Planning a wedding is an expensive endeavor and a destination wedding can be even more costly. However, with careful planning and budgeting, couples can still have the wedding of their dreams without going into debt. So what does the average destination wedding cost?
Venue: The most important expense for a destination wedding is the venue. Depending on the location, a venue can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $20,000 or more. Factors such as location, size of the venue and type of amenities offered will determine the cost.
Food & Drink: Food and drink are another major expense for any wedding and this is especially true for a destination wedding. Depending on the number of guests, you can expect to pay anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000 or more for food and drink at your reception.
Travel & Accommodations: Traveling to your destination wedding will also add to your costs. This includes airfare for you and your guests as well as accommodations while you’re there. Depending on where you’re going and how many people are attending, these costs could be quite substantial.
Entertainment: A professional DJ or live band will add an extra sparkle to your reception but they don’t come cheap – expect to pay anywhere from $1,500 to $3,500 or more depending on the type of music you want played at your reception.
Decorations: Decorations can also add up quickly when planning a destination wedding – especially if you want something really special for your guests such as custom centerpieces or flower arrangements. Expect to budget an additional $1,000 -$2,500 for decorations depending on what you choose.
Conclusion:
All in all, it’s easy to see why destination weddings can be so expensive – there are numerous costs associated with them that could quickly add up if not planned carefully. The average cost of a destination wedding ranges anywhere from $10k -$50k depending on factors such as size of guest list and desired amenities. With careful planning and budgeting however couples can still have their dream destination wedding without going into debt.