How Much Does a Destination Wedding Actually Cost?

12/18/2024

When you picture your dream wedding, does it include a white sandy beach, the soothing sound of waves, and your closest family and friends gathered for an intimate celebration? If so, you’re in good company! Destination weddings are more popular than ever, but there’s one question every couple asks: How much does a destination wedding cost?

The short answer? It depends. But don’t worry, we’ll break it all down for you. Whether you’re dreaming of a lush beach resort in Mexico, a picturesque ceremony in Jamaica, or something more exotic, here’s everything you need to know.

Key Factors That Impact Your Destination Wedding Cost

Guest Count
One of the biggest factors affecting your wedding cost is how many people will join you. Destination weddings are typically smaller than traditional weddings, with an average of 50 guests. A larger guest list increases expenses for meals, seating, cake and champagne - but it can also earn you many more perks like free room nights or reception credits.

Destination Choice
Not all destinations are created equal. The location you choose significantly influences your overall cost:

Affordable favorites: Mexico, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic. These destinations offer excellent value, thanks to their abundance of all-inclusive resorts and easy accessibility from the U.S.
Exotic splurges: Far away islands like St. Lucia and Aruba are enticing, but these stunning locales come with higher travel costs and challenging flight schedules as well as higher room rates. There are also far fewer all-inclusive resorts to choose from.

Did you know that 70% of couples choose Mexico for their destination wedding? With affordable flights, incredible hospitality, and gorgeous resort options, it’s easy to see why.

Wedding Date
Timing is everything. Shoulder seasons, like late spring or fall, often offer the best value. Peak seasons (winter holidays and summer) tend to come with higher price tags. Being flexible with your dates can lead to significant savings.

Peak season = high rates: mid-Jan through Easter, all major holidays
Mid-season = average rates: Easter through August, early January
Low season = low rates: September through early November, early December

What Does the Average Destination Wedding Cost?

For many couples, a destination wedding offers the perfect mix of affordability and elegance. On average, destination weddings cost around $15,000. This includes:

The couple’s travel and accommodations.
Ceremony and reception essentials (basic décor, officiant, seating).
Cocktail party and dinner reception for guests.

For comparison, a traditional wedding in the U.S. often exceeds $30,000, making a destination wedding an appealing option for couples seeking value and quality time with guests without sacrificing style.

Start planning your destination wedding here!

Real-Life Examples of Destination Weddings

Want to see how this looks in real life? Below are a handful of weddings planned by Romance Travel Group. Costs include the destination wedding package for the ceremony, cocktail hour and dinner reception (with all food and drinks, tables, chairs) Travel costs include the room and flight for the couple. Cash back is the rebate the couple earned from the resort and Romance Travel Group.

Kelsey & Skyler

28 guests/14 rooms
Wedding cost: $7501
Travel cost: $3800
Cash back: $1652
Total cost: $9649

Stephanie & Ryan

39 guests/21 rooms
Wedding cost: $5514
Travel cost: $4100
Cash back: $1641
Total cost: $7973

Jenna & Jacob

82 guests/40 rooms
Wedding cost: $17673
Travel cost: $4600
Cash back: $3249
Total cost: $19024

Jocelyn & Andrew

50 guests/26 rooms
Wedding cost: $13220
Travel cost: $3200
Cash back: $1551
Total cost: $14869

Tips for Saving Money on Your Destination Wedding

Choose an All-Inclusive Resort
All-inclusive resorts can save you thousands by bundling meals, drinks, and entertainment. Plus, they simplify the planning process, allowing you to focus on the fun.

Book Early and Leverage Group Discounts
Working with a travel planner like Romance Travel Group ensures you’ll secure the best rates and perks. We negotiate group contracts and manage room blocks so you can enjoy stress-free planning.

Be Selective with Add-Ons
Extras like elaborate floral arrangements, custom décor, or premium entertainment can add up quickly. Consider what’s truly meaningful to you and skip the rest – no one will ever notice.

Why Choose Romance Travel Group?

Planning a destination wedding can feel overwhelming, but that’s where we come in! At Romance Travel Group, we specialize in making your dream wedding a reality. Here’s why couples trust us:

Expertise: With over 25 years of experience, we know the ins and outs of destination weddings.
Stress-Free Process: From choosing the perfect resort to managing guest reservations, we handle every detail for you at no cost.
Exclusive Perks: Our partnerships with top resorts mean you’ll enjoy unique benefits not available elsewhere

But don’t just take our word for it—our happy couples say it best:

"Romance Travel Group made organizing our destination wedding seamless, keeping everything and everyone perfectly aligned. Their professionalism, responsiveness, and cost-saving services—offered at no cost to us—exceeded our expectations. Choosing them was one of the best decisions we made, and we can't wait to refer other couples to RTG!" – Carolyn and Jackson, Sandos Cancun

View Carolyn & Jackson's Wedding

"Planning a destination wedding on our own was overwhelming, but Romance Travel Group made it effortless. With 100 guests, we needed an affordable yet perfect location, and they delivered beyond our expectations. From the first call, we knew we could trust them, and they found us the ideal destination!" – Lexie and Evan, Dreams Las Mareas

view Lexie & Evan's Wedding

"Romance Travel Group was incredible from start to finish, making our destination wedding planning stress-free and enjoyable. Heather and Shelli handled everything—from choosing our resort and creating our website to booking guests and organizing transportation. We couldn’t have had the wedding of our dreams without them!" – Amy and Lukas, Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta

view Amy & Lukas's wedding

Let’s Make Your Dream Wedding a Reality

Now that you know what to expect, it’s time to take the next step. Whether you’re just starting to dream or ready to dive into planning, Romance Travel Group is here to help. Contact us today for a free consultation . You’ll be so glad you did! Your tropical celebration is closer than you think!

Start planning your destination wedding here!

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