Today on the Good Morning America show they talked about the costs associated with destination weddings for your guests.
On average, $490 per person ($980-$1,000) is spent by guests attending a wedding out-of-state, potentially more at higher-end resort destination locations. Many guests are admitting to going into debt trying to attend these weddings. They simply can’t afford to attend your destination wedding.
Personally, I have had people complain to me about their family or friends planning weddings that require them to spend a lot of money to attend.
The couple’s reasoning: “It will be a like a vacation for you”.
The guest’s reasoning: “I’ll go on a vacation when and where I want, your wedding isn’t a good time for me to spend all this money”.
#realtalk alert
They won’t complain to you. They will complain behind your back.
tips for couples planning a destination wedding
1. Don’t be upset when guests or family cannot attend. It’s not their fault you are planning a wedding far away and they may not have the funds at this moment. If they are that important to you for them to be there, then offer to pay for them.
2. Talk to your family. If everyone is on board with attending your destination wedding, then talk to them about the timing and location. Perhaps plan well in advance so that they know the general costs and can save for it appropriately.
3. Just the two of you. Consider going to a gorgeous resort, just the two of you. Have a beautiful, intimate wedding and a fabulous honeymoon. Then come home with great photos and a video and throw a reception for all your friends and family. You get the best of both worlds.
what do you say?
Are you planning a destination wedding and having pushback from your family and friends?
Do you feel it’s fair to expect everyone to attend your destination wedding?
plan on!
What the etiquette on an officiant. Are they flown out too or do you get a local one?
Depends on the clients. Many clients like to work with a planner that is local to them and then they fly to the destination site. Others work with one that is on location. Depends on the client needs/wants.
I too love destination weddings. They are so good with a different experience.