How bad of an idea is it to have a destination wedding (Hawaii) in the first or second week of December? We are trying to book our venue which is also an estate that would house our bridal party and family, but it is half the price for dates through the end of this year vs. 2020. There are two homes on the estate and if we rent both homes we can have up to 50 people on the property for the wedding. However, if we just rent only one of the homes, we can only have max of 25 guests (which is mostly wedding party and family) and we'd be probably be sharing the common areas with some random group or family that rents the other home. The other difference is that through the end of 2019, there is only a 5 night minimum, however in 2020 it is a 7 night min.
Basically if we do it in February as we planned, it would cost $8,000 for 7 nights for one home (18 guests) and it wouldn't be in our budget to get the 2nd home. We would have to get a cheaper vacation condo or rental to fit the rest of our bridal party/family as well since it would be a little tight with only 8 beds in that home.
Or we could do it the first or second week of December and it would only cost $3850 per home, so we could afford to get both homes (bridal party/family could all stay on same property) and we'd be able to invite up to 50 guests to the wedding as well.
I just am not sure if doing it in December is worth it. I know personally I wouldn't mind if someone invited me to a destination wedding in December, but I assume that it doesn't seem like a great time for some people since it is near the Holidays.
I've heard people say a Con for December is more expensive flights, but the flights actually aren't any more expensive since it isn't the weeks surrounding the holiday (I've checked already). I've also heard some people might have less money to spend at that time due to Christmas (presents, etc.). But if they have to purchase the flight in advance anyway, and the lodging (for the bridal party/family at least) is already covered, wouldn't they not really be spending much for the wedding in the actual month of December anyway (except spending money while there)?
What do y'all think? Does the savings and better accommodations for everyone outweigh the Cons of doing a December wedding?
