- Determine your budget
- Pick your destination
- Research the marriage requirements of the destination(s) you're interested in
- Choose a wedding venue/resort
- Select your wedding package
- Book your wedding date and accommodations (& book early!) for the best deals and availability
- Make flight arrangements with your Destination Wedding Specialist
- Finalize the details with your Destination Wedding Specialist
- Many of the elements of planning a destination wedding - such reserving hotel room blocks and finalizing onsite vendors - can be fulfilled by a destination wedding specialist and travel agent.
Top Reasons to Have a Destination Wedding
How Much Does a Destination Wedding Cost?
| Item | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Accommodations | $2,257 |
| Airfare | $1,000 |
| Wedding Package | $3,208 |
How to Plan a Destination Wedding
When you set out to plan your destination wedding, you may feel a bit overwhelmed or unsure of where to start. Here are some simple steps to help you walk through the wedding planning process:
Explore Romantic Wedding Destinations
One of the biggest aspects of planning a destination wedding is choosing where to tie the knot! There are countless, beautiful locations to consider. Unless you have a specific locale in mind, the task of making your choice can be an exciting - albeit overwhelming - one.
Whether you are hoping to have a tropical wedding on a white-sand beach, or to say your vows among picturesque mountaintops, there are some truly stunning locations to consider for your destination wedding. You and your partner may wish to stay in the states and get married in Hawaii, or stay on the continent and say "I do" in sunny Mexico. Perhaps you have always dreamed of getting married under the Cancun sun, on a cool island in the Caribbean, or in the lush rainforests of Costa Rica.
By determining your budget, wedding style, season, and travel preferences, you can zero in on the area where you'd like to take the plunge. Explore some of the top wedding destinations below!
Special Destination Wedding Venue Inspiration
Living Happily Ever After
Whether you decide to elope on an intimate island, or host a grand affair at a vibrant, family-friendly resort, you have countless options when planning the destination wedding of your dreams. You may opt for a small ceremony that will just involve you and your partner, or you, your partner, and a select few loved ones. Or, you may choose to host a thrilling experience for hundreds of guests!
There are so many wonderful and romantic settings in which to start your beautiful journey as a married couple. A short plane ride from Miami could bring you to the lush and tranquil paradise of Riviera Maya, Mexico. Or, you may find that you want to take in the breathtaking sights of Costa Rica - a true dream destination for honeymooners. Often, the hardest part of destination wedding planning is deciding on just one place. But with some guidance and budgeting, you and your partner will be able to choose the perfect spot to begin your marriage together.
Wherever you decide to go, you may find that you could use some help along the way. While some couples choose to plan their wedding on their own, a destination wedding planner is invaluable in guiding and finalizing the details of a ceremony and reception so far from home. Many destination wedding planning services are complimentary for couples, and for good reason. Couples tying the knot abroad often need help with a multitude of facets involving a wedding. There may be language barriers, cultural differences, and different legal requirements in your chosen destination. The help of a specialist who knows the region can help you find the best deals on resorts, venues, and vendors for your special day. A destination wedding specialist will also help arrange travel accommodations for you and your guests, allowing you to focus on the finer details.
Many couples walking down the long-distance aisle are happy to learn they can spend just a fraction of what other couples spend on weddings planned at home. And with more American couples choosing to marry later in life, this alternative option may become the new norm for getting hitched. If you are dreaming of a breathtaking destination wedding, but are tight on cash, there are many affordable options that will stay in line with your budget.
With a little extra planning, researching, and creative thinking, it is easy and more affordable to make the day of your dreams a reality in a place far from home. Should you decide to take the plunge in a foreign or distant land, you are not likely to regret it. Take the steps to start planning your dream destination wedding today!