A beautiful sunrise at a luxurious spa resort at Rishikesh, picturesque beaches at Andaman and Nicobar Islands, or a sunset at the sand dunes of Jaisalmer. These are not just holiday destinations anymore. Young couples who don’t mind spending a a few lakhs more want to head to scenic locales with close friends and family to tie the knot in an intimate setting.
But destination weddings are a costly affair. It’s not just your hotel room rates…you’ve got to think of your entourage, their boarding and lodging expenses, the décor, guest count, food, beverage, and cuisine….all of this for festivities that typically last for a week.
“Though average spending can vary, a ballpark figure suggests that couples allocate approximately 20-25 percent more to destination weddings than traditional ones, given the travel and accommodation costs,” says Manya Singh, Co-Founder, Weddingplz.com, a wedding vendor search portal.
Also read: Meet the millennials who insist on footing their own wedding bills
Moneycontrol spoke to wedding planners and experts to get some hacks to keep the costs to under Rs 50 lakh for a destination wedding.
Choose an off-beat destination
The first thing to decide is the type of venue for a destination wedding.
Destination wedding trends are fast evolving. “From intimate and exotic locales it’s moving beyond traditional beach resorts to venues such as private villas and culturally rich cities,” says Parveen Chander, Executive Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Indian Hotels Company Ltd. India's wedding landscape is witnessing a shift with emerging destinations gaining traction alongside established favourites, he adds. Goa, Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Mussoorie and Kerela continue to be favourites.
“However, now Alwar, Dehradun, Jim Corbett, Rishikesh, Nainital, Shimla, etc, are becoming hot off-beat destinations for a destination wedding within Rs 50 lakh budget,” says Sumathy Bachchan, owner of Wedding Sutras, a wedding planning firm. She adds that smaller resorts are coming up with lucrative all-inclusive packages for intimate weddings.
Also read: Marry Now, Pay Later? Why Wedding Loans Are Not a Match Made In Heaven
The estimated cost range for a destination wedding of 100-200 guests at a Tree House resort in Jaipur is Rs 32-40 lakh, while The Leela Group of hotels in East Delhi and Gandhinagar will cost Rs 45-60 lakh (see table).
“Zero down on a destination which is closer to your residing city so that commuting becomes easier and approachable,” says Bachchan. Make sure that your destination is accessible easily via air, road and railway.
Steps to search for a wedding destination
To search the destination within your budget, you can register on wedding planning platforms which provide a tailored search option. “Such platforms allow you to filter venues based on your budget,” says Anam Zubair, Head of Marketing at WeddingWire India. She adds you can specify your budget range, preferred location, and desired services to narrow down options that align with your financial plan. Gain from partnerships these platforms have with reputed venues that suit your budget without compromising on quality and luxury.
Planning a destination wedding under Rs 50 lakh also rules out overseas destinations. But given the wide variety of options within India, that isn't a concern with couples and planners alike. India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, too, nudged the GenZ and the millennial in his November 'Mann Ki Baat' radio address to host weddings in India and try and avoid foreign destinations.
Also read: How to accumulate gold for your children's wedding
“Access reviews and ratings from couples who have hosted weddings at different venues. This aids in decision-making and understanding the value for money that various locations can offer,” says Zubair.
Nowadays, reputed hotels have special websites which help couples organise destination weddings. For instance, Marriott Hotels operates Shaadi By Marriott, which is a one-stop solution for destination wedding services with exotic venues, cuisines, beauty rituals, décor, etc.
Also read: How to choose a good wedding planner
“Alternately, you can simply go to a wedding planner, share your budget and mention the priorities and the planner can chart out the best wedding destination plan for you,” says Vikaas Gutgutia, Founder & MD, FNP Weddings.
Make an estimated cost sheet of expenses
Estimating the cost breakdown for a destination wedding can vary widely based on several factors, like location, guest count, duration of the celebration, and the specific services desired. For instance, the estimated cost for the venue, accommodation and catering can be 45 percent of the total budget, travelling expenses of families and guests to the destination wedding venue can be 10 percent of the total budget, and photography and video costs can be 5 percent of the total budget, etc (see table).
“It's essential to note that these percentages can fluctuate based on preferences, priorities, and the specific demands of the couple,” says Zubair. Some may prioritise photography or entertainment over decor, while others might focus more on the venue and accommodation. The overall cost breakdown varies significantly based on personal choices and the scale of the wedding.
Also read: Should couples manage their finances separately or jointly?
Optimise the guest list to align with the budget. “Leverage local resources in off-beat destinations for cost-effective solutions and factor in legal and logistical considerations associated with the chosen location,” says Gutgutia. For instance, this might include permits for beach weddings, heritage sites, or even noise ordinances.
Optimising Off-Season Dates
While marriages in India often align with auspicious days or 'Muhurat', couples have been open to exploring off-season dates at these exotic destinations and can enjoy substantial cost savings.
“During off-peak seasons, resorts and hotels are often more open to negotiations, offering various discounts and incentives to attract business,” says Singh.
Also read: Planning to save taxes by investing in your spouse's name? That could invite trouble
“The estimated savings by opting for an off-season date for a destination wedding can vary significantly based on the location, venue, and specific offers available,” says Zubair. She adds that choosing an off-season date can potentially save couples anywhere from 10 percent to 30 percent or more on their overall wedding expenses compared to peak season rates.
Monisha Dewan, VP for Sales & Distribution - South Asia, Marriott, says, for instance, if a couple decides to opt for an off-season wedding i.e. between June to August in Goa there would be a lower price difference compared to peak season. It could be anywhere between 10 percent and 20 percent less depending on the hotel and the location.
“The other pattern is weekday and weekend packages. So, if somebody is choosing to do a destination wedding between Friday and Sunday the rates will be higher compared to weekdays i.e. Monday to Thursday,” says Dewan.
“Advance planning can help with significant financial benefits for couples with resort or hotel for a destination wedding,” adds Gutgutia.
Keep the guest list small
Carefully curating the guest list is the trickiest part. Your costs go up as the number of guests goes up. And you have to take care of two families here; the bride’s and the groom’s.
So, keep the guest list minimal if you’re concerned about costs. Venues at destination weddings account for per-member costs for each day.
“Limiting the number of attendees not only contributes to an intimate and personal celebration but also significantly reduces costs associated with accommodation, catering, and overall logistics,” says Gutgutia.
Plan for travel and other expenses
Transportation and local sightseeing are vital aspects of destination weddings and must be included in the budget for a well-rounded financial plan. “Flight or train tickets for the couple, families, and guests can be a significant portion of the overall expenditure, emphasising the need for careful budgeting to avoid unexpected financial strain,” says Gutgutia.
He adds that including local sightseeing activities enhances the wedding experience, allowing couples to offer guests memorable moments beyond the ceremonies. Budgeting for these activities, such as exploring landmarks or enjoying cultural performances, ensures a fulfilling destination wedding experience.
“If vendors such as photographers, decorators, or planners are travelling to the destination, their travel and accommodation expenses should be factored into the budget,” says Zubair.
Have a contingency fund for unforeseen circumstances, especially in destination weddings, where factors like weather, travel delays, or sudden changes in plans can arise. Zubair says, “Considering wedding insurance for destination weddings can be beneficial. It can protect against cancellations, unforeseen circumstances, or vendor mishaps.”
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
