How Expensive Are Destination Weddings in 2026?

Destination weddings, particularly at all-inclusive resorts, are often perceived as extravagantly expensive. However, this isn’t always the case, especially when compared to traditional weddings. Let’s break down the costs and see why all-inclusive destination weddings can be a financially savvy choice for couples.

TL;DR: The Short Answer

In 2026, most destination weddings cost between $5,000 and $15,000 total for the couple, with many falling on the lower end of that range thanks to all-inclusive resorts. Unlike traditional weddings, destination weddings bundle your venue, ceremony, and many reception elements into one transparent package—often including your honeymoon stay. Final costs depend on guest count, destination, season, and how upgraded you want the experience to feel, but for many couples, destination weddings remain a more controlled and predictable alternative to a $30,000+ stateside wedding.

Destination Wedding Cost Overview (2026)

Budget Tier	Typical Total Cost (Couple)	Guest Count Range	What’s Usually Included
Budget-Friendly	$5,000–$8,000	10–25 guests	Base ceremony package, symbolic ceremony, basic décor, off-peak date, shared or semi-private reception
Mid-Range	$8,000–$15,000	25–50 guests	Enhanced décor, semi-private or private reception, upgraded venue, bouquet & boutonniere upgrades
Luxury	$15,000+	50+ guests	Premium venues, extended private reception, custom décor, entertainment, personalization

These ranges reflect total couple spend, not per-guest costs. Guest airfare and accommodations are typically paid individually.

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Are Destination Weddings Really Cheaper Than Traditional Weddings?

For most couples, yes—destination weddings are often significantly less expensive than traditional weddings.

The average U.S. wedding now exceeds $30,000, once you factor in venue rental, catering, rentals, décor, staffing, and a separate honeymoon. Destination weddings, by contrast, combine many of those costs into a single experience.

Instead of paying dozens of vendors individually, couples planning a destination wedding typically pay:

• A bundled wedding package
• Travel and accommodations (often overlapping with their honeymoon)
• Optional upgrades based on style and guest count

The biggest difference isn’t just location—it’s structure. All-inclusive resorts are designed to host weddings efficiently, which removes many of the surprise expenses couples face at home.

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What Does a Destination Wedding Cost in 2026?

While no two weddings are identical, most destination weddings fall into these general ranges:

• Budget-friendly: $5,000–$8,000
  Smaller guest list, off-peak dates, symbolic ceremony, and base wedding packages.
• Mid-range: $8,000–$15,000
  The most common tier, often including a semi-private reception, décor upgrades, and 25–50 guests.
• Luxury: $15,000+
  Larger guest counts, premium venues, extended receptions, and personalized décor or entertainment.

These figures represent total couple spend, not per-guest pricing. Guest travel and rooms are typically paid by attendees themselves.

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Where Your Destination Wedding Budget Goes

Airfare

Roundtrip international flights in 2026 generally range from $400 to $900 per person, depending on departure city, destination, and season. Shoulder-season travel can significantly reduce airfare for both couples and guests.

Accommodations

Most destination weddings involve a 3–5 night stay at an all-inclusive resort. Nightly rates vary by destination and resort tier, but guests typically choose and pay for their own rooms within a contracted room block.

Room blocks often unlock perks for couples, such as:

• Discounted or complimentary wedding packages
• Free nights
• Resort credits or upgrades

Wedding Package & Venue

All-inclusive wedding packages in 2026 typically range from $2,000 to $7,000, depending on guest count and inclusions. Packages usually cover:

• Ceremony venue
• On-site wedding coordinator
• Décor basics
• Bouquet and boutonniere
• Cake or dessert

Premium venues (rooftops, private beaches, terraces) and extended receptions can increase this total but remain far more predictable than à la carte pricing at home.

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Sample Destination Wedding Cost Breakdown

Here’s a realistic mid-range example:

Scenario:

• U.S.-based couple
• 30 guests
• 5-night stay
• Mid-tier all-inclusive resort

Estimated Costs:

• Flights (couple): $1,200
• Resort stay (5 nights): $2,500
• Wedding package & upgrades: $4,500

Estimated Total: $8,200

This example includes the wedding and honeymoon experience—something traditional weddings price separately.

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Do Couples Pay for Guests at Destination Weddings?

In most cases, guests pay for their own airfare and accommodations. Couples are responsible for their wedding package and any hosted events they choose to add.

Some couples opt to contribute by:

• Hosting a welcome cocktail hour
• Covering group transportation
• Upgrading select events

Gift expectations are typically relaxed—many guests consider their presence and travel the gift.

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What Actually Makes a Destination Wedding More or Less Expensive?

Couples have more control than they realize. Key cost levers include:

• Guest count: Many packages include perks at specific thresholds
• Seasonality: Peak months increase resort and flight costs
• Ceremony type: Symbolic ceremonies are simpler and often cheaper
• Reception length: Longer private events raise costs
• Venue upgrades: Private locations add fees

Adjusting even one of these can meaningfully shift your final budget.

Cost Comparison

Traditional Weddings

Traditional weddings in the U.S. can be quite costly. The average wedding cost is often upwards of $30,000. This includes venue rental, catering, decorations, attire, entertainment, photography, and more. Each element is typically sourced from different vendors, leading to higher and sometimes hidden costs.

All-Inclusive Destination Weddings

In contrast, all-inclusive destination weddings bundle most of these elements into one package. These packages often include the ceremony and reception venues, catering, basic décor, entertainment, and sometimes even photography. The pricing is upfront and can be more manageable, with packages at some resorts starting as low as $1,000 to $5,000.

Advantages of All-Inclusive Weddings

1. Budget-Friendly Options: Many resorts offer tiered wedding packages, allowing couples to choose one that fits their budget. The all-inclusive nature means food, drinks, and entertainment are covered, reducing variable costs.
2. Smaller Guest Lists: Destination weddings often have fewer guests, which can significantly lower costs. Intimate gatherings reduce the need for extensive seating, catering, and favors.
3. Built-In Honeymoon: Couples can combine their wedding and honeymoon, saving on travel and accommodation costs. Staying at the wedding destination for the honeymoon is a popular choice.
4. Reduced Planning Stress: Planning a wedding from afar might seem daunting, but all-inclusive resorts have dedicated wedding planners. This service can reduce the stress and time involved in organizing various vendors.
5. Scenic Venues: These weddings offer stunning natural backdrops, which can reduce the need for elaborate decorations. Beachfront ceremonies, lush gardens, and ocean-view receptions create a memorable ambiance with minimal additional cost.

Destify Destination Weddings

But let’s not beat around the bush: if you’re just starting to plan your special day, you want to know much your destination wedding will cost, right?

You’ve come to the right place. We’ve sent thousands of couples to beautiful locations like Mexico, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, and much more!

We have the insight, passion, and pulse of the coming wedding trends to make sure your destination wedding minimizes costs and maximizes luxury.

Let’s take a look at how expensive your 2026 destination wedding might be!

Destination Weddings Vs Traditional Weddings

Good news! Destination weddings are cheaper than a stateside ceremony.

Destination weddings cost our couples $10,000 to $20,000 on average. This number can increase depending on how swanky of a wedding you want!

The extra amenities, inclusions, and add-ons that a wedding package and/or room have, the more expensive they will be!

Based on 2021 data, traditional stateside weddings cost $28,000 on average.

As well, that $28,000 price tag doesn’t include a honeymoon! Destination weddings are vacations, honeymoons, and decadent big day ceremonies all in one!

And with that difference in price alone, need we go on?

What Do Couples Pay for with a Destination Wedding, Exactly?

Planning your destination wedding budget might seem complicated, but creating a budget for a destination wedding is much simpler than a traditional one.

Unlike a traditional wedding, your expenses for a destination wedding at an all-inclusive resort breakdown into a few simple categories: airplane tickets, accommodations, and wedding packages/venues.

Let’s dive into each of these specific categories and look at how much your destination wedding will cost you in 2026!

Average Cost of Airfare to Cancun 2026: $1,000 per couple

Airline ticket prices can range depending on the departing airport, arrival airport, how far out you book your ticket, the time of your flight, and even the season you’re hosting your destination wedding.

On average, 2 roundtrip tickets from any major city in the US will cost couples $1,000.

Let’s break it down a little further:

• Chicago to Cancun(One Way): $250 – $350 per person
• New York City to Cancun(One Way): $315 – $415 per person
• Los Angeles to Cancun(One Way): $250 – $450 per person
• Miami to Cancun(One Way): $235 – $560 per person
• Dallas to Cancun(One Way): $265 – $515 per person

Average Cost of Suites in Cancun 2026: $1,500 per couple for 5 NIghts

Accommodations are another cost that can change depending on factors like time of year, how long you plan on staying after your destination wedding, and which kind of suite you book.

The upshot is that destination weddings are wedding ceremonies and honeymoons rolled up into one price.

Couples often book 5-7 night stays for their destination weddings. Their guest list tends to book average of 3-5 night stays, depending on how long of a vacation they want to give themselves after your big day.

Also, the higher the number of guests that you book for your destination wedding, the more perks will become available to you and your guests!

These can include suite upgrades, extra amenities like a free couples massage at the resort’s spa, and much more.

Therefore, your room’s cost can end up paying for itself!

On average, couples can expect to pay $1,500 for their destination wedding rooms

Average Cost of Destination Wedding Package & Wedding Venue in Cancun 2026: $5,000 per couple

Your destination wedding package will end up being the bulk of your budget.

Working with Destify’s destination wedding experts, we will help you determine which wedding package is right for you.

All-inclusive wedding packages can range from $1,000 to $10,000, depending on the extras and amenities they come with.

An all-inclusive wedding package will typically reserve your wedding venue and ceremony time, and will include basic necessities like food for your wedding party, alcohol, seating, and decor.

The higher-end wedding packages will come with extras like a 4-hour private reception, premium liquor packages, specialized food stations, and much more.

As well, some venue spaces come with an extra premium price, typically around $1,000. These venues tend to be more luxurious than your average beach or garden space, hence the extra costs associated.

Do Couples Pay for Guests Attending a Destination Wedding?

One of the biggest questions we get about destination wedding guests is about what they are expected to spend versus what the couple will spend.

Destination wedding guests are required to pay for their own airfare and lodging costs. Beyond that, all-inclusive resorts will cover their food, drink, and basic amenity needs.

Destify books transportation to and from the resort for the couples and their guests, so don’t worry about that extra cost!

One way to help your guests save money can be to refrain from asking for a wedding gift. Consider their presence a present! 😉

Destify’s destination wedding experts will help your guests reserve their rooms, ensuring they pick the right suite for their budget!

In general, destination wedding guests tend to pay $1,000-$1,500.

Book Your Destination Wedding Today

Why All-Inclusive Resorts Help Control Costs

All-inclusive resorts simplify planning by:

• Offering upfront pricing
• Reducing vendor coordination
• Including on-site wedding teams
• Eliminating hidden service fees

Instead of juggling contracts, couples get a clear financial picture early—one of the biggest reasons destination weddings feel less stressful.

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FAQs: Destination Wedding Costs

How much does the average destination wedding cost in 2026?
Most couples spend between $5,000 and $15,000 total, depending on guest count and upgrades.

Are destination weddings cheaper than traditional weddings?
For many couples, yes—especially when the honeymoon is included in the same budget.

What’s the cheapest way to plan a destination wedding?
Choose off-peak dates, a symbolic ceremony, and resorts with inclusive base packages.

Do guests expect to pay for their own travel?
Yes. Destination wedding etiquette assumes guests note travel as their gift.

How much do all-inclusive wedding packages cost?
Most range from $2,000 to $7,000 in 2026, depending on resort and guest count.

Does guest count affect wedding price?
Yes. Guest thresholds often unlock perks but larger counts can require private venues.

Are destination weddings worth the money?
For couples prioritizing experience, simplicity, and travel, they often deliver higher value.

Can you have a destination wedding under $3,000?
Yes, with very small guest lists and base packages.

Under $5,000?
Yes—many couples achieve this with off-peak dates and symbolic ceremonies.

Under $10,000?
Absolutely. This is one of the most common destination wedding budgets.

We’re ready when you are!

We’re here to take the anxiety and confusion out of planning a destination wedding so you enjoy every moment of your destination wedding, from your luxurious suite to saying ‘I Do’ to your sweetheart!

Talk to one of our wedding experts today!