travel wedding budget tips guidesA lot of us dream of having a destination wedding, but never could imagine being able to afford it. After all, we hear all the time about how expensive getting married can be, and with the added expense of travel? Well, that’s just something we don’t even want to touch.

However, with the right planning, budget, and resourcefulness having a travel wedding can be much more attainable than you may have previously thought, which is why I’m giving you a few helpful tips on how to get it done. Check them out below:

Plan A Date And Stick With It

If you’re going to take having a destination wedding seriously, then planning a date and sticking with it is going to be imperative. Not only will this give you an accurate budget to prepare for, but additionally provide you with time to find the best deals. Plus, you’ll be much happier knowing that you’re getting the most bang for your buck on your wedding day.

When picking a place and a date, don’t stress too much about getting married as soon as possible. While according to The Knot, the average engagement is 14.5 months, it’s okay to put things a little further out if it means having the wedding you’ve always wanted. Try and see how much you and your significant other can contribute, as well as other options for financing your wedding. The overarching goal is making this one of the most memorable experiences of your lifetime, so make it worth the effort you put in.

Start A Savings Plan

As no one wants to start a new life with someone in a mountain of debt, having a savings plan in place will be crucial to feeling at ease about your destination wedding. According to a survey by GoBankingRate, approximately 62 percent of Americans have less than $1,000 in their savings account. And if you find yourself in that category, then setting aside some money will be crucial.

Using the budget you’ve roughly outlined above, take a look at what percentage of your pay that you both can put in each month. Depending on your income, you might want to think about picking up a side gig or some seasonal work to really go all out. I’ll note that this is most likely going to have to be a pretty frugal period, but one that will pay off big time come your wedding day.

Search For Package Deals

Another great alternative solution to preparing for your destination wedding is seeking out package deals. Whether it be getting a discount on a block of hotel rooms or finding Paris skip the line tickets, see what options are out there that you and your significant other might be able to take advantage of. Granted, this doesn’t necessarily mean sacrificing the trip you’re really after just because you find a good deal, but with enough research, you never know what you might land. Dedicate some of your efforts to exploring what’s available, as this is one opportunity you don’t want to miss out on.

Find Alternatives To Conventional Approaches

When looking at opportunities to cut corners, there’s plenty of ways you can move around your budget so travel becomes priority. For example, the wedding dress company Azazie is able to offer you a custom bridal gown for a much lower rate since they sell directly to their consumers. Yes, for any and everything that plays a role in your wedding, someone has figured out how to help you save or take a different approach.

Make a list of all the items that your wedding is going to need, no matter how big or small. Honestly, you’d be surprised at the solutions you might come across that both are inventive while giving you the ceremony of your dreams. A big part to the magic of getting married is the story behind it, so don’t be afraid to try new things that make it a unique experience.

Knock Out Most Of Your Shopping Online

Finally, as online is going to be your primary research tool, it should also be the place where you find the lowest prices on a lot of the little items you’re going to need. Yes, with so many different eCommerce stores competing over your dollar, it’s a buyer’s market, meaning with enough patience, you can save tremendously. Start keeping a document that’s organized by categories as you look around, highlighting which products you think would work best for you. As a lot of this stuff can be shipped to your wedding location, planning and setup on your own could potentially be a cinch. And while it’s going to take a little bit of extra work, this strategy will give you the wedding you’ve always been after.

What are you most excited about in having a destination wedding? Comment with your answers below!