How Much Does a Destination Wedding Really Cost?

Picture this: You're standing on top of a gorgeous mountain exchanging your vows, surrounded by your family and friends. Or maybe you're at private villa in Lake Como—or a beachside resort in Hawaii. If this type of idyllic setting speaks to you, you may want to consider a destination wedding. Rather than hosting their nuptials in one of their hometowns or in their current place of residence, many couples opt to tie the knot in a far-flung locale. In addition to taking gorgeous scenic photos, you'll also get to treat it as a "mini vacation," and embrace the local culture, food, and activities that surround your venue. However, before you kick off your planning, understanding how much a destination wedding costs is key.

Like any wedding, the price tag associated with these nuptials varies greatly couple to couple. "You could have a destination wedding in Europe for $30,000 as easily as you could [have one for] $300,000," says Kay Northrup, the founder and CEO of Kay Northrup Events, a destination-wedding planning and design company. "They would of course look completely different." A destination wedding has the same essential elements as a local wedding. You’ll want invitations, a dress, rings, a venue, catering, a florist, music, a photographer, cake, and an officiant. Travel, accommodations, group activities, and a destination wedding planner are some the factors that may end up costing more.

Here, our experts break down the fees associated with a variety of different destination weddings—from a city celebration to a ceremony in a national park. Read on for everything you need to know about destination wedding costs.

What Is the Average Cost of a Destination Wedding? 

The total cost of a destination wedding depends on a number of elements, including your location, the number of days, the number of events, the U.S. dollar to local currency exchange rate, the time of year, the number of guests, and more. "In our experience, the average cost for an affordable destination wedding can range anywhere between $350 and $600 per guest (considering all wedding expenses)," says Alexa Blanco, the founder and lead planner of Alexa Blanco Weddings, a full-service destination-wedding planning firm. "While for a luxury destination wedding, couples can expect to spend at least $1,000 per guest."

Based on those averages, an affordable destination wedding with 50 guests may hover around $25,000, while a luxury destination wedding with the same number of people could reach $50,000. However, the location of your nuptials can also affect the cost of your destination wedding.

Beach Destination Wedding Costs

When determining the potential cost of a beach wedding, consider the venue, the location, whether you want a tent on the beach, and the cost of a inclement-weather backup plan. Since beach ceremonies and receptions are typically in open-air outdoor spaces (unless you're using a tent), things can be a bit more unpredictable due to the weather. Make sure to account for the cost of having a rain or storm plan in place. "Another cost associated with destination weddings that most people may not be aware of is resort vendor fees," Blanco says. "Some hotels might charge a fee for every external vendor hired for the wedding day. This cost can go from $350 to $1,500 per vendor, depending on the resort."

Mountain Destination Wedding Costs

If you're contemplating a mountain wedding, one of the biggest costs can be getting things up and down the slopes, especially if you're getting married on a very high mountain or at a ski resort. Getting fresh food, catering supplies, and even cake up to the peak might require special transportation, which can increase the overall cost of the wedding. You'll also want to consider how you'll transport your guests to the top. For example, if you're tying the knot at a ski resort in the summer, the resort may let you use the ski lift—but this will likely come at an additional cost.

National Park Destination Wedding Costs

Costs for national-park destination weddings may be less than they would be for a beach celebration or a big day in a far-flung destination. Permits aren't pricey: They usually hover between $100 and $200. Some national parks also have strict limits on the number of people that can attend this type of ceremony, so your costs may naturally be lower due to a reduced guest count. However, keep in mind that you'll likely need to hire a photographer who specializes in shooting these types of nuptials, and that cost may be higher than a regular wedding photographer.

City Destination Wedding Costs

If you choose to host your destination wedding in a city, assume that most costs will be higher than in non-metropolitan locations. The price of your venue, hotel, transportation, and catering will all be marked up—because you're in an urban hub. To try and reduce your costs, plan your nuptials way in advance and expect to pay one-to-two times the regular cost for vendors.

Domestic vs. International Destination Wedding Costs

Even though you may automatically assume that booking a domestic location for your big day is the less expensive option, Northrup encourages you to reconsider. "We have a highly inflated wedding market in the U.S., which is why I love planning weddings abroad," she says. Additionally, your money may go a little further. Destination weddings in countries where the currency exchange rate works in your favor will typically end up being less expensive. However, remember that these rates can quickly change. "I always recommend couples take at least three percent of their total wedding budget and put it aside, just to cover any variance in the exchange rate," Northrup adds. Here are some of the differences you can expect to see, depending on whether you opt to have your wedding at home or far away.

Food and Beverage

Food and beverage service is one of the biggest costs associated with your wedding. And when you combine that with the fees associated with your venue, it starts to add up. "In the U.S., especially in many metropolitan areas and some of the more well-known destination locations, like Newport, Rhode Island, or Napa Valley, California, some of the most sought-after venues cost $75,000 to $100,000 just for the venue rental and food and beverage requirements for a six-hour event," Northrup says. When you compare that to a villa in Tuscany that only costs $20,000 to $50,000 for the same service over the course of three nights, it's easier to see how destinations abroad can actually end up being better on your wallet, she says.

Venues and Vendors

In addition to the venue costs, you'll also want to think about the difference in vendor fees between U.S. and international weddings. Northrup says vendors are typically less expensive abroad, and you're usually able to stretch your dollar further than you would for the typical six-hour American wedding.

Travel

Depending on the location you're considering in the U.S., picking a domestic destination wedding spot may be cheaper to travel to than hosting your big day abroad, Northrup says. If you're searching for a more affordable international location, consider looking to schedule your nuptials for the offseason when rates may be slightly lower.

Emotions and Stress

While it may not be considered monetary, there's an additional emotional cost associated with planning a destination wedding. "This is in large part to having a cultural, communication, time zone, and currency barrier between you and your wedding vendors," Northrup says.

The Most Affordable Destination Wedding Spots Outside the U.S.

Whether you're hopping across the pond or the Caribbean Sea, the cost of a destination wedding abroad doesn't have to be as high as you may assume. Here are some more affordable spots that Northrup and Blanco recommend considering when booking the location for your nuptials:

• Puerto Rico
• Mexico
  
• Portugal
• Ireland
• Malta

The Most Affordable Destination Wedding Spots in the U.S.

Even though you can quickly turn a destination wedding into a very expensive trip, consider picking a U.S. spot that may be slightly more affordable—and allow you to stay within your budget. These are a few spots that Blanco recommends considering:

• Key West, Florida
• Las Vegas, Nevada
• Nashville, Tennessee
• New Orleans, Louisiana

Who Pays for What for a Destination Wedding?

Customarily, travel and accommodations are your guests' responsibility. Depending on the location, your destination wedding might require your family and friends to spend money on airfare, a few nights at a hotel, meals (aside from the wedding itself), entertainment, and local transportation. They also may need to take time off from work in order to make it to your big day.

With these additional expenses in mind, as well as the fact that everyone is from out of town, consider hosting extra meals and events like a welcome dinner or a farewell brunch. And while you're not required to rent a car for anyone, coordinating group transportation to and from the various events is a thoughtful touch, especially if alcohol is being served.

If you’d like to welcome your guests with a basket of goodies, a personal note, and a wedding weekend outline, have the hotel deliver the gift to their rooms upon check-in. Consider filling them with local items like snacks and fruit, wine, or any other token you’d like. It's a nice touch to show how grateful you are that they made the journey.

Tips for Saving Money on a Destination Wedding

If you've already decided on a spectacular location and are looking to lower your destination wedding costs, consider these tips from our experts.

Think About What's Most Important to You

If you're looking to cut costs for your destination wedding, you won't be able to have it all. "One of the first questions I ask couples at the beginning of planning is, 'What do you want to remember most 10 years from now about this incredible experience?,' Northrup says. "Their answers will clearly define what is worth spending on versus what is not. If you want to control your costs, only spend on the areas that are important to you!" For example, if you care more about your entertainment, you may choose to spend less on food—or vice versa. Prioritize what makes the most sense for you and your partner.

Strategically Manage Your Guest List

Like any wedding, the more people you invite to your nuptials, the higher your costs will likely be. "Shaving off even 20 guests from your invite list can save you thousands," Northrup says. She adds that when it comes to a destination wedding, your guests may even complete the elimination process for you. "With international weddings, we typically see between a 15 to 50 percent drop-off from the folks you invite to the ones that come, meaning you can invite a few more than you’ve budgeted for," she adds.

Consider Your Wedding Date

If you have your heart set on a popular destination, avoid the high-season crowds, and book your wedding during a quieter time for the locale. A shoulder-season of spring or fall will have the best prices for your guests' airfare and rooms, and you’ll likely get your preferred dates—and even a better deal—at your venue. 

Pick the Right Drinks Package

"Open bars abroad tend to be way more expensive than at weddings in the U.S.," Northrup says. "I highly recommend leaning into whatever bar package your caterer offers to keep the bar costs low." This may mean that instead of having a fully-stocked bar, you may just stick to beer, wine, and a signature drink.

Combine Your Celebration With Your Accomodations

If you're getting married abroad, choose a venue that has accommodations attached to it, Northrup says. By doing so, you'll not only make your nuptials a little bit logistically easier, but you'll also likely save some money by having your guests stay at the location of your ceremony and reception.