Destination Wedding?

[rockundergirl]

Let me just say to clear stuff up, this is my second wedding which is why I don't want to do the whole big fancy church with reception thing. Also I don't expect anyone to go that can't afford it. My plan will most likely be to send an invite to the dinner reception we will host local to home, with an insert stating something like " For anyone interested in attending the ceremony.. blah blah blah" I wouldn't mind if it was just me the groom and our parents ( and my son of course). I hope my post did not come across like I intend on being rude or inconveniencing anyone, that's not my intention at all. I just want to be prepared. Thanks for all the info guys , keep it coming.

 

[TnTWalter]

We didn't have or go to a Destination wedding, but DH was best man in a wedding last year that was about 8 hours away from us. It cost us over $1000 just for the weekend. Then there were other expenses. In hindsight I wish he had declined. I could have taken my whole family on vacation for that plus it was a busy weekend for my DH and I spent a lot of time in the hotel alone wishing we had not spent the money.

Anyway, I would think if you are wanting to do a destination wedding to be sure that the people important to you can afford that expense and if not will you be sad to have certian people not there? If that doesn't apply then by all means have fun, if it does it may be something to think about.

Husband's childhood BF got married and had been planning on Mexico; for some reason I think our kids weren't invited or it was during school for eldest. We had 3 small kids and had an already planned company no-kids trip within a couple months [big burden on babysitters plus me as I'd miss them]...we figured for him we'd swing maybe a 3-4 day trip....but then he decided on Hawaii....well we couldn't even go for less than 5 days because of flights, etc....let alone the cost and all so we didn't go. We were really sad but it was his choice and he had a fine time. Lovely pictures. We sent a nice gift.

I think destination weddings are great ideas especially for second weddings. When you want something small and intimate. I would be careful about inviting everyone. And I never understand why people have a big reception and a small wedding, whoever goes to one should be at the other IMHO.

I had a 'friend' that had a wedding in Chicago with close friends and family and had a reception in town for the rest of us...she talked on and on about Chicago, they had pictures everywhere of the Chicago wedding. The reception was at a country club they were members of. You got a little photo album of guess what...the wedding you weren't invited to...And it was a cash bar for even sodas. No food at all, not even mints....I felt like we weren't worth it to be invited to the wedding but hey we'd like your gifts please so we'll host the room....TACKY.

 

[okeydokey]

Let me just say to clear stuff up, this is my second wedding which is why I don't want to do the whole big fancy church with reception thing. Also I don't expect anyone to go that can't afford it. My plan will most likely be to send an invite to the dinner reception we will host local to home, with an insert stating something like " For anyone interested in attending the ceremony.. blah blah blah" I wouldn't mind if it was just me the groom and our parents ( and my son of course). I hope my post did not come across like I intend on being rude or inconveniencing anyone, that's not my intention at all. I just want to be prepared. Thanks for all the info guys , keep it coming.

I think having a dinner close to home is a great idea for those that want to share your joy but can't afford the time and money to attend the ceremony. Enjoy it!!

 

[travelgirl06]

We did a destination wedding at Couples in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. It was amazing, I don't know what could be better than getting married barefoot on the beach. It was just us, because our friends and families are sprawled around the country and with divorced parents, things can get messy. We spent under $4K total, including airfare, a week at the resort (all-inclusive), wedding expenses, private candlelight dinner on the beach, and a photo package.

If you want a lot of family/friends there, this might not be the way to go, as all-inclusives can get costly for your guests (or you, if you are helping to foot the bill). Although, we did meet a bride with a larger wedding (maybe 40-50 people) and they all were having a great time together all week. If you are interested in a small ceremony, I think this is a great way to go, it was so LOW stress and enjoyable

(I did do a shower in my hometown with several friends and many of my mom's friends which was a great way to share the wedding excitement, and we have been celebrating with family members/friends individually as we see them).

 

[Inigo]

my goodness that must have added like 15 grand to the cost of your wedding! but very generous! Sadly I could never afford that lol

I mistyped. I meant paid for the hotel for the out-of-town attendants (and spouses), not all the out-of-town guests. We paid for a couple hotel rooms for out-of-town family members, but not all of them.

 

[rockundergirl]

I mistyped. I meant paid for the hotel for the out-of-town attendants (and spouses), not all the out-of-town guests. We paid for a couple hotel rooms for out-of-town family members, but not all of them.

ahhh that's more reasonable. Weddings are an odd dynamic when you think about it. Your really asking a lot of people to attended, even more so if you want them in your wedding party. On the flip side ( and this is not my situation, as I don't intend on having anything fancy) weddings are incredibly expensive for the bride and groom. I just read the average in my state is 120 per guest, and that's not including the dress etc...

 

[LoraJ]

Hello,

Another Vegas bride here

Our ceremony was in The Chapel at Mandalay Bay. We paid about $5K for a 20 minute ceremony including a minister, the flowers (bridal and maid of honor bouquets, coursages for the moms, and boutennieres for the guys), a piano player, a DVD, and time with a professional photographer / up-graded photo package (including two professional 5 x 7 albums, one 8 x 10 album, three portraits, and the rights to our photos). Our package also included extras like champagne flutes, a garter, dinner for two at Fleur de Lys, a limo ride to the courthouse to get the wedding license and one night in a suite. I think our package was called Platinum Sky.

We had about 25 guests who paid their own travel cost and my parents treated everyone to lunch at the Border Grille (private room, luncheon menu, open bar, and wedding cake from the Chocolate Swan). Lunch was around $1,200 with tax and tip.

Hope this helps!

Lisa

We got married there as well, but had a cheaper package, maybe around $1800??? We stayed at THE Hotel instead of Mandalay. We had dinner at VooDoo steak at the Rio which was $55 a person plus drinks. I provided transportation from the chapel to the Rio. We also had a welcome reception a couple of nights before the wedding. We had around 20 people.