About Destination Wedding Giveaways

So you're getting married, and you'd like it all paid for by someone else, preferably in an exotic locale? Well, that scenario is not entirely out of your reach. Many resorts hold contests for free destination wedding packages, so there's a way to win both a nice wedding and a getaway for you and your guests. However, along with the many benefits of winning a destination wedding, there are some drawbacks that you should keep in mind before sending in your entry form.

The Benefits

Obviously, the biggest benefit of a destination wedding giveaway is scoring an expenses-paid wedding. According to a 2009 study conducted by The Knot, the average cost of a wedding is $27,000, and it's higher in more urban areas. The average cost of a destination wedding reception is actually 41% less, according to a study on WeddingSolutions.com -- but those savings are quickly eaten up by airfare and lodging costs.

What's Included

The average wedding giveaway will include accommodations for the bride and groom for three to six days; an on-site wedding coordinator at the resort or hotel; costs for the registrar and ceremony; flowers at the venue, including a bouquet for the bride and boutonniere for the groom; wedding cake; champagne; and all taxes and gratuities. Some more extravagant packages, depending on the participating resort or hotel, will even include butler-passed hors d'oeuvres for a cocktail hour after the wedding and a sit-down dinner with open bar.

The Catch

Unfortunately, nothing is ever entirely free. While some of the more extravagant giveaways may include a large chunk of the wedding day details, there are always additional expenses you may be responsible for covering. In addition to your own airfare, rarely will a wedding giveaway include travel and accommodations for guests. Depending on your budget, you may have to pay your guests' travel and hotel costs. Even if your guests are willing to pay their own way, you may have to limit the number of attendees. Most contests supply wedding packages for up to 50 to 60 guests. So if you were thinking of a bigger wedding -- say, 150 to 200 guests -- you will most likely be responsible for paying the difference.

Where to Find Giveaways

There are plenty of high-end resorts willing to offer an expenses-paid affair in exchange for the business that comes with it. Magazines and websites such as Destination Weddings and Honeymoons and The Knot are filled with ads from resorts touting their current giveaways. Destination Weddings and Honeymoons actually has a page dedicated just to wedding and honeymoon contests.

Partial Giveaways

Any contest is a gamble. If you are looking for a more guaranteed way to score a partially free wedding, some resorts offer complimentary wedding packages in exchange for a hotel stay. For instance, as of fall 2009, Sandals resorts were offering a free "Carefree Weddings" package if you book a six-night stay in a Concierge-level room or higher. Ritz Carlton resorts offered a free ceremony (including coordinator and decor) and 3-night stay on your anniversary when you reserved 25 rooms for three nights at any property in the Caribbean.

References

• Destination Weddings and Honeymoons; "Free Reign"; Jimmy Im; fall 2009
• Destination Wedding Costs and Solutions
• The Knot

Resources

• Destination Weddings and Honeymoons
• Wedding Contests