Destination Wedding Costs 2025: What To Really Expect

FOUR FACTORS THAT SHAPE YOUR WEDDING BUDGET

Hey gorgeous! Grab your favorite drink (mine’s an oat milk latte… or maybe a spicy marg depending on the time of day wink), because we need to talk about your destination wedding!

I know that sparkly new ring on your finger probably hasn’t stopped catching your eye yet, and your mind is SWIRLING with visions of saying “I do” in the most incredible places. Maybe you’re dreaming of white sand beaches, or perhaps a dramatic ocean front cliffside locale is calling your name? Whatever you’re imagining, I’m here to spill ALL the tea about what this dreamy celebration might actually cost.

(Because let’s be real… budget talks aren’t the most exciting part of wedding planning, but they’re SO important, and I promise to make this as fun as possible!)

Ready to break it down? Here are the factors that’ll shape your destination wedding budget, starting with the biggest decision of all…

PICKING YOUR PERFECT SPOT (aka Where in the World Will You Say I Do?!)

Okay friend, here’s the deal – where you choose to tie the knot is obviously going to impact your budget. Like, getting married in Mexico or the Caribbean? Totally different budget scenario than saying “I do” in Bora Bora (though both are absolutely GORGEOUS, just saying!).

Let’s talk flight costs (because I know your aunt is already asking about this!). I’m going to share some numbers from May 2025, but remember – these are like the weather… always changing!

• Depart From Midwest or East coast to Caribbean or Mexico:  $450-$800
• Depart From Midwest or East coast to Hawaii:  $600-$1600
• Depart From Midwest or East coast to the South Pacific:  $1200-$2500
• Departing From West Coast to the Caribbean or Mexico:  $500-$1000
• Depart From West Coast to Hawaii:  $600-$1600
• Depart From West Coast to the South Pacific:  $1200-$2500 per person

All prices are per person, round trip… because math is hard enough without making it complicated!)

And here’s a little secret between us… you know those super cheap flights you sometimes see? The ones that make you go “OMG WHAT A DEAL!”? Yeah… proceed with caution. They usually come with more drama than a reality TV show – think middle seats, crazy layovers, and arriving so late you miss your welcome party (and nobody wants to miss those signature cocktails!).

Quick timing: December through April is typically when prices are living their best life (aka highest), while May through November can be a bit easier on the wallet. But don’t stress about that just yet – we’ve got more factors to consider, and I’m about to spill ALL the planning secrets…

LET’S TALK RESORTS!

Okay, this is where it gets juicy (and where I’m gonna save you from some major wedding planning headaches!). Pour yourself another drink because we need to chat about where you’ll actually be staying!

First things first – let’s decode some travel lingo (I promise to make this painless!):
• AI = All-Inclusive (aka everything’s included, food, drinks and entertainment!)
• EP = European Plan (fancy talk for pay-as-you-go)

All-inclusive usually gives you WAY more bang for your buck for wedding groups. Like, imagine not having to worry about your uncle Bob running up a massive bar tab! 😅

Now, let’s talk about your love nest (aka your room situation)…

Here’s what you can expect to pay for 4 nights (and trust me, I’m only talking about the good stuff – no sketchy resorts here, we’re 4-stars and up!):

LUXURY ADULT-ONLY RESORTS (because sometimes you just need a kid-free zone!)

• Deluxe Room: $1,500-$3,500
(Perfect if you’re saving your splurge money for the honeymoon!)

• Suite Life: $4,000-$8,000
(Living your best life with extra space to spread out)

• Butler Service: $8,000-$11,000
(For when you want to feel like actual royalty)

• Ultimate Luxury: $16,000-$25,000
(Think overwater bungalows and Four Seasons-level fancy… because sometimes you just need to be EXTRA!)

But wait… here comes my favorite part (drumroll please! 🥁)

THE BEST NEWS EVER: Your wedding group can actually score you some AMAZING perks! We’re talking free nights, room upgrades, and sometimes even parts of your wedding totally comped! (Yes, you read that right!)

Quick reality check: Most of your guests will stay 3-7 nights, with most picking 4-5 days. It really depends on their budget and how long they want to extend their vacay (and trust me, once they see the resort, they’ll wish they booked longer!).

Pro tip: When you’re browsing room options, remember that upgrading from a standard room to something fancy (like a swim-up suite) will bump up your price. For example, if resort A is offering a standard room for $1,500, that dreamy swim-up suite might be more like $2,000. But honestly? Sometimes that upgrade is SO worth it for the perfect wedding photos!

Want to know my insider secrets for maximizing these perks? Keep reading, because I’ve got ALL the tips coming up.

WEDDING PACKAGES & DECOR (AKA THE FUN STUFF!)

Let’s dive into the pretty details that’ll make your day absolutely incredible!

The good news? Those gorgeous resorts we’ve been crushing on come with some seriously amazing wedding packages. We’re talking the whole enchilada:
• That dreamy ceremony spot
• Music to set the mood
• Perfect lighting (because nobody wants bad wedding pics!)
• Cocktail hour vibes
• All the beautiful decor
• Your dream wedding cake
• Reception space that’ll make your guests’ jaws drop
• Entertainment to keep the party going
• Delicious food & drink menus
• Open bar (because… obviously! 💃)

Okay, here’s a little secret that most people don’t know (and resorts won’t always tell you)…

You’ve got to make sure your wedding group is set up juuust right to score all those amazing perks and free nights. And between us? Booking directly with resorts can sometimes mean missing out on some serious perks – they’re not always super motivated to share all the goodies you could qualify for.

That’s exactly why working with a destination wedding specialist (hi! 👋) makes such a difference. We know all the insider tricks to make sure you’re earning every single thing you deserve. Because who doesn’t want free stuff for their wedding?!

Want to know what specific perks you could qualify for? Let’s chat…

LET’S GET THIS PARTY STARTED! (GROUP ACTIVITIES & ADVENTURES)

Because your wedding celebration doesn’t have to be just ONE day…

Want to know one of my favorite ways to make your destination wedding absolutely unforgettable? Get your guests together for amazing group activities! Nothing bonds people quite like zip-lining through the jungle or sipping rum at a tasting (and watching your shy cousin finally break out of their shell 😉).

Some crowd favorites:
• ATV adventures
• Chasing waterfalls
• Getting zen in hot mud baths
• Local village shopping trips
• Zip-lining through paradise
• Golf (for the early birds)
• Rum tasting (for the fun birds!)
• Scuba & snorkeling
• Swimming with dolphins

Quick planning tip: With wedding groups, booking these adventures in advance is KEY. Trust me on this one!

Now, let’s get real for a second…

You know that saying “you get what you pay for”? It’s especially true with excursions. Those super cheap tours you might find? Usually come with a side of sketchy, and that’s not the vibe we’re going for on your wedding week!

We’re all about licensed, insured, and totally legit tour companies that’ll give you those incredible experiences (without the worry). Expect to invest about $120+ per person for the good stuff, depending on what you choose. Private tours will cost more, but sometimes that extra privacy is totally worth it!

Want the safest, most reliable options? We’ve got you covered with our trusted partners at Viator. They’re not always the cheapest, but they’re always the best – because your wedding week memories should be about amazing adventures, not sketchy situations!

Let’s Wrap This Up With Some Real Talk…

You know what I love most about destination weddings? They can be whatever YOUR heart desires! Whether you’re dreaming of an intimate ceremony with just your closest people or a week-long celebration that feels like the best vacation ever – it’s all possible without completely emptying your bank account.

The secret? (And this is something I tell all my couples…)
It’s about knowing where to splurge and where to save. Some things will totally transform your experience, while others? Not so much. And that’s exactly where having someone in your corner makes all the difference.

Feeling a bit overwhelmed trying to figure all this out? (Trust me, I get it!) Or maybe you’re just stuck on where to start?

Schedule a free destination wedding consultation with us today, and we’ll help you turn all these possibilities into an actual plan. Because planning your destination wedding should feel exciting, not exhausting!

Ready to start creating your perfect celebration in paradise? ✨

(And PS – Thanks for hanging out with me while we broke all this down! Destination weddings are kind of my love language, if you couldn’t tell! 😉