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We originally looked into Destination weddings. And if you go with a place that is all-inclusive it can be REALLY inexpensive because the food is already included. We were looking at about 65 guest and we had cost of about $4500. So I'm thinking about $6K should be PLENTY for 80 guest!
Wow, really? Thanks a ton, Donnica22! That a great starting point for my research!
I am having a DW at Breezes bahamas. We are only having 8 guests so we went with the free package (when u stay there 7 nights) but they have TONS of packages you can upgrade to. Its an all inclusive resort so most stuff is already included but the upgrades include photog and private rooms for the reception
Just a note that I think the 70% acceptance rate is more for local weddings. Please realize that for destination weddings it could be way way way lower, and don't think that if you only get 25% it is unusual or something.
We're having a DW in Ocho Rios Jamaica with approx 45 guests, and our budget was $10000, wich we've sort of jumped up to $12000. We decided to upgrade a ton of things, including the reception @ $50/head, and I'm paying for all the hair and makeup for all of my girls and both of our mothers (~$1000) and we upgraded the photography package (~$1400).
It really depends on what you want to spend your money on, we def' could have done it for cheaper, but we have the means, so we decided to upgrade a bunch of things.
Thanks guys!
Does this budget estimate include flight & stay for the bride & groom? Or is it just the ceremony + reception?
For me, that was flights, hotel at the resort for FI and I as well (which was about $3400 for 10 days in a Suite)
it all depends i thought it was going to be less but its still over than what i would pay in ny the only reason its less is because less people show. Im having 25-30 pple at the ritz in grand cayman and the budget is 20k not including photo dress makeup etc etc. basically jsut for food ceremony dj . IF any more than 30 people attend i might cry at this point.
Not sure about the Bahamas but I know the DR is right on par with the prices we are paying in Mexico. Dinner per person was $60 including drinks and then the ceremony was about $1500. Some hotels if you have enough people book with your group will give you a free ceremony package.
And Corgi is right about the acceptance rate. 25-30% is more typical for a destination wedding.
I'm getting married in the DR and although I selected an all inclusive hotel for the guests, unfortunately, food and beverages were not included for private receptions where you take over one of the a la carte restaurants (still prob going to be about $100/head), so I would make sure to ask the hotel.
We'e getting married at an all- inclusive in Jamaica. Since we aren't expecting more than 10 guests, we're also doing the free package (ceremony, decor, cwedding cake, etc). We're only paying extra for an upgraded bridal bouquet, pictures, cocktail hour, and upgraded champagne. Everything is about $4500. That does not include my dress, my hair and accessories, his outfit and ring.
We got married in the DR, and with 15 people the total cost of the wedding/ceremony/honeymoon package was $2500. Flights and 8 day hotel package for us was an additional $2k.
Ok we invited 90 guests for a Key West Wedding and our budget was 20K ummmm now we are at 31k...ugh. We are doing almost everything ourselves too, but everything adds up fast. My dress was 1200 and a sample. Photography we splurged on b/c she is just simply amazing.
We were hoping for 70% but are more likely to have 80%...which means more money! Woohoo. Things we never factored in originally was shipping everything there...the candy buffet...the centerpieces...the favors...
Happy Planning!!
Definitely getting married at a hotel that offers wedding packages. This can be a bit more expensive, but so worth is as far as planning goes. Also, just a heads up...if you plan to spend your honeymoon in the same location as the DW, be prepared for your guests to want to spend your honeymoon with you. Maybe that isnt a problem at all, just depends on the person/people. For me, I didnt like having to share my honeymoon with 20 people. Maybe it would help if everyone had an idea of how much time you plan on spending with them beforehand? Again, maybe its not even an issue, I just wish someone would have warned me =)
Better yet, just tell everyone you'll throw their party when you get back and elope! That's what we're doing in Costa Rica. Instead of going through the resort and their insanely priced packages, we hired the lawyer/officiant, photographer and florist for a whopping $1200 total. Just us and a quiet spot on the beach - who else really needs to be there?
We spent 10 000$ on our wedding, including my dress, his suit, my e-ring, our wedding bands, officiant fee, translation fees, ceremony and reception (14 guests), honeymoon (2 weeks)... You get the point - all was covered.
We went to a 5* all-inclusive resort in the Dominican, and chose the free wedding package, to which we made a few upgrades.
If I remember correctly, I *think* that for 50 guests, the package was around 2500.. ? Which included ceremony, flowers, champagne, cake, reception dinner, music, and many more perks.
If you already know you want to go to the Dominica Republic, I recommend you research different hotels that interest you and look into their wedding packages.
@SarahJane79: Another elopement here. $8000 budget for flying to a central american destination, ceremony, photography, dress, rings civil marriage fees, taxes, parking fees..etc.
i think DWs can cost anywhere from $5000 to $30 000. it depends how and where you do it. my budget was started at $5000 because i thought i just had to pay the all inclusive package for 2 people and a small wedding package. well soon after my budget got bumped to $10 000 when i started factoring in things like dress, photographers, private reception, etc etc. which was fine. i was fine with a $10 000 budget, i just hadn't anticipated all the extras. and then somewhere along the way we went over by about $3000! so my wedding is now around $13000. and money is tight now, but i know i can manage and its worth it for me. i splurged on things here and there, decided to do a TTD, and LOTS of little things added up that i hadn't thought about before planning and deciding on budget. however, a lot of these things were not "necessary" and i wanted to basically bring a lot of "traditional" elements to my destination. i am packing an extra suitcase full of stuff actually from centerpieces to guest book to BM bouquets to god knows what!. i also got carried away with my welcome bags. i have 19 people total. even with my wedding in the location i picked, it COULD have easily been done for $10 0000 or less. if i could go back in time, i would not have bought ALL the extras to save a few bucks (i went a little nutsy on the Knot wedding shop!), but i am still ok and able to manage. i am prioritizing a little more now as i get closer.
We're getting married in the French Riviera with a budget of about 40k for about 50 guests +/-. Our biggest cost is the reception which FI will pay for because he currently lives in the Netherlands and he will pay it with euros rather than us losing on my dollars after converting them to euros. The remainder will go towards a meet and greet cruise to Monaco, rehearsal dinner, photography, video, flights, lodging, and honeymoon. I will also be helping my sister who has a family of 6 and this would be a huge expense for her.
I do plan on DIY'ing some things because we're renting a huge house for the week which will be wedding central! This cuts down the cost of lodging for the week significantly. $300 per person for the week which includes food!
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Hey All,
I wanted to check here first - I'm trying to figure out what our budget will be, and I'd like to do that backwards ;)
I'd like my wedding in either Dominican Republic or Bahamas. I'd like to invite about 80 people (knowing that the actual rate of attendance is 70%).
How much do you think I should budget for (just for ceremony and reception)?
Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!