Destination wedding cost and location

DWs can be just as, if not more, costly than weddings at home. Would you consider a wedding at home and a destination honeymoon? Or maybe y'all can elope on your destination honeymoon, then have a celebration with your family and friends when you return?

Our families are huge so at home we are looking at 150 maybe more guest it just doesn’t seem cost effective . I feel like because the beach is so beautiful and alotnkf the decor is included it cuts cost we are looking at 12,000 vs 20,000

Keep in mind a DW shifts BIG costs to your guests. We were going to do a DW in Napa with 40 guests but it was too expensive for us and then (flight, hotel, transportation, meal costs). So we did a DW with 15 guests and a local reception for 50 guests. That’s an option for you. Family-only DW, then a local reception later (restaurant brunch or catered lunch/dinner in a community or church hall).

What about a brunch wedding in NYC? Cheaper food, guests don’t drink as much, skip DJ/dancing.

Or look at nearby cities for a Friday night or early Sunday afternoon/evening wedding if you want dancing.

We are doing a DW to Cancún México.. originally I wanted 30 guests only and so our budget was not more then 10K.. obviously it would have been less because now that our parents have decided to invite the whole world, now we are at 55 guest and my budget is looking at exactly 12K.. that’s excluding any money we spend there.. I haven’t bought my dress either but I don’t plan on spending more than $400 on it.. DW can be costly for your guests but if they are down for it and make it a vacation of their own just like mine are then it’s worth it.. if you also don’t feel about about people not attending then go that route.. we decided on a DW because it’s less stressful and we’ll make it part of our honeymoon as well..we will be there for 7 days.. so we will be saving on the stay and flights—paying only once for both things... anyways, any questions? Ask away..

For where I live, I found that the wedding itself it about the same to have it here vs destination. So we opted to plan ours in Key West (Sheraton Suites), because that’s what we wanted. It is the place that suits us best, as we both love the ocean and margaritas! I would imagine NYC would be similar in price to any destination you choose, especially since staying overnight in the city can be very expensive. So why don’t you choose a place that best describes the two of you as a couple. Maybe find a city in the south, so you can your destination and he gets his city. Or perhaps there is somewhere you had gone on vacation that you would like to go again and share with your family.

Our destination would be more than half of the guest list slashed. 60 vs 150 but he doesn’t think it would be cost effective for his family with travel and passports so we decided on a elopment destination and a big party when we come back . Both of our families are huge and doing a reception was becoming stressful trying to keep the list down. He’s one of 14 children . Lots of family lots of aunts uncles nieces and nephews .

View Quoted Comment What hotel

View Quoted Comment I had felt in love with Hyat Ziva!!! But the more guest the more $$ so we went with our second option.. Finest Playa Mujeres... both of them have an adults section only which is perfect for us!!! I can’t wwait!!!

We’re planning to do a destination wedding in Italy, and we’re finding that a local wedding in the states would be about the same cost and the same % if people would come. There’s not one location you will find (most of the time ) that all 95-100% of your guest list could attend. we chose destination because it would be more intimate, our families spending 3 nights together in the same accomodations and really getting to know each other vs. 6 hrs of chaos then the wedding is over and everyone disperses to their respective hotels/homes. And those that want to be there, and travel, will make it happen. All they pay for is the flights and everything else is covered! Will probably have a party back home after to see those that aren’t able to make it to Italy.

View Quoted Comment Which resort and about how much is flight and hotel for your guest

I’m from NY a a decent wedding venue is 20K plus I have a large family and we both work for the airline 11+ years so a huge work family as well we decided to do a DW in Jamaica we got great deals from Multiple hotels we visited 2 for free but ended up going with the Luxury Bahia Principe fog multiple reasons. One I’ve stayed there before they have great nightlife it really beautiful grounds and I didn’t want kids but decided that since my family is huge and this hotel has two sides (adults only/family) I would do this hotel so my siblings and guest could bring their families and make a trip out of it. I’m even having the hotel do a room with sitter for kids as no kids are allowed at the reception.
Look around and do research.