In 2024, my husband and I got married at a hacienda just outside of Mexico City, and it truly was the best day of our lives. By planning your dream destination wedding on a budget, not only do you get to celebrate amongst family and friends, but you get to create a unique, multi-day experience in one of your favorite places with your most cherished people (for way less than in the US). I wouldn’t trade that experience for anything!
In our case, we were able to host a karaoke night, pool party, welcome dinner, and the wedding itself for the same price it would cost for one nice wedding day in the U.S. It’s honestly mind blowing.
If you’re planning a destination wedding on a budget, here’s everything you need to know to pull it off.
What Is a Destination Wedding? (+ Why They’re Growing in Popularity)
Destination weddings have only increased in popularity since COVID, and show no sign of slowing down.
Destination weddings are weddings that are held outside of the couple’s hometown or immediate community. This means that you can have a destination wedding within the US or abroad.
I believe that destination weddings are increasing in popularity for a couple of reasons:
- Prices in the US are becoming untenable
- More and more, people are valuing unique experiences over things
- It creates a more intimate setting with only those closest to you (vs. a 500 person wedding with all of your distant family friends)
- It serves as a built-in vacation and a trip people can look forward to
While they aren’t always cheaper (and there are certainly ways to do it big), destination weddings can be planned on a budget it you’re intentional about it.
Is It Cheaper to Do a Destination Wedding?
Destination weddings often cost less than traditional hometown weddings for a variety of different reasons:
- If you get married in a cheaper region
- Fewer guests (saves money on food, drinks, and venue size)
- There are often vendor packages available at a better rate for destination weddings
- You can plan for off-season rates for better deals
Of course if you pick a destination like Bora Bora, it’s going to be extremely expensive. But if you look at small weddings at an all-inclusive in the Caribbean, Mexico, or even Europe, you can find great deals.
Top 5 Common Destination Wedding Locations & Cost Comparison
| Destination | Typical All-In Wedding Cost | Why It’s Affordable / Key Cost Drivers |
|---|---|---|
| Mexico | $6,000–$15,000 | Competitive resort packages, local vendors, and lower labor & decor costs make Mexico one of the most budget-friendly popular destinations. |
| Dominican Republic | $4,500–$13,000 | All-inclusive resorts with wedding packages, group-room rates, and built-in vendor services make this destination affordable for a wedding on a budget. |
| Jamaica | $7,000–$17,000 | Beautiful Caribbean resorts, competitive vendor pricing, and off-season rates allow couples to have a stunning wedding without overspending. |
| Costa Rica |
$8,000–$10,000 (mid-range) |
Resort packages, natural scenery, and small venue options keep costs lower. Local vendors can help couples plan a beautiful destination wedding on a budget. |
| Bali, Indonesia | $5,000–$15,000 (intimate) $15,000–$40,000+ (larger/luxury) |
Low labor costs, affordable local vendors, and scenic villas give couples a high-end look at a fraction of typical costs. |
*Note: Prices are averages and may vary based on guest count, season, and resort packages. Always request detailed quotes and ask about inclusions when planning your destination wedding.*
Average Budget for a Destination Wedding
While the average budget for a destination wedding can vary greatly depending on your destination, here’s a range you can plan within.
Budget-Friendly Range: $8,000 – $20,000
This typically includes:
- Travel + lodging for the couple
- Venue + ceremony fees
- Catering for 20–40 guests
- Photographer
- Basic décor/florals
- Welcome dinner or activity
- Wedding attire
- Planner or on-site coordinator
To give you an idea – I wanted a beautiful outdoor wedding with lots of bright florals, and I was worried about what that would cost. But in Mexico, florals are actually one of the least expensive factors in wedding decor and planning. The exact pricing and what you’re able to get for your budget will depend on your location.
Research your destination and talk to vendors to figure out where you can splurge vs. save, because the pricing will be much different than in the USA!
Download a FREE destination wedding budget template below!
How to Choose Your Destination
With so many options at your fingertips, it’s hard to decide on the perfect destination for your wedding.
Here are the biggest things you should keep in mind to help you choose:
- Are there direct flights/is it easy to get to?
- Does it align with your style and vision?
- Are there language, safety, or cultural implications?
- Is it an affordable destination, not only for vendors + logistics, but for your guests?
Should You Hire a Destination Wedding Planner?
Once you know your destination, the first thing I recommend you do is look into wedding planners. You can usually find a high-quality wedding planner for MUCH cheaper than in the US. Having a destination wedding planner will also help you track your expenses and make sure you stay within budget.
So based on girl math, you’re actually saving money by hiring a planner.
For context, we had great planners that cost about $1,500 to plan the whole thing from start to finish, including extra events and guest coordination/logistics. This is a no brainer to save yourself the stress of coordinating everything in a foreign country.
How to find a wedding planner:
- Do you have friends, family, or connections who have gotten married in your destination? See if they have a personal recommendation.
- Check wedding sites like Wedding Wire or Zola, and make sure to look at reviews.
- Do some research online and look at photos of weddings that match your style, then see who planned them.
If you decide to hire a planner, they’ll then help you through the venue selection process. We ended up hiring Champagne Events for our wedding outside of Mexico City and can’t recommend them enough!
How to Choose a Destination Wedding Venue
This is the first thing you need to do once you start the planning process, and it can be tricky planning from far away.
Here are my tips for selecting a destination wedding venue:
- Prioritize having guests stay on site. Trust me on this! It’ll be a much smoother and more seamless experience to have everyone in the same place.
- Look into vendor packages. Most venues that support destination weddings will have preferred vendors that you have to choose from. Make sure you like your options & prices.
- Evaluate their requirements/rules. Some venues enforce quiet hours especially if it’s a hotel or resort. Make sure you’re aligned with their “dos and don’ts”.
- Budget for a scouting trip. Even the most perfect looking venue online might come with surprises when you see it in person. Go check it out with your planner to avoid any unforeseen surprises!
Destination Wedding Planning Tools & Essentials
Planning a destination wedding becomes much easier when you have the right tools, vendors, and support services in place. These essentials will help you stay organized, save money, and keep every detail running smoothly, even when you’re far away.
- Zola or The Knot – Ideal for wedding websites, guest list management, and online RSVPs.
- Wedding Wire – Great for finding wedding planners and vendors abroad.
- Google Sheets – Nothing ground breaking, but essential for planning spreadsheets, vendor tracking, and destination wedding budget tracking.
- Wanderlog – For organizing travel itineraries for you and your guests. This is also great for planning your honeymoon!
- Pinterest – Having an organized folder on Pinterest for your wedding decor/design will be crucial when you go to communicate with your planner or vendors so they know what you’re looking for.
Note that if you a hire a planner, they’ll likely come in with their own set of tools/customer portal for you to leverage!
Get the destination wedding travel essentials I guarantee you’ll need:
- Foldable travel garment bag for wedding dress
- My favorite carry-on luggage
- Travel toiletry kit & makeup bag
- Compact travel steamer
- Airtag (so you can keep track of important luggage!)
- Travel sized vow books
Top 5 Money-Saving Tips for Your Destination Wedding
I’ll leave you with 5 final money saving tips to help you maximize your destination wedding (on a budget).
- Choose an all-inclusive resort to bundle venue, food, drinks, and even some vendors. This is one of the easiest ways to plan a destination wedding on a budget without sacrificing the experience. Plus, it’s easier on your guests as well.
- Get married during shoulder season for lower rates and better availability. Destinations like Mexico, Jamaica, and Greece offer huge price drops outside peak travel months.
- Keep your guest list intimate. Smaller guest counts mean lower catering, décor, and transportation costs, making your destination wedding more affordable and easier to manage.
- Use digital save-the-dates and invites. Wedding websites and e-invites reduce printing and postage costs and simplify planning from afar.
- Leverage local resources instead of shipping décor or florals. Many destinations offer beautiful, affordable flowers and décor options, helping you keep your wedding on a budget while embracing the local style.
BONUS TIP: Find affordable flights for your wedding and honeymoon through Kiwi!
This is my go-to for booking cheap and reliable flights. I’ve booked through Kiwi and got stuck due to a flight cancellation in the past, and they were quick to book hotel accommodations and offer meal vouchers at no charge. If you’re planning your big day and need some assurance that you’re taken care of, Kiwi is the best!
Final Thoughts
I was so nervous about committing to a destination wedding at first. What if people don’t want to make the trip? What if we run into travel issues? Will it be too much for people?
After going through the whole experience, I can confidently say that you can (and should!) do it if this is a dream of yours. Budget for a planner, do your research, and save yourself the headache. It should be a FUN process, and with the right resources, it will be.
So, are you planning a destination wedding in 2026 or beyond? Tell me what questions you have in the comments!
This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only share products and experiences I genuinely love.
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