How to Find the Best Deal on a Destination Wedding
With the average American wedding costing upwards of $20,000, brides and grooms are looking for money-saving alternatives. About 40 percent of wedding guests have to fly to attend the ceremony, so why not fly somewhere exotic? A destination wedding can often be a dramatic savings over a traditional wedding and provides a luxurious vacation for the wedding couple and their guests. The cost of an all-inclusive “weddingmoon” can be as low as $2,500 for the couple and about $900 for guests. Before making any decisions, do some research to find the best deals for your destination wedding.
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Instructions
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Decide the basic location (the country) of your wedding. Call or perform Web research on the various hotels and resorts. Many popular places have grand resorts as well as more intimate locations for your wedding weekend.
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Ask the hotels for discounts for the bride and groom and for the guests. Often a wedding package will offer the best savings. If there are aspects of this package that you won't use, ask for a credit or an upgrade elsewhere.
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Change the date. Being flexible with your wedding date can save you and your guests money. Traveling during the off season can save money on airfare, resort rates and even merchandise in stores. For the best weather and off-season pricing, travel right before or immediately after the peak season.
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Contact airlines to ask for discounts. If you are expecting 10 or more guests, many airlines offer group booking discounts. Contact the airlines servicing your destination area for specific discount amounts.
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Send save-the-date cards to those you will be inviting several months in advance. It is important to give your guests enough time to search out the best prices on airline tickets and plan vacation time around work schedules. Having an accurate guest headcount will make it easier for you to plan.
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Hire professional help. A wedding coordinator provided by the resort can clue you in to the best local deals for tourist attractions and other entertainment. A professional wedding planner can help you choose reliable vendors and venues and often secure lower prices and better values, as well as help you cover all your bases.
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Tips & Warnings
Different countries have different laws about marriage licensing. Some licenses cost a significant amount of money, while others cost little but require a residential stay before being granted. In some locations, such as in Mexico, you must apply for the marriage license in person. At that point, you will be informed of the necessary paperwork and other requirements. You may have to plan an earlier trip to your destination to navigate the paperwork.
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