How to Get Married Somewhere Insanely Beautiful Without Going Insanely Broke

Because “we’ll figure it out” is not a financial plan.

Listen, bestie. We need to have a grown-up conversation about destination wedding budgets—the kind that involves actual numbers, some unsexy truths, and zero sugar-coating. No more crossing fingers and manifesting that “it’ll all work out.” You don’t need another vision board, boo. You need a strategy.

Here’s the headline no influencer is putting in their pastel Canva carousel:
Destination weddings operate in their own financial universe.
And gravity hits real different when you’re paying in euros and your own blood, sweat, and tears.

Why Destination Wedding Budgets Hit Different

Let’s break the myth wide open:

Yeah, some things can be more affordable. Smaller guest list, resort deals, built-in honeymoon.

But the rest?
Welcome to the world of costs you didn’t even know existed.
Population: you, your bank account, and your mental sanity.

This isn’t about fear. It’s about facts.
Now buckle up—because, here come the plot twists.

Plot twist #1: Taxes, tariffs & duties (the real destination wedding villains)

Remember that $5,000 designer linen you fell in love with for your tablescape?

Cool. Now try shipping it to a remote island or European villa.

That $5,000 linen?
It just became a $10,000+ problem.

Welcome, to what we refer to in the industry as, The Import Trap.

The heartbreak math of international shipping

• Base cost: $5,000
• International freight: ~$1,000–$1,200 (fuel surcharges have God complexes)
• Import duties: up to ~30% (on the value plus shipping—yes, seriously)
• VAT (value added tax): 15–25% (they tax the shipping too—love that for you)
• Customs broker fees: because bureaucracy loves a surprise fee

Crying yet?

This is why planners roll through customs with six suitcases looking like the mule for a candle-smuggling cartel.
We’re not being dramatic. (Well..I always am being a little)
We’re saving your budget’s life.

Rule of thumb:
Whatever you think it costs to import?
Double it.

Budgeted $75K? Let’s try that multiplication again.
Yay—your wallet is now on a destination of its own.

Plot twist #2: Just like you, exchange rates have main character energy

A dollar here ≠ a dollar there.

Ignore that reality and you’ll be sobbing into your Aperol spritz in Amalfi when the final invoice hits.

Your exchange-rate cheat sheet

• Know the rate (and the date): That euro quote? Google it TODAY.
• Build in a buffer: Currency swings 5–10% are normal.
• Pay smart: Use services like Wise or Revolut instead of your bank’s sneaky ~3% fees.
• Lock it down in writing: Every contract needs a clearly stated master currency. No “wait, I thought it was USD??”

Treat the exchange rate like a bill, not a suggestion.
Hope is not a budget strategy. Winging it is not an option.

Your budget’s emotional support line item: the buffer

• Local wedding? Pad your budget by 5%.
• Destination wedding? Make it 10–15% minimum.

This is your Global Chaos Fund—for currency shifts, shipping drama, rain plans, extra staff, and all the other fun surprises that come with international events.

Hidden Costs They Don’t Put in the Brochure

Travel = more than just plane tickets

Your dream team isn’t teleporting in (although, I f*cking wish) .
Let’s talk about what you’re covering:

• Flights (sometimes biz class—don’t @ me)
• Baggage fees (yes, I’m packing six suitcases of candles. yes girl, you’re paying for it)
• Mileage + parking (hello $500 airport garage parking—ask me how I know)
• Ground transport (Ubers, shuttles, limos, that vintage convertible for the ‘gram)

Accommodations: This ain’t summer camp

Industry standard: Vendors get their own rooms.
I love a good slumber party as much as the next but no, your planner does not want to share a bunk bed with your photographer.

Book us at the host hotel or closeby (ideally near the action so we can run Wedding Mission Control without the commute).

Pro tip: Ask the hotel to comp one vendor room. Sometimes they say yes. (This is one thing I will give you permission to manifest)

Per diem: Feed your people, plz

Industry standard: $100–$250 per person, per day
Covers food, snacks, vendor errands, transport, maybe a burner phone for international plans.

We’re not being bougie.
We’re doing 14-hour days in another country. Budget accordingly.

Site visits: Not optional.

If you want us to avoid chaos and bring your vision to life, we need to see the space. In real life. With our own eyes. BEFORE your wedding week. (At least once)

Budget for:

• Airfare
• Hotel
• Ground transport
• Per diem
• Day rate

This is part of the job. Not a luxury add-on.

Day rates: Time. Is. Money.

A vendor doesn’t disappear for 5 days for 4 hours of work.

Day rates account for:

• travel days
• prep
• recovery
• time away from other clients + work

Photographers. Designers. Planners. Stylists.
Respect the rate.

Real talk: So you don’t pass out when the invoice hits

So what the f*ck am I rambling about?

The lie that destination weddings are “cheaper.”

Sometimes? Sure.
But not by default.
Not without strategy.

How to make it work without blowing your budget (or your mind)

Step one: Have the hard convo early

Before you fall in love with a villa or book the flights, talk to a planner.
We know the real costs, the real steals, and the real traps.

Step two: Build your village

A destination wedding planner is not an extra.
They’re your lifeline.

They know:

• the customs system
• the tax structure
• the local vendors who’ll actually show up and slay

Step three: Be ready to pivot

If the numbers aren’t matching the vision?

• Cut the guest list
• Edit the event schedule
• Source locally
• Spend money where it feels good—not where it just looks good online

The bottom line (literally)

Destination weddings are so many things. Cinematic. Jaw-dropping. Intimate. Iconic.
But “cheaper” isn’t one of them.

So build the buffers. Budget for surprises.
Pay your people.
And please for f*cks sake, don’t ship anything across borders without checking the taxes.

You deserve a wedding that feels like art—not a financial horror story.

Need help making the numbers work without sacrificing your vision?
That’s literally my job.

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Slide into my DMs and let’s build your bank-account-surviving, radically unforgettable destination wedding.

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