Paying for a Destination Wedding: Understanding Etiquette and Expectations
Considering tying the knot on a tropical beach or at a secluded mountain retreat?
A destination wedding sounds dreamy — but when you start thinking about who foots the bill, things can quickly become complicated. Will your guests cover the cost of their flights? Are the bride and groom responsible for lodging costs? What do the parents pay for?
From the venue to flowers to accommodations to food — there are a multitude of costs to consider when you’re planning a destination wedding.
Here, the wedding professionals at Twenty Mile House remove the mystery surrounding who pays for a destination wedding, including travel, accommodations, and event costs, and how important communication is in the planning process.
Who Pays for a Destination Wedding?
At a destination wedding, the bride and groom, their parents, and guests all share some of the cost. For example, the parents typically pay for wedding attire, guests cover their own lodging, and the couple is responsible for the cost of the venue, entertainment, and flowers.
For this reason, if you’re planning a destination wedding, you’ll want to give special consideration to your guest list, which may result in inviting fewer people to your wedding.
What Parents Pay for at a Destination Wedding
While these days, nothing is set in stone, at a destination wedding:
Parents of the bride may pay for:
The wedding dress
Floral arrangements
Specific travel for the couple
Parents of the groom may pay for:
The rehearsal dinner
The marriage license and the officiant's fees
A portion of the honeymoon
The groom's attire
Pre-wedding events
In some cases, however, the couple may pay for many of these things themselves. Conversations with parents are a critical part of wedding planning and should begin soon after the engagement is announced.
What the Couple Pays for at a Destination Wedding
Venue and Ceremony
The first costs to consider for a destination wedding are the venue and ceremony, including the location, rings, attire, etc.
When you choose to tie the knot at Twenty Mile House, you’ll enjoy exclusive use of our 200-acre eco-estate that includes:
Three breathtaking ceremony sites — forest, river, and garden
A ceremony arch
A two-acre, beautifully landscaped garden reception area
A spacious dance floor to dance the night away with a disco ball & professional dance lighting package
All you need to bring is an officiant and your beverages of choice.
Wedding Party Gifts
As the wedding couple, you’re responsible for purchasing gifts to present to your wedding party as a “thank you” for their investment in your lives and participation in your wedding ceremony.
For your bridesmaids, consider:
Personalized tote bags
Sentimental necklace
Matching bracelets
Gift cards
The groomsmen might enjoy:
Leather toiletry bags
Monogrammed keychains
Grooming kits for beard, skin, and hair that include oil, balm, comb, scissors, and a brush
Reception and Catering
Traditionally, the bride and groom are responsible for covering the cost of their reception, which includes the:
Venue
Catering
Wedding cake
Entertainment
Music creates the mood for your big day and keeps the atmosphere lively and memorable. You’ll be in charge of covering the cost for:
Live bands
DJs
Any additional entertainment during your wedding reception
Wedding Planner
While a wedding planner isn’t required for a destination wedding, they can mean the difference between a stress-filled day you can't wait to get behind you or the wedding day of your dreams.
All-inclusive destination weddings at Twenty Mile House include a dedicated Wedding Coordination Team that takes care of each and every detail of your special day
Flowers
The right flowers can add class, individuality, and beauty to your wedding day and are an integral part of your event budget. Consult with a florist nearby your wedding’s destination to ensure your floral vision and budget align.
Photography/Videography
Your wedding photos and videography are treasures you’ll cherish for a lifetime, and fall under the bride and groom’s financial responsibilities. Costs can vary greatly, so take the time to research photographers and videographers who align with both your style and budget.
Transportation to Venue
While your guests bear the cost of airfare or other travel, the bride and groom are responsible for organizing and paying for transportation to the venue. You might consider:
Renting a shuttle service
Hiring an Uber
Renting a limo
Welcome Dinner and Thank You for Guests
If you’re planning to have any pre- or post-wedding events, like a welcome party or a farewell brunch, many couples choose to cover the cost. It’s also common and acceptable to invite your guests to chip in as a gesture of appreciation to the bride and groom.
You may also want to consider assembling welcome bags or another small thank-you to express your gratitude to wedding attendees.
Travel
At a destination wedding, who pays for flights? Travel costs are covered by the guests and include:
Transportation to and from the airport
Flights to and from the destination
Transfers from the airport to their accommodations
Accommodations
At a destination wedding, who pays for the hotel or other accommodations? This cost is also the responsibility of the guests.
As you’re considering the venue for your destination wedding, it’s courteous to keep in mind your guests’ financial situations and what they may want to pay for their accommodations. If possible, try to provide a wide array of options that range from budget-friendly to more luxurious.
At Twenty Mile House, we eliminate the hassle by offering reserved accommodations for up to 54 people.
Food
Food is paid for by the bride and groom.
If you choose one of our all-inclusive packages for destination weddings in California, you can customize your menu with the highest quality, local, organic & sustainable ingredients, prepared by our specially selected caterers. We even offer an artfully designed cake or dessert bar with cake-cutting service, a dessert table, and a coffee & tea bar.
Activities
The bride and groom should budget for any outside activities they may want to offer their guests, including paying for planned group excursions or events such as:
A boating trip
Snorkeling
Hiking
Wine tasting
A brewery tour
A hot air balloon ride
Horseback riding
An afternoon at the spa
What Is the Average Cost Per Person for a Destination Wedding?
The cost per person to attend a destination wedding ranges from $350 to over $1,000, with upwards of $2,500 to $5,000 per person for international locations. Factors that determine the overall cost include:
Location
Airfare
Venue
Accommodations
Duration of the event
Additional amenities
The Importance of Communication and Gratitude When Planning a Destination Wedding
No matter who pays for what, communication is key!
Be sure to make it crystal clear what your guests are responsible for — and let them know how thankful you are for their willingness to pay for those expenses to be with you on your special day.
All-Inclusive Wedding Packages at Twenty Mile House: California’s Destination Wedding Venue in the Sierra Nevada Mountains
At Twenty Mile House, our truly all-inclusive wedding packages include everything you need for your wedding day.
Nestled on 200 acres in Northern California, we provide three all-inclusive packages that include our:
Signature Weekend Package
Signature Midweek Package
Perfectly Custom Package
Reach out today with questions or to schedule the all-inclusive wedding of your dreams at Twenty Mile House.