Destination Weddings on a Budget

A destination wedding allows the bride and groom to be married somewhere other than their hometown. This typically means guests must travel to attend the wedding. Many destination weddings can be expensive. However, there are ways to have a destination wedding on a budget.

• Try a cruise. A cruise is a budget-friendly option because many items are already included in the price of the cruise ticket. Guests have to pay only for the cruise ticket to have access to food, lodging and an exotic destination.


• Think Asia. Although it may be expensive to get to Asian destinations such as Singapore, Thailand or Hong Kong, once there, the wedding can be done cheaply because of the exchange rate. Explore how much the US dollar can buy in other countries.


• Keep a trim guest list. Each guest will need to be figured into the budget for food and lodging. With fewer guests, more money can be allotted to choosing an exotic destination.


• Have the wedding during the week. It is often cheaper to fly during the week than over the weekend. Hotels and venues may also offer specials for couples getting married mid-week.


• Think small. Sometimes, the cheapest destination weddings are off the beaten path. Instead of flying to Hawaii for a destination wedding, maybe a small town in Florida can offer the same exotic atmosphere at a fraction of the cost.


• Be flexible. It can be difficult to plan a budget wedding if you choose your wedding date, location and color scheme first. Be open to new ideas so that the travel agent and wedding planner can offer the best deals.