When planning a budget friendly destination wedding, your choice of location can make or break your finances. The ideal spot offers affordable venues, reasonable travel and accommodation costs, favorable exchange rates, and captivating scenery. Let’s explore top budget-friendly wedding destinations, complete with practical budget tips and fun local activities that can double as memorable wedding events.
MEXICO
Why It’s Budget-Friendly: Mexico is a perennial favorite for affordable destination weddings, especially for North American couples. All-inclusive resorts often provide comprehensive wedding packages at a fraction of the cost of U.S. venues.
Popular Locations: Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Puerto Vallarta
Most Favorable Months: December to April
Design Themes & Colors:
Boho beach with macramé and pampas grass
Rustic tropical with vibrant florals
Color palette: coral, turquoise, sand, and gold
Decor Ideas:
Rent papel picado banners and woven placemats
Use terra cotta pots with succulents for centerpieces
Budget Tips:
Book an all-inclusive resort that offers free wedding packages if a minimum number of rooms are booked.
Travel during the off-peak season (May to November) to take advantage of lower room rates and wedding package discounts.
Use local photographers, florists, and musicians instead of importing vendors.
Local Activities:
Snorkeling and scuba diving in coral reefs
Visiting ancient Mayan ruins (Chichen Itzá, Tulum)
Enjoying vibrant nightlife in Cancún or cultural festivals in Oaxaca
Gift & Favor Ideas:
Mini bottles of tequila or mezcal
Hand-painted maracas
Colorful Mexican tiles as coasters
Dominican Republic
Why It’s Budget-Friendly: The Dominican Republic offers Caribbean charm without the Caribbean prices. Resorts are competitive and offer bundled wedding and honeymoon deals.
Popular Locations: Punta Cana, La Romana, Santo Domingo
Most Favorable Months: December to April
Design Themes & Colors:
Elegant Caribbean with white draping and lanterns
Nautical theme with driftwood and blue hues
Color palette: aqua, white, navy, blush
Decor Ideas:
Use palm fronds and coconuts for tropical table decor
White draping from local fabric markets for a beach cabana effect
Budget Tips:
Take advantage of early booking promotions or last-minute deals from resorts.
Choose wedding packages that include decorations, an officiant, and photography.
Limit the guest list to reduce accommodation and reception costs.
Local Activities:
Catamaran cruises and snorkeling trips
Exploring historic Santo Domingo, a UNESCO World Heritage site
Zip-lining and hiking in national parks
Gift & Favor Ideas:
Locally made coconut or coffee scrubs
Handwoven fans
Dominican cacao or rum miniatures
Portugal
Why It’s Budget-Friendly: Portugal combines old-world elegance, coastal beauty, and some of Western Europe’s lowest travel and venue costs.
Popular Locations: Lisbon, Porto, Algarve, Sintra
Most Favorable Months: April to June, and September to October
Design Themes & Colors:
Vineyard romance with vintage European charm
Seaside rustic with olive branches and ceramic tiles
Color palette: dusty blue, olive green, ivory, and terracotta
Decor Ideas:
Incorporate vintage wine bottles as candle holders
Drape eucalyptus and olive branches across tables
Budget Tips:
Rent a quinta (Portuguese country estate) or vineyard for a rustic-chic wedding at a lower cost.
Opt for off-the-beaten-path towns to avoid tourist pricing.
Serve local wine and traditional dishes to keep catering costs low.
Local Activities:
Wine tasting in Douro Valley
Tram tours and sightseeing in Lisbon
Surfing or relaxing on Algarve’s beaches
Gift & Favor Ideas:
Mini bottles of port wine or olive oil
Traditional Portuguese azulejos (tiles)
Cork keychains or notebooks
Bali, Indonesia
Why It’s Budget-Friendly: Bali offers luxury at low prices, with a strong local wedding industry and a backdrop of tropical beauty and spirituality.
Popular Locations: Ubud, Seminyak, Uluwatu
Most Favorable Months: April to October
Design Themes & Colors:
Tropical luxe with orchids and palm leaves
Jungle boho with wood and earthy tones
Color palette: emerald green, ivory, burnt orange, and gold
Decor Ideas:
Use banana leaves as runners or placemats
Hand-woven fans or parasols as guest favors
Budget Tips:
Rent a villa for the wedding and accommodations to save on venue and lodging.
Use a local wedding planner to avoid inflated foreign vendor fees.
Travel during shoulder seasons (April–June or September–November) for better rates.
Local Activities:
Visiting temples like Tanah Lot or Uluwatu
Relaxing with traditional Balinese spa treatments
Enjoying jungle treks, rice terrace tours, and cultural dance performances
Gift & Favor Ideas:
Wooden carvings or batik fabric fans
Balinese incense or soaps
Mini rattan bags or baskets
Thailand
Why It’s Budget-Friendly: Thailand’s diverse landscapes, from mountains to beaches, come with affordable prices for venues, catering, and accommodations.
Popular Locations: Phuket, Krabi, Chiang Mai, Koh Samui
Most Favorable Months: November to February
Design Themes & Colors:
Minimalist beach with white orchids and bamboo accents
Thai elegance with lotus flowers and silk textiles
Color palette: coral, ivory, jade green, and gold
Decor Ideas:
Incorporate floating lotus flowers and silk drapes
Bamboo lanterns and tropical fruit displays (mangoes, pineapples)
Budget Tips:
Book small, family-run resorts or boutique hotels for lower venue fees.
Opt for a simple beach ceremony with natural decor.
Choose Thai cuisine for your wedding menu — delicious and budget-friendly.
Local Activities:
Island-hopping tours in Krabi or Phang Nga Bay
Night markets and cooking classes
Temple tours and elephant sanctuaries in Chiang Mai
Gift & Favor Ideas:
Thai silk pouches or scarves
Mini spice jars or tea sets
Hand-carved soaps
Croatia
Why It’s Budget-Friendly: Croatia offers stunning Mediterranean coastlines and historic cities at a fraction of the cost of other European destinations.
Popular Locations: Dubrovnik, Split, Hvar, Rovinj
Most Favorable Months: May to September
Design Themes & Colors:
Mediterranean chic with olive branches and stone backdrops
Coastal romance with sailboats and vintage elements
Color palette: soft blue, white, lavender, and sage
Decor Ideas:
Use olive branches and lavender bundles for bouquets
Ceramic plates and linen napkins for rustic elegance
Budget Tips:
Consider a wedding in a public square or historical ruin to avoid high venue fees.
Book accommodations in local guesthouses or Airbnb for you and guests.
Utilize natural landscapes and historical architecture to minimize decor expenses.
Local Activities:
Sailing along the Dalmatian coast
Walking tours of walled cities like Dubrovnik
Wine tasting in Istria
Gift & Favor Ideas:
Lavender sachets
Croatian olive oil bottles
Handmade ceramic magnets
Morocco
Why It’s Budget-Friendly: With its vibrant culture and stunning architecture, Morocco offers exotic weddings that are surprisingly affordable.
Popular Locations: Marrakech, Essaouira, Atlas Mountains
Most Favorable Months: March to May, and September to November
Design Themes & Colors:
Desert boho with lanterns, rugs, and poufs
Moroccan palace vibe with colorful tiles and brass accents
Color palette: terracotta, deep red, gold, and sapphire blue
Decor Ideas:
Use rugs for an aisle or lounge space
Hang colorful glass lanterns from trees or ceiling beams
Budget Tips:
Host your wedding in a traditional riad for a unique and affordable venue.
Use local fabrics and flowers for decor.
Shop local markets for favors and gifts.
Local Activities:
Camel rides and desert excursions
Visiting souks and artisan markets
Cooking classes and traditional hammam experiences
Gift & Favor Ideas:
Moroccan tea glasses or mini tagines
Argan oil products
Handcrafted lantern keychains
India
Why It’s Budget-Friendly: India offers grand weddings at incredible value, particularly in smaller cities or less touristy regions.
Popular Locations: Goa, Jaipur, Udaipur, Kerala
Most Favorable Months: October to March
Design Themes & Colors:
Royal palace theme with marigolds and silk draping
Tropical coastal with coconut palms and seashells
Color palette: marigold yellow, fuchsia, emerald, and ivory
Decor Ideas:
Use marigold garlands and sari fabrics for backdrops
Brass plates and diyas for table settings
Budget Tips:
Choose local vendors for all services from catering to mehndi artists.
Opt for off-season dates to secure the best venue rates.
Consider a multi-day wedding at a boutique heritage hotel.
Local Activities:
Beach parties in Goa
Palace tours and elephant rides in Jaipur
Houseboat cruises in Kerala’s backwaters
Gift & Favor Ideas:
Mini jars of Indian spices
Traditional bangles or bindis
Hand-painted wooden boxes
Costa Rica
Why It’s Budget-Friendly: Costa Rica’s ecotourism and budget travel scene make it a top pick for couples who love nature and adventure.
Popular Locations: Arenal, Guanacaste, Manuel Antonio
Most Favorable Months: December to April
Design Themes & Colors:
Eco chic with greenery, recycled wood, and minimal florals
Rainforest romance with bold florals and fairy lights
Color palette: jungle green, white, copper, and blush
Decor Ideas:
Bamboo arch, banana leaf runners, recycled wood signs
Use local flora like heliconia and ginger lilies
Budget Tips:
Host the ceremony at a free public beach or national park.
Choose an eco-lodge or Airbnb-style villa for accommodations and venue.
Keep decor simple and let the rainforest scenery do the work.
Local Activities:
Zip-lining, waterfall hikes, and hot springs
Wildlife tours in national parks
Surfing or yoga retreats on the beach
Gift & Favor Ideas:
Handmade wooden ornaments
Costa Rican coffee bags
Locally sourced cocoa or soap
Philippines
Why It’s Budget-Friendly: The Philippines offers crystal-clear beaches and tropical beauty at some of the lowest prices in Asia.
Popular Locations: Palawan, Boracay, Cebu
Most Favorable Months: December to May
Design Themes & Colors:
Island paradise with driftwood, shells, and tropical blooms
Beach boho with woven textures and macramé
Color palette: seafoam, cream, coral, and gold
Decor Ideas:
Use Capiz shell accents, abaca placemats, and woven baskets
Tropical flower arrangements with anthuriums and hibiscus
Budget Tips:
Partner with beachfront resorts offering wedding coordination.
Hire local artisans for custom decor and floral arrangements.
Plan group travel for flight and transfer discounts.
Local Activities:
Island hopping and snorkeling
Visiting lagoons and limestone cliffs
Local food tours and beach bonfire nights
Gift & Favor Ideas:
Capiz shell ornaments
Mini woven bags with local sweets
Coconut candles or soaps
Final Thoughts
With so many breathtaking locations offering incredible value, a destination wedding doesn’t have to drain your savings. Focus on local vendors, off-season travel, and venues that double as accommodations to stretch your budget while creating a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Budget friendly destination wedding can be your dream wedding.
