Imagine escaping to a tropical paradise to get married in a attractive setting at a stunning resort. Sounds luxurious right? Well the truth is that you could save a lot compared to getting married locally. In this article we’ll explain how a destination wedding can save you money.

Fewer Guests = Lower Costs
Normally, wedding costs are directly related to the number of guests in attendance. More guests equals more money spent on food, beverage, chair and linen rentals, favors… you get the idea. The beauty of a destination wedding is that the distance will automatically limit the number of guests who will be able to attend. Some guests just won’t be able to make the journey. It’s also easier to limit your guest list to close friends and family for a destination wedding without feeling like you are snubbing uninvited guests. For the bride who wants a big wedding with all of her friends and extended family, a destination wedding could be a deal breaker. But for the couple looking to keep their wedding costs low, this is an easy way to keep your guest list in check.

Have an Wonderful Wedding and Honeymoon—All in One Place
Planning a wedding and a honeymoon can be awe-inspiring. There are so many details to figure out for each event that it can get overwhelming. But if you honeymoon in the same location as your destination wedding, it’s more like planning one big event. Many resorts have all-inclusive wedding packages, and can provide all of the services you’ll need for the ceremony and treatment. Having the resort handle these services mean you’ll only have to deal with one supplier—the resort—as opposed to hiring each service separately and dealing with many different people. Resort staff are usually very knowledgeable and experienced (they do this all the time) so they can do most of the hard work for you. Not only will this reduce the amount of stress in your life, but it could also help you cut your overall wedding costs.

Some resorts also offer deals, like “Book your wedding with us and get a 5 nights stay.” Even if this type of deal is not offered, ask if they can offer a discounted room rate or other incentives. They want your business after all, so they may be able to do something for you.

If you’re planning a destination wedding, here are a few tips to remember:

• Pick the all-inclusive wedding package if your resort offers one
  An all-inclusive package will almost always be more affordable than piecing together a custom wedding. The resorts put these packages together to maximize efficiency, which means lower costs for them, and for you.
• Choose a location that is accessible for your guests
  Getting married in an unusual locale can be wonderful, but if getting there is a pain, your guests wont enjoy themselves. Try to choose a location that is close to transportation routes, and organize transportation to and from the ceremony/reception if possible.
• Get officially married before you leave.
  Every country has different rules and regulations pertaining to marriage licenses, so the safest bet is to get it all sorted out before you leave home. That way your wedding ceremony becomes just that—ceremonial. All of the legal stuff has already been taken care of, so you can just enjoy your big day without having to worry.
• Get married in the off-season.
  Many destinations have a busy season and an off season. Pick the off season for your wedding and you can usually save a bundle.

A destination wedding is not for everyone, but for the savvy bride and groom it can be a great way to get away and save money in the process.