Money Saving Tips When Planning a Destination Wedding

Destination weddings are steadily growing in popularity amongst brides and grooms of all ages, especially those planning small intimate celebrations. This may be in part due to the misconception that the cost of hosting a wedding abroad is cheaper, and that a couple’s budget will stretch further. When the price of travel, accommodation and transport of wedding attire are factored in the total can become out of control. Below are some money saving tips that can help keep your wedding budget reasonable.

1. Set a budget

One of the best ways to save money when planning a destination wedding is to create a budget at the outset before anything is purchased or rented for the wedding. Set aside a specific amount of money to cover the cost of the various aspects of the event. By keeping track of your expenses, you will be able to see where you are able to save money and where you can splurge. This will allow you to keep your finances under control and make the best use of your available resources.

2. Hire a wedding planner

This may appear to be adding an extra cost to the final bill but hiring a wedding planner, especially for a destination wedding is definitely worth it. An experienced planner can recommend cost-saving options and help you stay on budget without compromising your vision as they often have access to exclusive discounts or established relationships from vendors and venues. Therefore, with the help of a wedding planner Lake Como, the dream of an exclusive wedding in Italy can become a reality.

3. All-inclusive packages

In order to save money when booking a wedding venue, seek out those that offer all-inclusive wedding packages. They offer accommodation for the bridal party and guests in addition to providing you with everything you need to host the wedding in one location. This includes everything from tables and chairs to caterers and equipment rentals. This will ensure that you won’t have to hire additional vendors to provide these items, which can significantly reduce the overall cost of your wedding.

4. Plan off-peak

It goes without saying that by avoid the peak wedding season in the summer months you are more likely to find better deals when it comes to hiring a wedding venue. Consider an autumn or winter wedding, depending on your destination it is likely that the weather will still be mild. Getting married mid-week is also a more economical choice that at the weekend. Contact locations and negotiate to get the best price possible.

5. Choose a relaxed meal option

Another way to save money on your destination wedding is to keep catering costs down. One way to accomplish this is to choose a local restaurant for your guests to dine at. This will help to lower costs for guests. The opportunity to dine at a local authentic restaurant will add to the experience. A barbeque or a fancy brunch style meal are also great alternative options. If you prefer the traditional approach, you can also opt for buffet-style meals instead of sit-down dinners, which will save you additional money.

Finally, if you plan to have alcohol at your wedding, it is a good idea to serve drinks instead of having an open bar. This way, you will keep expenses to a minimum while still providing an enjoyable experience for everyone in attendance.

6. Hire locally

Another great way to save money when planning a destination wedding is to hire professionals such as photographer, videographers and musicians from the destination you are getting married in. This will avoid the need to pay travel expenses in addition to the cost of hiring him or her. By hiring professionals who specialize in weddings in your chosen region you will save money and they will have plenty of knowledge and experience.