Destination Wedding vs. Traditional Wedding: Cost Breakdown & Insider Tips

Let’s be real: weddings are basically the Super Bowl of spending money. One minute you’re Pinteresting “simple backyard wedding,” and the next you’re knee-deep in quotes that make you wonder if you should’ve just eloped in Vegas.

That’s why more and more couples are asking: Should we do a traditional wedding or ditch the stress and go destination?

I’ve worked and attended a lot of weddings, so let’s break it down with actual numbers, real vibes, and a little bestie honesty.

Destination Wedding vs. Traditional Wedding The Average Cost of a Traditional Wedding

According to The Knot, the average U.S. wedding now rings up around $35,000–$40,000. That’s before the honeymoon. 🙃

Here’s where the money usually goes:

• Venue: $10,000+ (for one night. ONE.)

• Catering: $75–$150 per person (aka $15,000 if you have 100 guests).

• Dress + tux: $2,000–$5,000.

• Flowers + décor: $5,000–$7,000.

• DJ/Band: $2,000–$6,000.

• Photographer: $3,000–$6,000.

• Misc. (cake, invites, favors, etc.): $5,000+.

And suddenly… poof ✨, there goes a down payment on a house.

The Average Cost of a Destination Wedding

Here’s where it gets fun: most all-inclusive destination weddings in the Caribbean can cost $5,000–$15,000 total (depending on your guest list).

That includes:

• Ceremony setup (arches, flowers, seating, officiant).

• Reception (food, drinks, sometimes even cake & DJ).

• A wedding planner/coordinator built right into the resort team.

• Honeymoon suite (two birds, one very luxurious stone).

• Bonus: many resorts (like Sandals & Beaches) offer free wedding packages if you stay a certain number of nights.

  
  

Biggest money saver: guest list. Most couples take 20 to 40 guests instead of 200. So you’re sipping champagne instead of feeding your cousin’s new slightly unhinged boyfriend who you’ve never met.

The Vibe Factor

• Traditional Wedding: Big production, lots of family politics, incredible if you love being the star of a giant event. Stress levels: high.

• Destination Wedding: Smaller, more intimate, often multiple days of fun instead of just one. Stress levels: low (resort does the heavy lifting).

  
  

My Personal Tips

When considering a Destination Wedding vs. Traditional Wedding here's what I like to focus on:

1. Guest experience. Yes, you’ll save money, but guests do pay for their travel. The upside: they get a vacation out of it.

2. Plan early. For destination weddings, I recommend at least 12–15 months lead time for best room availability.

3. Don’t DIY. Resorts already include planners, florals, menus, and music. Use them!! and keep your sanity.

4. Upgrade strategically. Spend on photography (those pics live forever), skip the $2,000 chair sashes.

5. Honeymoon hack. Extend your stay. Start with the wedding package, then slide right into honeymoon mode without repacking a thing.

   
   

If you love tradition, want the big guest list, and don’t mind the $$$, a traditional wedding delivers that classic experience.

If you value intimacy, adventure, and a smaller tab, destination weddings give you luxury and memories without the sticker shock.

And let’s be honest... wouldn’t you rather be clinking champagne glasses on a Caribbean beach than stressing over whether your aunt’s gluten-free meal got lost in the catering order?

Ready to figure out if a destination wedding is right for you? Let me be your travel-planning bestie. I’ll handle the details, you handle practicing the first dance. Fill out my quote form or schedule a call to talk through the details