Destination weddings don’t need to be extravagant affairs if planned correctly; with careful preparation, they can create an amazing and memorable experience for their guests without breaking the bank.
Negotiating with vendors and being open about budget restrictions are two effective strategies to cut expenses when traveling abroad. Here are a few more suggestions: 1. Choose an destination with lower peak season costs
1. Choose a Destination That Fits Your Budget
Setting a budget should be one of your first priorities when planning a destination wedding. Doing this will allow you to narrow down your options while also making sure not to go overboard on spending.
As another way of saving money on your wedding, selecting an all-inclusive resort package may also help. Not only will this give you more value for your dollar, but it will also eliminate the need to purchase additional decor or services separately. Many brides also find they save by having both their ceremony and reception off site.
Plan your nuptials during the off-season of your desired destination to save both money and crowds. For instance, Cancun is a popular wedding spot; however tying the knot in August or September might be more affordable than June or July; research your options carefully though as some all-inclusive resorts only offer free weddings if a certain number of guests book.
2. Focus on Your Must-Haves
Travel-themed weddings can be costly affairs, but that doesn’t have to be an expensive affair for your big day. Make a list of what’s most important for both of you in terms of themes and costs before planning a destination wedding.
Consider opening a travel rewards credit card ahead of time in order to accrue airline miles and hotel points that could help offset some or all of the cost of your travel plans. This could provide significant cost-cutting potential.
Your choice of time of year can also have an immense effect on costs. Avoiding peak travel periods like spring break and holidays to take advantage of discounted fares; additionally, resorts offering all-inclusive packages could offer cost savings as they include catering, floral arrangement, photography services and rentals all for one low rate; this makes hiring vendors individually more costly.
3. Negotiate with Vendors
Negotiation can be one of the best ways to save money when selecting wedding essentials such as catering, flowers or venue rental services. By asking vendors to remove certain services or swap them out with others you might be amazed at just how much money can be saved! For help navigating this process hiring a wedding planner or requesting a contract breakdown may be of service.
Understanding when large cultural events take place in your desired destination is also important, as these could have an effect on prices if guests travel specifically for them. Consider postponing these dates in order to stretch your budget further.
Be flexible with your date and time of year when choosing venues; by scheduling events during weekdays or off season times, you may be able to negotiate better prices as venues won’t be as busy. Do your research on average market prices so you know what the fair price to pay should be and can confidently request discounts.
4. Look for Local Resources
Many destination weddings take advantage of local vendors, which can save money on such costs as flowers, food, photography and videography. Working with someone familiar with the area will allow them to recommend restaurants, hotels and transportation options that fit within your budget.
Mexico and the Caribbean resorts often provide all-inclusive wedding packages at discounted rates, which typically includes airfare. If you want to save even more, use an app such as Hopper to find the best offers on flights.
Destination weddings can be costly for guests who must cover travel and accommodation costs to attend your big day. To keep costs under control, select a date that falls outside peak wedding season, book the venue during offseason months and inform guests of travel considerations in their save the dates or website listings, such as any documents they should bring along with them.
5. Don’t Overspend
Wedding planning can be expensive, but that doesn’t have to be an extravagant affair. When budgeting, whether solely or with family contributions, it is crucial that you stick to it if you want the dream wedding you have planned to come true.
Many couples overspend due to small expenses that add up quickly, like extra flowers, an extravagant cake or an expensive photo booth. If your core wedding vendors have already reached capacity, consider eliminating add-ons such as passed hors d’oeuvres in favor of cheaper options such as light passed refreshments.
Unplanned costs such as weather backup plans, extra guests, overtime fees or dress alterations often cause budget overspends. To protect against unexpected expenses that might otherwise cause you to go over budget, set aside 5 to 10% of your total wedding costs as an emergency fund; this step should especially be considered when planning a destination wedding.