Let’s face it…weddings can be expensive! All those little things add up quickly and before you know it you’ve spent enough for a nice car or a down payment on a house. Eek!

Having your wedding in Mexico or the Caribbean is already one way to cut your costs significantly. Not to mention it’s going to be so freaking fun!

Here are some additional ways to save money when planning your destination wedding:

Plan and Book Early

You’ll get the best rates for your group when you book your resort at least 1 year in advance. This is just simple supply & demand. The less rooms a resort has available, the higher the rate. Plan early & lock in rates for your guests with a group contract.

Get Married on a Weekday

Some resorts charge a premium for weekend ceremonies. Since you’re not having a traditional wedding there is no need to get married on a Saturday. Consider a weekday & you’ll not only have an easier time finding an open date for your dream venue, but you may also save money!

Go All-Inclusive

All-inclusive resorts are a fantastic value. They’re great for your guests because they just pay one price upfront and it includes everything. They’re great for you because they offer very affordable wedding packages.

Keep it Local

Choose flowers that are local to the area and it’ll save you a bundle! The same goes with local vendors. Most resorts have partnerships with local photographers, DJs, and more. Take advantage of these partnerships. Not only will you save money, but you’ll also stimulate the local economy. Everybody wins!

Keep Decor Minimal

You’re getting married in paradise. Mother nature is providing some pretty spectacular decor so you don’t need to go overboard for your ceremony. Keep the decor to a minimum and let mother nature take care of the rest.

Choose the Right Resort

Most resorts will reward you for bringing a large group to their property. This could be complimentary rooms, free upgrades, or even free events (like your reception or a cocktail party). When you have a group contract these added benefits will be outlined and you’ll earn lots of goodies!

Buy an Affordable Dress

Having a tropical wedding means you don’t need to go overboard with a fancy wedding dress. In fact, I recommend keeping the dress really affordable and then doing a trash the dress session. It’s super fun & the photos will be awesome!

Take Advantage of Wedding Packages

Most resorts offer several different wedding packages that include almost everything you need. By choosing a pre-built wedding package you’ll save lots of money. It’s very important to have a realistic idea of how many guests you’ll have when choosing your package. If you’re not sure how to come up with this number, schedule a free destination wedding consultation with me & I’ll give you my formula.

I hope these tips help you save some money on your destination wedding.

Keep watching this space for my future blog with some things that are totally worth splurging on!

BONUS CONTENT!

Think a destination wedding is DEFINITELY for you, but now you have no idea where to start? How do you even figure out WHERE to get married, let alone pick a resort and a venue??

Check out our free guidebook with allll the questions you should ask to find YOUR perfect destination wedding spot. Snag your download today!