WHAT DO WE PAY WHEN ORGANIZING OUR DESTINATION WEDDING?

What are expected to pay when organizing a destination wedding?   

How do we know where we need to invest more?
What do guests pay in a destination wedding?

These are the typical questions that all brides and grooms have when coming to decide if a destination in Guatemala can be a dream come true!

Allow us to give you an idea of what you are expected to pay and how you will be spending your money, when you start to organize your destination wedding.

From our experience we have come to see that this is usually how you will be spending your money:

The Reception is usually : 48% to 50% of the total cost.
The Ceremony is a 2% to 3%.
Your Attire comes to be an 8% to 10%.
The Flowers are  8% to 10%.
Entertainment/Music: 8% to 10%.
Photography/Videography: 10% to 12%.
Stationery: 2% to 3%.
Wedding Rings: 2% to 3%.
Parking/Transportation: 2% to 3%.
Gifts: 2% to 3%.
Miscellaneous: 8%.

We also highly recommend to add around a 15% more to the total budget,  for a “just in case” fund.

The next worry is : What are we expected to pay? What do the guests pay in a destination wedding?

Usually,  “Regular"  wedding etiquette calls for the guests to pay for their own clothing, accessories, hair and make-up, travel, lodging, and gifts. A Destination Weddings, however is generally  on a much smaller scale, therefore you are free to decide if you want to “chip in”.  However, keep in mind that whatever you chose to do for one guest, you must do for all!
Consider that you can help out in:

Negotiating group discounts on airfare, lodging and transportation.
Renting large houses and offering them for your guests to stay in.
 Asking your guests not to give you a gift because their presence is the best gift they could give you.
Publishing a wedding  web page, making sure you show the prices of everything so that they are available for your guest.
Making sure that you organize numerous "activities" for your guests, so that they feel taken care of, and you can take some "alone-time" with your spouse.

Follow these tips and you will see how much easier it is to start organizing your Destination Wedding!