How to Plan a Destination Wedding On a Budget
According to The Knot, the average cost of a traditional wedding is over $25,000. Save money and still have the wedding of your dreams by planning a destination wedding for you and your guests to enjoy. Choose a location you and your spouse have always wanted to go -- whether an exotic island or a European castle -- and limit your guest list to those who matter the most. Plan a budget and use the money, no matter how much or how little, to have the day of your dreams at an exciting destination.
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Instructions
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Determine the overall budget for your destination wedding and stick to it. Make a list of everything you want, such as a wedding dress, photography, reception, honeymoon and so on. Prioritize the items from most important to least important and estimate the budget for each. Adjust the numbers as you pay for wedding expenses and if you are over budget in one area, you need to come in under budget with other expenses to stay within your total budgeted amount.
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Create a wedding planning binder to help you stay on track and within budget. Make a binder inexpensively by using a large three-ring binder and including dividers, labels and clear page protectors in it to organize all your wedding information. Print out your wedding budget and place in the front of the binder for easy access and reference. Regularly organize and go through your binder every month to make sure all information is up-to-date and in order. Carry your binder with you and keep a small calculator on hand so you can check prices and expenses at a moment's notice.
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Limit the guest list for your destination wedding by inviting family and close friends only to keep the overall wedding cost down. Save money on invitations by making your own instead of purchasing expensive store-bought ones. Use decorative scrapbook paper and print invitations yourself or enlist the help of a friend with elegant penmanship to handwrite the lettering for you. Mail out the invitations around four months before your wedding date and email or call guests with save-the-date notices around eight months before to give guests adequate notice and time to make travel arrangements for your destination wedding.
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Book your destination wedding location in an out-of-season time when costs are lower. Plan an all-inclusive destination wedding at a resort for a budget-friendly option and never hesitate to ask vendors for discounts and money-saving offers. Call around to area hotels at your destination and request discounted or block pricing for your wedding guests.
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Enlist the help of family and friends to perform wedding tasks instead of hiring a professional. Use a friend skilled at photography to take the wedding photos or ask a family member to make guest favors, do hair and makeup for the bridal party or put together centerpieces for the reception tables. Offer to pay the person a small agreed-upon fee or cover their airfare or hotel room expenses to show your appreciation.
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Choose simple decorations and a basic menu for your destination wedding. Schedule at an all-inclusive resort to have all decorations and food provided. Otherwise have minimal decorations that you can put up yourself, such as candles, flowers and ribbons. Serve a basic menu with a one-course meal or assorted appetizers and drinks, with only wedding cake for dessert.
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Tips & Warnings
Do as much as you can yourself, such as invitations, favors and decorations, instead of hiring a professional to save the most money.
Note that guests will need a passport destination weddings taking place out of the country.
References
- The Knot: Destination Wedding Basics: Top 13 Destination Wedding Tips
- Wedding Channel: Planning a Destination Wedding
- "Destination Weddings"; Budget Watchdog: 11 Destination Wedding Budget Tips; Lisa Milbrand
- The Wedding Report; State of the Wedding Industry Business Reported Trends Q1Q2-2011; Jen Rosenthal; 2011
- The Knot: Wedding Budget 101
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Polka Dot/Getty Images
