Destination weddings are becoming more and more popular. According to a recent survey of brides and grooms-to-be, 69% of couples show a preference towards having a destination wedding, rather than a local wedding.
There are many good reasons for a destination wedding: from breaking free of tradition to managing your guest list more effectively. But the biggest question for those considering a destination wedding is usually cost. Can we afford a destination wedding with our wedding budget?
Let’s find out if a destination wedding is more or less expensive than a local wedding.
Is a Destination Wedding More Expensive Than a Local Weddings?
The Average Cost of a Local Wedding
In the United States, couples spent between US$25,000 to US$35,000 for their big day on average.
Of course, this average disguises the variation in wedding budgets.
An increasingly popular trend are micro-weddings, for example. A micro-wedding typically has a small guest list of 20 guests or less, involves a lot of DYI and comes at an overall cost of US$10,000 or less.
Expert Tip: Check out our blog post with 8 tips for a destination wedding at US$10k or less here.
Another excellent resource for organizing a successful micro-wedding is the “Weddings under 10k” Reddit. The Reddit has more than 100,000 members and many happy couples share tips, tricks and advice on how to control your wedding budget.
At the other end of the spectrum are large-scale, luxury weddings with hundreds of guests that can easily cost US$150,000 or more.
Not surprisingly, bigger parties cost significantly more than intimate affairs in absolute terms. Relatively speaking, the per guest cost tends to decrease as the number of guests increases, because only few items, such as catering or favors are directly related to the number of guests.
The single biggest expense, the wedding venue, is typically a fixed cost, and maximizing the number of guests contributes to a lower per-guest cost.
The average also hides important regional difference. Couples in New York, San Francisco or Boston have to shell out almost US$50,000 for a wedding, whereas those living in Miami or Atlanta can get away with just US$30,000 to US$35,000 on average.
Overall, the US tends to be the most expensive place for weddings worldwide, according to Forbes. No other country commands prices as high as the US for organizing your big day.
How Much Does a Destination Wedding Cost?
As with local weddings, the average cost of a destination wedding varies, and can range from just US$10,000 for a small wedding with only best friends to US$300,000 and above for a large-scale celebration.
Weddings in prime destination wedding venues, such as 5* hotels on the shores of Lake Como, chateaus in the South of France, or vineyards in Provence, come with a steep price tag. These venues are regularly featured in Vogue or Harper’s Bazaar and definitely not cheap. However, the sheer beauty of these venues sets them apart from local wedding venues.
Instead of opting for a swanky 5* hotel or a high-end wedding venue, couples can consider more affordable alternatives for their destination wedding.
Both France and Italy are dotted with gorgeous wedding venues that often come at a very reasonable cost and include onsite accommodation.
These venues are harder to find (they are typically not featured in Vogue or Harper’s Bazaar), but are no less charming than more expensive alternatives.
In Europe, these venues are often owner-managed (think of them like an Airbnb, just as a wedding venue) and may lack in service compared to larger, more professional wedding venue who have an entire team to support you on your big day.
If budget is a main consideration, then selecting privately-owned wedding venues away from major city centers are a great choice. A more affordable site can significantly reduce overall costs while still being romantic.
Another way to make a destination wedding more affordable is to be spontaneous. Admittedly, the words “wedding” and “spontaneous” do not often get uttered in the same sentence, but booking a destination wedding venue just a few months (rather than the typical two years) in advance can give you access to great deals.
For example, it’s not unusual for even the priciest wedding venues to offer up to 50% discount on venue fees and accommodation for same-year bookings (such as booking an September date in May).
Even for next year bookings, discounts are possible: up to 20% or more are common. Typically these discounts are only offered for off-season dates, which in Italy and France means any date that does not fall into their summer school holidays.
Comparing the Cost of Destination and Local Weddings
Without a doubt, a destination wedding creates extra costs when compared to a local wedding. Instead of celebrating a single-day event, a destination wedding typically lasts for two to three days, and requires extra travel and logistics.
However, because a destination wedding takes place in a country cheaper than the US (remember, the US is on average the most expensive country for weddings), they can still be a great way to save money or make your budget go further. On average, a wedding away costs 40% less than traditional at-home weddings, according to a guide on destination weddings.
“On average, a wedding away costs 40% less than traditional at-home weddings.”1
Let’s find out how a destination wedding stacks up against a local wedding.
Transportation Cost
First and foremost, extra costs are the result of transportation (flight tickets, car rental, transportation for guests).
However, we advice against including transportation costs when comparing the cost of a destination wedding with local weddings. Most brides and grooms-to-be combine their destination wedding with their honeymoon. This makes transportation an expense that would have been incurred regardless of the wedding.
“If I did the wedding at home (with my budget) I wouldn’t be able to afford the honeymoon . The money I am saving with the destination wedding AND already being there gives me a honeymoon to enjoy. PLUS I get to spend a few days with each of my closest friends and family instead of talking to them for a few minutes then leaving to go on the honeymoon.”2
Destination Weddings: Who Pays for Accommodation?
Another big cost driver for destination weddings is guests’ accommodation. Who pays for the guests’ accommodation? You or your guests?
Usually, for a destination wedding, guests are expected to pay for their own transportation and accommodation. This may not apply if your wedding venue includes onsite accommodation (which is usually taken up by the bride’s and groom’s immediate family, bridesmaids and groomsmen).
Because your guests are already spending a lot to attend your wedding, there is typically no wedding gift or only a small gift given to the newly-weds.
“The expectation with a destination wedding is that guests will pay their own travel costs, but some may not give you a gift (their presence is your gift, maybe a card).“3
Destination Wedding vs Local Weddings: Inclusions and Exclusions
Destination weddings and local weddings tend to be two entirely different affairs and it’s important to be realistic about what they are and are not.
A local wedding in the US typically starts in the afternoon and finishes in the evening. Some couples feel that the formality of a local wedding doesn’t do justice to the joy and happiness they would like to share with family and friends.
A destination wedding, on the other hand, is typically a multi-day event, where you and your guest spend 2 to 3 days in a dream destination.
In France and Italy, it is very common for destination wedding venues to offer a multi-day privatization of the venue for 2 to 3 days. This includes exclusive use of the entire venue and onsite accommodation, if available.
In summary, a destination wedding is a holiday together. A local wedding is an afternoon together.
Whereas a local wedding can sometimes feel like “just another event in the calendar”, a destination wedding is sure to create lasting memories for you and your wedding guests. Given the character of destination weddings, it is not surprising that most couples who opt for a destination wedding consider scenic beauty to be the top factor influencing their decisions.
However, planning an entire holiday together does come at a cost, both in monetary and logistical terms. It’s important to be realistic about these costs and to plan wisely.
“One thing I will note, I looked abroad because prices from where I am from on the East Coast of the U.S. were astronomical. I thought going to Europe would help save money… while I do think you can find cheaper venues than the one we picked in the South of France – the cost of going abroad adds up quickly. For example, photographers charging travel fees, the cost of your travel, etc. That’s not meant to be “scare” you, but I think it is helpful to understand that there are def more logistics and costs that aren’t as upfront generally.”4
Destination Weddings Tend to Have a Smaller Guest List
Destination weddings tend to have a smaller guest list than local weddings.
While some couples feel that this is a reason against a destination wedding, others see it as a main reason for a destination wedding. Because of the distance from home, destination weddings give couples the opportunity to create a more focused guest list, excluding distant family or friends.
This can be a double-edged sword however: just like couples may not want to “burden” distant friends to travel far for their wedding, a destination wedding gives guests an easy excuse to not attend your wedding. Usually, it’s best to get the commitment from close family and friends before booking a venue.
In summary, do not expect that all your guests will be able to travel. This can lead to a potentially smaller turnout for a destination wedding compare to a local wedding.
The Final Verdict: Destination Wedding vs Local Wedding Cost
So what is the final verdict on the cost of destination weddings vs local weddings?
Choosing between a destination wedding and a local wedding ultimately comes down to your priorities and budget.
If you are looking for a unique, intimate experience and are willing to trade off a larger guest list and potential travel expenses, a destination wedding might be a wonderful choice.
However, if you prefer the convenience of staying local, having a larger guest list, and potentially easier planning, a local wedding could be more suitable.
1. Destination Weddings For Dummies, available on Amazon.
2. Quote from a Reddit user.
3. Quote from a Reddit user.
4. Quote from a Reddit user.