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Devoted May 2023

Destination Wedding

Ebony, on March 12, 2022 at 11:01 AM Posted in Planning 13 54
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Hello everyone!!


So yesterday I was thinking about ideas for my wedding (June 2023). Even though I had a venue in mind I still wanted to have options. So, for some reason I started thinking about a destination wedding. I didn’t know where we were going or how much it was going to cost, so I started doing research. Did you know that in the year or 2021 domestic weddings averaged $34,000 and a destination wedding in 2021 averaged $5,420!! Once I seen that, I felt this was the right thing to do. I started looking into different planners and places to go and I kind of have a place in mind but I’m not sure. Unfortunately I can’t go to a country that requires a passport because some of my family are not eligible to get one. But I did find beautiful islands that are apart of US, which was great. But anyways, my question to you all is…..How do you feel about destination weddings!!?? Any tips, advice, ideas, suggestions, or concerns??? I’ll take everything you all throw at me! Thank you in advance.tenor.gif

54 Comments

Latest activity by Ebony, on March 23, 2022 at 10:02 AM
  • L
    Super August 2023
    Lunajay ·
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    I Love destination weddings Smiley heart My planned elopement is starting to turn into one thanks to family member that want to be apart of our day. I will say somethings are hard to plan out of state, like what to do with my hair and finding caterers or doing tasting.

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  • E
    Devoted May 2023
    Ebony ·
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    That’s what I was worried about as well. But most destinations wedding packages comes with things like that included.
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  • Jm Sunshine
    Jm Sunshine ·
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    Destination weddings can be cheaper for the couple but certainly aren't for your guests (keep in mind you will also need to factor in airfare/hotel/transportation costs for your ownselves which will add $1000s to the cost of a DW and there are many "hidden fees"). You might want to be sure before you put down a deposit on a venue that those nearest and dearest to you are willing/able to attend.
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  • E
    Devoted May 2023
    Ebony ·
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    Yes I have kept that in mind. Which is one of the main reasons we are considering a destination wedding. We will only have about 10-15 guest, who are the closest and dearest to us💯But I refuse to share such a personal and intimate day with people who may not truly support us. So I know the ones who can make it, are the ones who deserve to be there. And if they can’t we were thinking about doing something small once we got back home.
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  • Sarah
    Master September 2019
    Sarah ·
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    The reasons that destination weddings are usually cheaper is because a. Guest lists are smaller on average and b. The guests are paying a substantial amount of money to the resort so the resort lowers the package costs. A lot of destination wedding packages also include only the bare minimum for things like photography, videography and florals which can take up a huge chunk of budgets here. For example, my friend who had a DW only had her photographer for 2 hours vs the 8+ hours I had my photographer for. She could only pick from a handful of floral arrangements and I sat and designed all my bouquets with my florist to my/my bridesmaids likes/what would fit with our colors.
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  • E
    Devoted May 2023
    Ebony ·
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    And that’s the thing, the person package deal I was looking into doesn’t look like a hotel or anything is included. But I did find flight and hotel bundle deals. I’m new to everything, I’m confused with a lot of things 😂
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  • Caitlin
    Devoted January 2023
    Caitlin ·
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    I think it really depends on where you go, the venue, and what all you're choosing to do. Our destination wedding is looking closer to the domestic average honestly

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  • E
    Devoted May 2023
    Ebony ·
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    Oh wow. Maybe you’re adding to many unnecessary arrangements/addons.
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  • Hanna
    VIP June 2019
    Hanna ·
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    As a guest, I'm not a fan of destination weddings. Depending on the location, they can be expensive to attend and overall a huge hassle. Unless I'm very close to the couple, I generally decline invitations to destination weddings. Most of the destination weddings I've attended have been either on par with or more expensive than the average domestic wedding.

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  • E
    Devoted May 2023
    Ebony ·
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    Him and I are looking into a rental home. Way less expensive then a hotel. There’s no reason to have a destination wedding if you’re going to invite more then 10-15 ppl in my eyes. That’s where people go wrong.
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  • Cece
    Master October 2023
    Cece ·
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    Ditto. Our destination wedding of 40 people is costing over $10,000 more than the “domestic average” I think there are a lot more costs that aren’t factored into that destination wedding average cost.
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  • Caitlin
    Devoted January 2023
    Caitlin ·
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    Nope! Just doing the things that we want and that are important to us Smiley smile That's why I say really just depends on locale and what you want to do.

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  • Caitlin
    Devoted January 2023
    Caitlin ·
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    Yup 100%. Your own travel, accommodations, shipping costs and checking bags, wedding insurance.... There are just some different fees than where we're located!! But it's all fine as long as you go into it prepared for those to pop up. Get to have our dream weddings in our dream locales Smiley smile

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  • Cece
    Master October 2023
    Cece ·
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    Yes! And then there is the expectation that you host your guests at a higher level in order to offset some of the costs that they have had to shell out (like hosting/paying for welcome bags, a welcome dinner, a thank you brunch, a local activity, etc.). It all adds up super fast- and before you know it, you’re spending just as much, or more, than a local wedding!
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  • E
    Devoted May 2023
    Ebony ·
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    I refuse to have a destination wedding with that many people 😂it’s defeating the purpose. *just how I feel*
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  • E
    Devoted May 2023
    Ebony ·
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    Well good thing I’m not going with “traditional”. A lot of what you just said seems a bit unnecessary to me😂🤷🏾‍♀️I’m sorry but paying for your own food and things like that is the least you can do if we’re paying for the ceremony and things like that. Because for our reception we were just thinking a restaurant on the beach.


    Which is again why we’re having 10-15 ppl. Anymore then that we could just stay home.
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  • E
    Devoted May 2023
    Ebony ·
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    And I’m happy the things we want aren’t as expensive and you and your soon to be hubby ☺️
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  • Jm Sunshine
    Jm Sunshine ·
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    For someone who asked for any tips, concerns, advice and suggestions, you have been quite judgmental, not open-minded and have shut everyone down. You obviously know what you want/don't want. Best wishes!
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  • E
    Devoted May 2023
    Ebony ·
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    I’m not shutting down or being judgmental. I like that I can go back and forth with these ladies. They actually have me thinking a lot to see what I can cut out and what I don’t really need. Like I said “a lot seem unnecessary, but that’s my opinion.”


    Move along and good luck with your wedding 🙏
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  • Cece
    Master October 2023
    Cece ·
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    I don’t think any of this is considered “traditional”, as destination weddings themselves are not traditional. It’s just a matter of etiquette and good hosting.
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