Planning destination wedding on budget
SEPHINE OGUNDEJI looks at how you can plan a destination wedding without spending a king’s ransom
Destination weddings, with their enticing blend of romance, adventure, and the allure of discovery, cast an irresistible spell upon couples with a thirst for wanderlust.
Yet, amid the enchantment of far-flung locales, a familiar concern often arises, the daunting challenge of managing destination wedding expenses.
According to a report on Brides, creating a budget would be one of the very first steps to planning your affordable destination wedding.
It stated, “Budget planning for destination weddings often begins more than a year in advance, and for many, this part of the process can overshadow the joys of planning. But it’s a necessity if you want to save money. When creating a budget, you should research the local area to see what’s realistic for that region.
“It is important to set an early budget because like with most events, there can be hidden costs. You will need to factor in things like the trips you’ll take to visit the destination before your wedding day.”
To find affordable venues for your wedding, the Brides report advised consultation with a destination wedding planner early on, prioritising natural beauty to minimise decoration costs, and inquiring about included amenities to potentially save on rental expenses.
It read further, “To save money on travel and accommodations for your destination wedding, consider combining your wedding and honeymoon to take advantage of cost-saving packages offered by resorts and utilise rewards from airline credit cards for discounts on flights and other perks.
“To cut costs on food and drink for events, consider utilising local vendors for their expertise and potential cost savings, inquire about resort-approved vendors while being mindful of potential surcharges, carefully assess venue options for included services and catering offerings, and control alcohol expenses by implementing a specified cocktail list while adding personal touches like signature drinks.”
Here are other salient points recommended by the report:
Hire a Destination Wedding Planner: While it may initially seem like an added expense, hiring a destination wedding planner can save you money in the long run. Their expertise in navigating contracts and vendor connections can help secure better deals. On-site planners can also handle details you can’t manage from afar, ensuring a smoother planning process.
Have a Weekday Wedding: Opting for a less traditional time slot, such as a weekday or off-peak season, can reduce rates. Weekday weddings also allow guests to enjoy the destination over the weekend, and off-peak seasons offer less crowded venues and potentially lower travel costs.
Get Officially Married Before You Reach Your Destination: Save on legal fees, transportation, and paperwork by getting legally married in your home country before the destination wedding. This avoids the need to navigate foreign legalities and can simplify the process.
Downsize Your Guest List: Hosting a smaller, more intimate wedding can significantly reduce costs. Limiting the guest list allows couples to save money and enjoy a more meaningful celebration with close friends and family.
Skip the Wedding Favours: Instead of traditional wedding favours, consider alternatives like welcome gifts with local snacks or a donation to a local charity. These options can be less expensive and more thoughtful, saving money while still showing appreciation to guests.
Source an All-in-One Entertainment Vendor: Opting for a single entertainment vendor that provides services like music, lighting, and sound can be more cost-effective and reduce stress. Consolidating these services into one vendor often results in better pricing compared to hiring individual vendors for each aspect of entertainment.
A financial expert, Olufemi Ososan, said according to the definition provided by Wikipedia, a wedding is a ceremony where two individuals are united in marriage, typically involving the couple and their parents as crucial participants.
He added, “So a wedding is a ceremony i.e., a party and should be done in moderation. A budget-friendly wedding is one where the amount spent on the wedding is easily gotten by either the couple or their family. Simply put, the amount in savings/investment is way higher than the amount budgeted for the wedding to put numbers to it might be me saying a 10 per cent to 20 per cent of one’s savings.”
A destination wedding, according to Ososan, on the other hand, is a ceremony hosted away from the couple’s hometown, often requiring travel for both the wedding party and guests. To plan a budget-friendly destination wedding, the foll
