Destination wedding specialists toot the cost benefits of destination weddings but have you ever seen some real numbers? In today’s post, we’d like to share with you what a typical destination wedding package consists of and compare that with what you’d get for the same price for a wedding at home.
You’ll find most destination wedding packages come with almost everything you’ll need to have a dream wedding. Including a honeymoon! Here’s an example from a hotel we recently visited:
A Destination Wedding at the Majestic Colonial
(Note: Prices below are subject to change.)
The Majestic Colonial Wedding Package inclusions:
Just for you:
- Room service included for the couple
- Basket of fruits in your room
- Bottle of champagne in your room (twice during your stay)
For the wedding:
- Bouquet for the bride in tropical flowers
- Boutonniere for the groom in tropical flowers
- Location of your choice: White sand beach, Gazebo or Chapel
- Table arrangement for the ceremony in tropical flowers
- Services of a Civil Judge or Priest
- Simultaneous translation of the ceremony if needed
- Sound system for the ceremony
- Champagne toast after the ceremony for the group
- Beautiful wedding cake for the entire group
For the newlyweds (once you’re married):
- Romantic breakfast in your room
- Candle light romantic dinner for the couple with champagne
- Complimentary massage for the couple and use of the humid area
- Marriage certificate in Spanish and delivery by DHL (2-3 moths)
Total costs for a Dominican Republic destination wedding:
- Price for the Majestic Wedding Package: $1,750.00 US
- Private dinner for 30 guests ($55 US per person + 26% tax) = $2,070.00 US
- Travel Cost for Bride & Groom, 7 night stay = $3,200.00* CND
- Wedding Attire = $1,000 CND
- Miscellaneous costs (invitations, favours, photographer, additional flowers, etc.) = $1,000 CND
Total approx. cost: $7,000
*Junior Suite, All Inclusive Majestic Colonial Toronto to Punta Cana November 13, 2010
As you can see, you can safely budget between $7,000-$10,000 for a gorgeous destination wedding that will create lasting memories and wow your guests. And we’ve only covered the wedding day here – don’t forget you and your guests have an entire week at the resort!
Now that you have an idea of what you’ll get in a destination wedding package and the associated costs, let’s see what can you expect for the same amount for a wedding at home:
A Traditional Wedding at Home
(Note: The Wedding Planning Institute of Canada (WPIC) provides a breakdown of wedding costs as an average percentage of the total wedding budget spent on individual wedding services/accessories. To get the following numbers, we multiplied the budget for our destination wedding ($7,000) with the WPIC’s published percentages.)
- Reception (45%) = $3,150.00
- Photography/Video (10%) = $700.00
- Flowers (10%) = $700.00
- Ceremony (7%) = $490.00
- Entertainment (5%) = $350.00
- Attire (5%) = $350.00
- Cake (2%) = $140.00
- Transportation (2%) = $140.00
- Invitations (2%) = $140.00
- Miscellaneous (12%) = $840.00
Total approx. cost: $7,000
Wow. What a difference of value between what you get for a destination wedding vs. home wedding! If you’re thinking about a winter wedding (November is the new May!) this year and you want to cash in on these current prices, contact a Cyber Maid of Honour at Weddings By Oceans today.
What do you think of these wedding differences, Beachside Brides? If you’re making a case for a destination wedding with your hubby-to-be, send this post to him – both of you (and your guests) will thank us later. 
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As a WPIC destination wedding planner, I strongly advise hiring a destination event specialist. There are many more costs associated with a destination wedding that many couples and their guests will forget about.
Thanks Lindsay for visiting our blog and commenting. It’s always great to hear from industry colleagues!
You are forgetting that the destination wedding includes a honeymoon. Your domestic wedding budget doesn’t seem to include it.