Destination weddings are all the rage, and for many reasons. There are many benefits to planning a destination wedding,
including offering you and your guests a unique experience as well as
potentially saving you money. But just like any wedding in any location,
it's possible to get carried away and overspend on things that aren't
exactly necessary. So we decided to have a chat with Megan Velez of Destination Weddings Travel Group to find out her expert tips for saving money on a destination wedding.
Plan Ahead
Since
you're likely extending your stay for a dual wedding and honeymoon
extravaganza, be sure to pack everything you'll need to enjoy the big
day as well as fun in the sun. Megan advises, "Skip the over-priced sunscreen
and toiletries that you'll find at your resort and bring your own.
Travel-sized products can be found at affordable prices at stores near
home, so be sure to stock up before jetting off to get hitched."
Choose an Off-Day
Since
it's likely that your guests will be traveling to be with you on your
big day, Megan advises couples to think about choosing a weekday for the
wedding festivities.
"There are often savings to be had on non-peak
days, and since your guests are already taking off time to celebrate
with you, it only makes sense to go for the option that yields the most
savings!”
Save on Extras
One of the most popular
things for couples and their guests to do at resorts is to take
advantage of optional off-site excursions, and Megan says there's a good
reason for that. "Whether it’s solely for the newlyweds to unwind or
for the whole gang to go on an adventure, it’s a great way to reconnect
and take advantage of your travels." These experiences are often offered
at an additional price, and while they offer unique and exciting
opportunities for you to try something new, they tend to come at a
premium price. Megan's advice for destination wedding travelers is to
book them in advance to save money. "Rather than wait until the last day
and see what’s available, pre-booking excursions will lock in advanced
pricing and provide you with time to plan with your guests and explore
various options."
Choose a Local Option
Just like when working domestically, sourcing local food and florals is a great way to save money on your destination wedding.
Megan advises to "seek out a local florist or opt for some regional
flavor with your resort caterer, sourcing locally for your wedding will
save both transportation costs and the headache of coordinating
out-of-town vendors.”
Consider All-Inclusives
“All-inclusive
resorts may seem extravagant, but they’re actually a great way to save
money and stick to a budget," says Megan. "When you choose an
all-inclusive, you essentially get your whole wedding package for one
flat rate and there are often concessions and promotions that can save
hundreds—even thousands—of dollars when booking a group through a
destination wedding service.“ All-inclusive resorts, like the El Dorado Royale in Riviera Maya, Mexico are incredibly popular options for destination wedding couples for this reason.
What to Nix
If
you're looking for ways to cut costs on your destination wedding, skip
the unnecessary favors and gifts. Not only are decorative knick knacks
generally a waste of money (they typically end up in the trash) but
you'll likely need to pay extra shipping fees or additional baggage fees
if transporting them yourself.
Hopefully with the help
of these tips, you'll be able to plan the destination wedding of your
dreams on a budget you can afford. If you're still trying to answer the
age-old question, "is a destination wedding right for you?" I would suggest checking out Megan's company DestinationWeddings.com, as well as our destination wedding resources here on About via the links below. Happy Planning!
