How much does a destination wedding actually cost?

Most couples land between $25,000 and $60,000 for 30 to 60 guests. Resort packages advertise around $8,000, but welcome dinners, transport and excursions push the real number well past that.

Do destination weddings save money?

Sometimes. A shorter guest list usually costs less than 150 people at home, though flights, vendor lodging and extra events can eat the savings.

How far in advance should I plan a destination wedding?

Twelve to fourteen months. Save-the-dates go out nine to twelve months ahead so guests can book flights and request time off.

Should I hire a local planner or use the resort coordinator?

Resort coordinators handle resort weddings well. Anywhere off-resort, hire a local planner. Language, local customs and vendor relationships are worth the fee.

Is EverVow a one-time purchase?

Yes. One payment gives you lifetime access, with plans starting at $49. There are no subscriptions, renewals, or hidden fees.

What can I plan with EverVow?

Everything in one place: your guest list and RSVPs, budget, seating charts, vendors, gift registry, honeymoon, and your full planning timeline, plus a public wedding website for your guests.

Does EverVow include an AI planner?

Yes. An AI co-planner is built throughout the app. It can generate checklists, draft timelines, compare vendors, suggest honeymoon destinations, and help arrange seating.

Can my guests RSVP online?

Yes. Each guest gets a simple, mobile-friendly RSVP page where they confirm attendance, meal choices, and dietary needs. Responses show up on your guest list automatically.

Destination Weddings

Destination Wedding Planning: A Practical 2026 Guide

2026-05-13

Destination weddings photograph like they planned themselves. The real version involves paperwork, flight prices and a guest list that shrinks. Here's what to expect.

Updated May 2026
Legal + logistics
Guest-side honest

Pick the country before you pick the venue

The country decides most of what follows: legal requirements, whether guests need visas, what the currency does to your budget, and when the weather turns. Mexico, the Caribbean, Italy and Greece stay popular because the legal side is either simple or handled by the resort. Somewhere less touristed can be beautiful and still cost you weeks of paperwork.

Get the legal paperwork right

Plenty of couples sign the license at home a few days early and treat the ceremony abroad as the real one. It's cheaper and it skips translated affidavits, residency rules and apostilles.

If you want the marriage abroad to be legally binding, plan for certified birth certificates, single-status affidavits, translated and apostilled documents, and anywhere from two to seven days of in-country residency before the ceremony. Start six months out. Six weeks is not enough.

Be honest about what it costs your guests

You're asking people for $1,500 to $4,000 each plus a week of vacation days. Yes rates usually land around 50 to 70 percent instead of the 80-plus you'd see at home. Send save-the-dates nine to twelve months out, give hotel options at three price levels, and let people decline without a follow-up conversation about it.

Three kinds of venue

All-inclusive resort. The easy route. Vendors and packages come with it, which means less stress and less of your own taste in the room.
Boutique villa or private estate. Privacy and character, but you hire every vendor yourself.
Restaurant or vineyard buyout. Food and atmosphere are handled. You bring flowers and music.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a destination wedding actually cost?: Most couples land between $25,000 and $60,000 for 30 to 60 guests. Resort packages advertise around $8,000, but welcome dinners, transport and excursions push the real number well past that.
Do destination weddings save money?: Sometimes. A shorter guest list usually costs less than 150 people at home, though flights, vendor lodging and extra events can eat the savings.
How far in advance should I plan a destination wedding?: Twelve to fourteen months. Save-the-dates go out nine to twelve months ahead so guests can book flights and request time off.
Should I hire a local planner or use the resort coordinator?: Resort coordinators handle resort weddings well. Anywhere off-resort, hire a local planner. Language, local customs and vendor relationships are worth the fee.

Plan your destination wedding in one place

Keep international vendors, guest travel and your honeymoon itinerary in the same place, from save-the-date to send-off.

Start your destination plan