Header image by James Mason Photography

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In my 15 years of writing about weddings, I’ve learned that the cost of a destination wedding depends very much on location, guest lists and styling. But in all of that time I’ve never had a detailed insight into all of the factors which can affect costs of getting married abroad. Today, that changed! I’ve been reading a fabulous article by Michelle Jacobs (luxury destination wedding planner) which really explains everything you should consider when you’re weighing up the relative costs of UK or destination weddings. (Read How much do destination weddings cost? The 7 deciding factors here.)

Most importantly, there are no guarantees that a destination wedding will cost less than getting married in the UK.

Yes, having a smaller guest list will reduce certain costs. If a wedding in Europe will cut your guest list from, say 100 to 20 guests, you’ll be able to plan a simpler, intimate wedding. However, if you’re heading to a popular tourist destination, hiring a wedding venue, or entertaining your guests for more than just one day, you need to factor in those extra costs.

If you’re thinking of a slightly smaller wedding, but still want a ceremony and styled sit down meal with entertainment for your guests, then you’ll need to consider costs and your budget very carefully before you commit. Michelle identifies 7 factors which usually make destination weddings more or less expensive than getting married here in the UK:

1. Your guest list
2. Currency fluctuations
3. Your destination country
4. Styling and florals
5. Additional events
6. Suppliers
7. Miscellaneous items (this is the ‘oooh I hadn’t thought of that!’ section)

In a nutshell (remember there’s lots more on Michelle’s website) here’s what you need to know about the costs of a destination wedding.

Will a smaller guest list mean your destination wedding is cheaper?

If you’re inviting a wide circle of family and friends, you’re likely to have a lower rate of acceptance when you send your invitations. Michelle quotes a 20 – 30% drop out rate for destination weddings compared to a 10% drop out rate for UK weddings. You might naturally invite a smaller group to a destination wedding too. Based on guest numbers alone, this can indicate cost savings… but it’s not that simple: there’s more you need to consider.

Currency conversion rates will affect the cost of your destination wedding.

Exchange rates are worth considering before you book your wedding abroad. A strong pound will mean you get more for your money, but if the currency of your destination country is stronger, this will impact what you’re paying overall. This article on Wedinspire has some examples of how exchange rates could impact the cost of your wedding.

Negotiating currency conversions when booking venues and suppliers will be complex, so consider hiring an experienced wedding planner with contacts in your destination country, and experience in managing invoices, deposits and payments for wedding suppliers.

Choose your country wisely! Destination weddings don’t all cost the same.

Michelle gives the example of weddings in Tuscany – a popular and luxurious holiday destination. Getting married in the Italian Lakes is likely to be expensive compared to other destinations. (Again, some useful and interesting examples on Michelle’s blog)

How weddingy can your destination wedding afford to be?

A venue which cries out for floral installations and full wedding styling will mean you pay more for your wedding. Full table styling, catering and entertainment and all the bells and whistles of a traditional wedding carries a price tag.

Other aspects can save money: a venue with breathtaking views across countryside might mean you spend less on beautifying the space for your ceremony, for example. There’s a lot to be said for letting nature be your backdrop!

Will your destination wedding be a one-day event? Or two, or three…?

A wedding at home in the UK is likely to be focused around a single day (although wedding weekends are on the rise!) But destination weddings are little holidays for your guests, and having everyone together in your amazing location means planning get togethers before and after your wedding day.

Saving you’ve made elsewhere won’t matter if you’re spending on extra events – so remember you’ll need to welcome your guests and spend time with them. Hosting other gatherings should be factored into your destination wedding budget.

Choosing the best wedding suppliers for your destination wedding

At the core of your wedding supplier decisions is the question of whether to use local businesses.  Often venues will have set suppliers and packages – florists often take on table styling and hire items (we mentioned this in our blog with Michelle: How to choose your wedding flowers – it’s worth a read!) so your choices may be limited.

At Elegante by Michelle J, 3 factors are all-important when deciding whether to hire local suppliers or fly in vendors from home. These are: cost, environmental issues and authenticity.

It’s often cheaper to hire local wedding vendors, but your choice may be limited – especially in rural locations. Think beyond flowers to photography and videography, wedding entertainment, hair and make up, and your wedding planner of course! If you’re flying in a trusted wedding photographer you’ll have to cover their travel and hotel costs and expenses. Flying in a wedding band (and their equipment) will add a significant amount to your budget, but having a packed out dance floor and amazing covers of all your favourite Ed Sheeran songs might be worth it!

On the other hand, who needs Ed Sheeran when you could have the authentic sounds of Italian love songs as a background for your romantic evening reception?

The “ooh I hadn’t thought of that!” things that can make a destination wedding more expensive

I think this paragraph proves just how invaluable an expert destination wedding planner can be!  I wonder how many nearlyweds forget to factor in costs for guest transport (hiring a coach for guests to travel from their hotels to that gorgeous villa on the hillside). Or how often couples realise that a welcome bag for guests is more than an optional extra: it’s a lovely and important gesture to show your guests how grateful you are they’ve travelled to be there with you on your wedding day.

Even the little things will add up: in my wedding stationery business I’ve advised couples on alternatives to traditional table plans for a wedding in Europe (because a table plan will not travel safely in your Dad’s suitcase!). More importantly, we recommend travelling with a traditional airline (as opposed to a low-cost one) if you’ll be wearing a wedding dress. Find out all about travelling with a wedding dress here.

Every destination wedding is different. We hope this article helps you imagine how yours will look, and what it might cost.

There’s no single answer to the question “are destination weddings cheaper than UK ones”. The fact that every wedding is unique means you can plan a celebration as unique and as weddingy as you’d like!

If you do dream of a wedding in Europe, and you imagine it to look like a classic wedding with all the beautiful styling touches and lots of your favourite people, then I would very strongly recommend you find an excellent wedding planner like Michelle Jacobs to navigate you through all of the planning, and help you have your perfect destination wedding.

Find out more: Destination weddings in Europe with Elegante by Michelle J.

Elegante by Michelle J is a member of English Wedding.