip: Many resorts offer complimentary or discounted wedding packages when you book a minimum number of guest rooms but these are often bare bones so it’s important to bring out your calculator or excel and calculate the full package.
Key Factors Affecting your Destination Wedding Cost
1. Destination & Time of Year
Luxury resorts in popular destinations (like Mexico, Jamaica, or Hawaii) can vary by season. Peak wedding season (December–April) often has higher rates.
2. Guest Count
More guests = more rooms, more meals, more logistics. Resort packages often have an ‘odd’ guest count included, for example a package may include 10 guests or 20 guests so it’s important to read the fine print and understand additional guest fee.
3. Resort Selection
All-inclusive resorts simplify budgeting and can offer cost savings through bundled packages and group perks. However, if you’re planning a wedding off site or without an all inclusive resort, you need to factor in their catering menu, any venue rentals etc.
4. Customization Level
Want a custom mandap, aerial fireworks, or celebrity entertainment? These premium upgrades add to your total cost.
5. Cultural Requirements
South Asian weddings often span multiple days and include specific rituals or cuisine, each event adds on to your cost.
Destination Wedding Cost Estimator
We have a handy excel sheet to help you think of all the costs – not just the resort promotion so you can go into your destination wedding knowing the exact amount you’ll spend.
Is a Destination Wedding Cheaper Than a Traditional Wedding?
It depends on your location but in general, Yes—for many couples, a destination wedding is more cost-effective and more memorable. This is due to the strength of the dollar. Traditional weddings in the U.S. and Canada average over $35,000+ for a single day. Destination weddings provide a richer experience for you and your guests at lower rates.
Real Wedding Cost Examples
- Hawaii Elopement (Couple + 10 Guests): $12,500+
- Caribbean Resort Wedding (50 Guests): $24,000+
- South Asian Wedding in Cancun (100 Guests, 5 Events): $80,000+
Let us build a custom quote based on your vision. Book your consultation today.
3 Common Mistakes Couples make when budgeting for Destination Weddings
We do destination weddings all day and here are the common mistakes our clients make when creating their budget.
- Not reading the package or venue fine print – Every venue prices their wedding package differently. This is true even when you compare all inclusive resort packages and especially true for off resort venues.
- Not including the sales tax or VAT – VAT is often a shock to Americans planning weddings in Europe and can add upto 20% to your bill. Ensure you understand which packages or services include VAT and which need extra budget for it.
- Not understanding outside vendor fees – All inclusive resorts and most venues now have preferred vendors. While some will refuse to host the wedding with non-preferred vendors, others may tack on a fee. These fees can range anywhere from $300 – $2500 depending on the location and venue.
Destination Wedding Cost for Guests
Want to estimate costs for your guests? Attending a destination wedding soon? Here’s what you can expect to pay as a guest.
Flights – Flight prices depend on the destination and time of year. If you’re flying to a Mexico or Caribbean destination wedding from USA, you can estimate around $600-$700 per person. For a European destination wedding, flight prices can go up to $1000-$1500 per person.
Accommodations – Guests are generally responsible for all accommodations during the destination wedding. If you’ve been invited to a Mexico or Caribbean destination wedding at an all inclusive resort, you can expect to pay $300-$350 per person per night. Most guests spend at least 3 days at the destination so you can estimate $1000/person. For Europe and rest of the world, accommodation prices can vary from $200-$600 per night for a room.
Meals– If you are not staying at an all inclusive resort, you will need to budget for meals. While you can have meals at different price points, we recommend budgeting $50-$100 per person per day.
Transportation – Destination Wedding hosts sometimes provide transportation from the airport but it is not a guarantee. Depending on your location, you can estimate $50-$150 per trip.
Excursions – Since destination weddings take place at new locations, most guests spend a day or two exploring the destination itself. If you plan any sightseeing or excursion at the location, we recommend budgeting anywhere from $150-$400 per day.
Gifts – While gifts are less common with a destination wedding, you may still want to plan for these depending on your relationship with the couple. Some couples choose a honeymoon fund for guests to contribute to, others discourage all gifts. If you are planning to give a gift, we recommend smaller but memorable gifts such as sightseeing tours, excursions, contributions to their honeymoon fund.