When deciding if a destination wedding is right for you, “Who pays for what in a destination wedding?” is usually one of the biggest questions to come up.
The short answer is, not you! At least not all of it. In fact, if you have enough guests, you may even get to travel and stay for free. Many couples find that a destination wedding is much more affordable than they imagined, especially compared to the cost of planning one locally themselves.
We’ve broken it down so you know who is generally responsible for various expenses. And if you need further clarification, our destination wedding specialists are standing by with answers.
Flights and Hotel
The good news is, as the couple, it’s not necessary for you to pay for everyone’s flights and hotel stays. Guests are usually expected to pay their way when it comes to travel and accommodation because it’s part of the destination experience. A large majority of destination weddings are held at all-inclusive resorts, so guests are able to really enjoy the vacation part of the celebration.
At Onward Travel we are able to reserve room blocks at special rates (depending on the destination and resort), and most importantly, we take on the work of getting everyone booked in and ready for the trip!
You send out the invitations with our information on them and we take care of the rest! We are here to make your destination wedding planning as stress-free as possible.
The Wedding Planner
If you choose to host your destination wedding at a resort, most often the resort will provide you with a designated and complimentary wedding planner that is available to help you prepare for the event and will be there with you every step of the way on-site.
If you decide to hire your own wedding planner, we can get you set up with the on-site event coordinator and they can work together to make your day extra special and stress-free.
The Rehearsal Dinner
Not all couples decide to host a rehearsal dinner during a destination wedding because most guests will be enjoying each other’s company during the entire trip.
However, if this is of interest to you, it may require extra venue hire on-site, as well as charges for a banquet and open bar, even if you choose an all-inclusive resort.
Alternatively, you could decide to host the rehearsal dinner at a nearby local restaurant, but it’s important not to forget the transportation. In any case, it is customary for the parents to foot this bill, however, it could be a nice treat that the couple may choose to provide for their guests.
Some wedding packages will include a rehearsal dinner built into the package price. As your destination wedding travel planner, we also double as the event planner and will work together with the on-site wedding coordinator to arrange any additional events you may want. Just tell us your vision and we take care of the rest!
Hair and Makeup for the Wedding Party
Hair and makeup for the wedding party is a separate expense that either the couple will choose to pick up or the wedding party is responsible for paying on their own.
Either way, this is something that can be arranged by the designated wedding planner or event coordinator.
The Photographer
Much like the hair and makeup team, the photographer and/or videographer is an expense that should be budgeted for by the couple. Again, the designated wedding planner will put couples in contact with a photographer that will be able to provide their rates and pricing.
In many cases, a resort will have on-site photographers employed by said resort to cover the wedding and any other events you choose. Depending on the wedding package, a photographer may already be included in the package price.
The Ceremony, Venue, and Reception
The beauty of a destination wedding is that once you choose the wedding package you like, your travel consultant (us) and the resort will take care of the rest.
Packages range from the very simple to extravagant affairs and will generally include a symbolic ceremony, venue hire and decorations, flowers, a wedding cake, sparkling wine for a toast, the reception (including a private venue, banquet, decorations, and bar service), and added perks such as spa discounts, turndown services, and late check-outs for your guests. The inclusions will vary by destination, resort, and the package level itself.
This is an expense that is generally paid for by the couple. Because the packages are usually so comprehensive and organized, it makes it very easy to pick one and let the wedding team take care of the rest!
Group Excursions
Many couples will plan a special group excursion such as a sunset catamaran tour as a way to say thank you to their guests for attending. This allows the whole group to get together, unwind, and have a fun time!
The Couple Travels for Free!
Now we’re on to the best part. If you plan it right, your destination wedding could be entirely free!
Many resorts offer complimentary wedding packages if you fill enough rooms in your room block. On top of that, there may also be the opportunity to get your accommodation for free as well based on how many guests and/or rooms are sold.
Additionally, many couples will have a destination wedding fund in which guests present their wedding gifts in the form of money toward their travel expenses for the wedding. The best part is, that’s something we can handle. Your guests, whether they are attending the wedding or not, are able to pay for your travel expenses directly through us so you can watch your balance decrease. What better way to celebrate love than with free travel?!
To sum up, there may be other small expenses to consider including your wedding attire and accessories, but for the most part, most expenses are included at set prices within the wedding package itself.
With the ease of comprehensive wedding packages to choose from and us, your friendly travel consultants, arranging all of your guests’ travel, you get to sit back and count down the days until the big day! We can’t stress this enough… it truly is that easy!
