Elopement
In my opinion eloping is the way to go! And its exactly what I did. There was no stress, no one to please and no one else to pay for other then me and my main squeeze. While you may have always dreamed of a big wedding with lots of traditions, eloping has a lot to offer and can make it all about the two of you, the way its meant to be. Let’s face it, at the end of the day the only thing you really care about it having some great photos of the two of you and exchanging some meaningful vows. Spend your money on a great photographer and the dress you really want!
Sasha Popovic / Bora Bora Photographer (www.sashapopovic.com)
Use a Travel Advisor
While it may sound counterintuitive, to save money (and time) on a destination wedding, having a travel advisor is the way to go. They help with everything from scouting resorts and venues to handling travel arrangements for all of your family members, booking flights, answering questions, and almost always offer group discounts!
Go for Green (Instead of Florals)
You’ve already got jaw-dropping scenery, no one will even notice if you’re carrying roses, greenery, or a bouquet of seashells for that matter! By opting out of flowers, and selecting local greenery instead, you’ll save yourself a ton of cash that is better off spent elsewhere. If you’re tying the knot at a resort with wedding packages, florals are often included but check with your resort contact to be certain.
Affordable Dress
I know. The dress is a big deal. But hear me out… Most destination weddings occur in tropical locals such as the Caribbean or Mexico, and in my case Bora Bora, and the hot climate means you don’t want to be sweating in a cumbersome ballgown. Consider a lighter, flowier dress that you don’t spend an arm and a leg on.
Skip the Wedding Favors
Instead of monogrammed napkins or sunglasses and flip flops for your guests, consider allocating those funds to an activity or excursion that everyone may enjoy. The wedding trinkets (while cute in photos) often end up getting trashed or shoved in a closet, whereas travel memories last a lifetime!
Timing is Everything
Skip hosting a wedding over Spring Break, or other popular travel times where the prices rise significantly. Find our when peak season is and try to see if your dream wedding can happen on shoulder season, that the couple of weeks before peak season and after peak season.
Consider Your Guest List
Like local weddings, the cost increases the more people attend. Think hard about inviting your third cousin once removed, or your boss from three jobs ago.
Considering a destination wedding but don’t know where to begin? Check out my post on my own dream wedding in Bora Bora.
