Multi-currency & travel: How to plan a destination wedding budget
A destination wedding budget covers your travel and accommodation, the venue and catering abroad, legal paperwork and often help with guests' costs. In a worked example, a small destination wedding for 25 guests costs the couple about 9,000, which can be less than a large wedding at home.
By Wealtie Team · 3 min read
Key takeaways
- A destination wedding budget covers travel, the venue abroad, paperwork and sometimes guests' costs.
- In a worked example, a wedding abroad for 25 guests costs the couple about 9,000.
- Smaller guest lists often make destination weddings cheaper than big weddings at home.
- Exchange rates and legal requirements can change costs, so plan early.
How do you plan a destination wedding budget?
Price the wedding itself abroad, add your own travel and stay, and decide what you'll contribute to guests' costs. A destination wedding can be romantic and memorable, and because guest lists tend to be smaller, it can cost less than a big wedding at home. But costs come in different currencies, legal paperwork can add expense, and guests face their own travel costs. Planning early gives you time to compare suppliers and lock in prices.
What does a destination wedding cost?
Here's a worked example for 25 guests, in round numbers that work in any currency:
| Cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| Venue and catering | 4,500 |
| Couple's travel and accommodation | 1,800 |
| Planner and legal paperwork | 1,200 |
| Photos and flowers | 1,000 |
| Welcome dinner | 500 |
| Total | 9,000 |
Your own costs depend on the destination, the season and how many guests attend. Some destinations are much cheaper than home; others cost more. Venues that specialise in weddings for overseas couples often offer all-in packages that make budgeting easier.
What about the legal side?
Rules for marrying abroad vary a lot. Some countries need residency periods, translated documents or official ceremonies, which can add cost and complexity. Many couples marry legally at home with a small ceremony, then hold the celebration abroad. Check the requirements early, through official sources or a local planner. Allow time and money for translating and certifying documents if they're needed.
Wedding planners
A local planner knows suppliers, speaks the language and handles paperwork. It adds cost, but can save money and stress overall, especially if you can't visit beforehand.
Who pays for guests' travel?
Usually guests pay their own travel and accommodation, which is why destination weddings often have smaller guest lists. Being clear about this on the invitation avoids confusion. Some couples contribute, for example by paying for a welcome dinner, transport on the day or the accommodation for close family. Tell guests early, so they can budget. The cost of being a wedding guest shows what guests face.
Give guests options
Suggest accommodation at different prices, and share travel tips. Giving plenty of notice, often a year, helps guests find cheaper flights. A simple website or shared document with travel details saves you answering the same questions many times.
Hidden destination costs
Costs that are easy to miss include excess baggage for outfits and decorations, local taxes and service charges, tips for staff, and transport between the venue and accommodation. Asking your planner or venue for a full list of likely extras helps you build an accurate budget.
How do exchange rates affect the budget?
If you pay suppliers in another currency, the cost in your own money can change between booking and paying. Build a buffer into your budget, and consider paying deposits early if rates are good. Using a card or account with low foreign fees avoids extra charges on each payment. How to budget for a trip abroad covers currency and travel money.
How do you keep a destination wedding affordable?
- Choose a destination where your money goes further
- Travel in shoulder season rather than peak
- Keep the guest list small
- Combine the wedding and honeymoon in one trip
- Choose a venue that includes catering and decorations
- Use local, seasonal flowers and food
Visiting the destination once before booking is costly, but a video call with the venue and planner can often replace it.
The honeymoon budget covers combining the two.
Is a destination wedding cheaper than a wedding at home?
It can be, mainly because of a smaller guest list. A big wedding at home with 120 guests can cost far more than a small celebration abroad. But compare honestly, including your travel, paperwork and any help with guests' costs. Some couples also hold a small party at home afterwards for people who couldn't travel, which adds to the total. The wedding budget helps you price a wedding at home for comparison.
Consider holding a small party at home after the wedding for people who couldn't travel. It can be simple and cheap, like drinks at a local pub or a garden gathering, and it lets everyone celebrate with you without the cost of a trip abroad.
How do you track a destination wedding in Wealtie?
Add accounts in each currency you'll pay in, so costs are recorded in the money you paid, with totals converted into your display currency. Log deposits and payments in an events line in your expense categories. How to use multiple currencies in Wealtie shows how to set this up, and a limit in the budget tracker keeps everyday spending steady while you save.
Questions people ask
In a worked example, about 9,000 for the couple with 25 guests, covering venue, catering, travel, paperwork and extras.
It can be, mainly because guest lists are smaller. Compare the full cost, including travel and paperwork.
Usually guests pay their own travel, though some couples contribute to accommodation or a welcome dinner.
In many countries, yes, though rules vary. Many couples marry legally at home and hold the celebration abroad.
This article is general information, not financial, tax or legal advice. Your situation is your own; check the numbers that apply to you before you act on them.
