Destination weddings have a reputation problem. Some couples assume they are automatically cheaper than a wedding at home. Others think they are only for ultra-luxury budgets with fireworks, five outfit changes and a guest list flown in first class.
The truth? A destination wedding does not have one price tag. It has tiers. And the final cost has far more to do with how you celebrate than where you celebrate.
From intimate, beautifully simple ceremonies to multi-day, all-out experiences, here is what destination weddings really cost and what your money actually gets you.
First things first: what actually determines the cost?
Before talking numbers, it is important to understand what impacts the budget of a destination wedding most:
- Guest count
- Number of events (one day versus multiple days)
- Styling level (included versus custom)
- Entertainment
- Length of the celebration
- What is included in venue packages versus added on
- A 50-guest wedding with one event will look very different, and cost very differently, to a 100-guest, three-day celebration, even if they are in the same destination.
The classic Destination Wedding
Approx. under $30,000 for around 50 guests
Despite the name, there is nothing unfinished about this style of wedding.
An understated destination wedding simply means covering the essentials and doing them well, without layering on extra events or custom builds.
This style is ideal for couples who want:
- A relaxed celebration
- A stunning location
- A clear, streamlined plan
- One unforgettable wedding day
What is typically included:
- Ceremony and reception venue
- Celebrant
- Photographer
- Hair and makeup
- Reception music (DJ or curated playlist)
- Basic styling included in the venue’s wedding package
- Food and drinks for the wedding day
What is not usually included:
- Welcome parties or recovery events
- Custom floral installs or elaborate décor
- Fireworks or large-scale entertainment
- Multi-day celebrations
For many couples, this feels like the perfect balance. A classic wedding experience, just set somewhere spectacular.
The “Create an Experience” Destination Wedding
Approx. $50,000–$60,000 for 50–70 guests
This is where destination weddings really shine.
Rather than being just one day, the wedding becomes an experience. A reason for guests to travel, connect, and celebrate together over more than a few hours.
Couples choosing this tier usually want their wedding to feel:
- Intentional
- Immersive
- Memorable beyond the ceremony itself
What is often included:
- A welcome event or casual pre-wedding drinks
- The main wedding day celebration
- Elevated styling and décor
- More personalised touches
- Additional entertainment elements
- Possibly a recovery brunch or farewell gathering
- Instead of asking guests to fly in and out for a single event, couples are hosting a mini holiday without needing to go fully over the top.
This tier is particularly popular for destination weddings in places like Bali, where venues often offer strong value and flexible packages.
The Boujee Destination Wedding
Approx. $70,000–$100,000+ for 70–100 guests
This is the destination wedding people picture when they think “wow”.
A boujee destination wedding is not just a wedding. It is a multi-day celebration, carefully curated from start to finish.
What this level can include:
- A three-day wedding itinerary (welcome party, wedding day, farewell event)
- Full custom styling and floral installations
- Fireworks or cultural performances
- Premium entertainment
- Multiple events, including hens and bucks celebrations
- Elevated food and beverage experiences
- High-end production and styling across all events
The cost here reflects scale, duration, and detail, not luxury for luxury’s sake.
Budgets in the $70,000 to $100,000 range are very realistic for this style of celebration, particularly for 70 to 100 guests.
Photo by Allan Zepeda
Does location change the cost?
Short answer: less than you might think.
Bali
Bali is known for offering strong value across all tiers, especially because many venues include:
- Styling
- Furniture
- Catering
- Staffing
This makes it possible to create both streamlined and high-end weddings without constantly adding extras.
Fiji, Vietnam and Thailand
Fiji and Thailand can be slightly more expensive overall, but they often balance this out with generous inclusions in their base wedding packages.
For couples planning larger celebrations, this can actually simplify budgeting because fewer elements need to be sourced separately.
In most cases, couples can still expect boujee destination weddings in the $70,000 to $100,000 range, depending on guest count and events.
What impacts your budget the most (hint: it is not the destination)
If you are deciding where your wedding fits, these are the biggest budget drivers:
- Guest numbers. More guests means more catering, accommodation coordination, and logistics.
- Number of events. Each additional event is essentially another mini wedding.
- Styling level. Included styling versus custom builds makes a big difference.
- Entertainment. Live bands, cultural displays, fireworks and production all add up.
- Length of celebration. One day versus three days is a major cost shift.
Understanding these factors gives couples far more control than focusing on a single headline number.
Ready to explore what’s possible? Discover gorgeous overseas venues, packages and inspiration with Destinations Weddings.
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