Planning a wedding abroad sounds dreamy—but also expensive, right? That’s what I thought too. Between venue fees, international flights, and the overwhelming amount of logistics, it seemed impossible to stay on budget. But after months of research, negotiation, and unexpected discoveries, I managed to save over $5,000 on our destination wedding—without sacrificing style, experience, or meaning.
If you’re considering tying the knot abroad, this post shares the exact strategies and decisions that helped us save thousands while still creating a beautiful and unforgettable day. Whether you’re planning your wedding in Europe, Asia, or an island escape, I hope this guide helps you plan smarter and stress less.
Choosing a Non-Tourist Destination Saved Us $2,000
The first big decision we made was not to get married in a major tourist hotspot. As much as I loved the idea of a wedding in Paris or Santorini, prices were significantly higher in those locations. Everything from venues to photographers came with inflated “destination wedding” price tags.
Instead, we chose a less-known but equally stunning town just outside of Porto, Portugal. The venue we booked overlooked the Douro River, came with catering and decor, and cost just a quarter of what a comparable location in Italy would have charged. The bonus? Fewer tourists, more authentic local charm, and better availability.
If you’re flexible, look beyond the usual wedding destinations. Smaller towns or off-the-beaten-path cities can be just as picturesque, often more welcoming, and much more affordable.
Booking During Shoulder Season Cut Costs by $800
Seasonality makes a huge difference in wedding pricing. We avoided the high season (typically June to September in Europe) and opted for mid-May. The weather was still beautiful—warm, sunny, but not scorching—and vendors were far more negotiable.
Flights were cheaper, venues had more flexibility, and accommodation for guests was about 30% less than it would have been just a month later. This one decision alone saved us around $800 when combining our own travel and the vendor discounts we received.
If you’re okay with not having a summer wedding, consider the shoulder seasons: April–May or September–October. You’ll likely find better deals and less competition for your dream vendors.
We Used a Local Planner Instead of a Destination Wedding Agency
Many couples planning a wedding abroad hire full-service destination wedding agencies. While they’re convenient, they often come with high markups.
Instead, we searched for an independent local wedding planner who lived in the area. She spoke English, had strong relationships with vendors, and customized a plan for us based on our budget. Her fees were a fraction of what international agencies were charging, and she gave us honest advice about where to splurge and where to save.
We found her through a local wedding Facebook group, and she ended up being one of the best investments we made. She saved us from overpaying for flowers, helped us navigate contracts in Portuguese, and even coordinated last-minute weather plan changes without any stress on our end.
Invitations, Website, and RSVPs Were Fully Digital
Instead of printed wedding invitations, we created a custom wedding website using Zola and sent out digital invites via email. We tracked RSVPs directly through the site and included travel information, accommodation suggestions, and local maps.
This saved us hundreds on printing and postage costs—not to mention the time it would have taken to manage paper responses across international guests. In total, we saved around $300 with this digital approach, and our guests loved the ease of having everything in one place.
You can even add features like virtual guestbooks or video messages for guests who can’t attend.
We Booked Flights with Points and Off-Peak Dates
Airfare can quickly become one of the biggest expenses in a destination wedding. My partner and I both opened travel credit cards about a year in advance and accumulated enough miles to cover our round-trip flights.
We also flew on weekdays, which shaved about $150 off each ticket compared to peak weekend departures. Instead of booking a round-trip to the wedding location, we booked an open-jaw ticket to turn it into a mini honeymoon in another nearby country.
Using points and flexible travel dates saved us over $1,000, and that gave us a little more breathing room for other parts of the wedding.
The Dress and Suit Were Bought Secondhand and Altered
Another surprising area where we saved: our outfits. I found my wedding dress on a pre-loved bridal site for about $400. It was a designer gown that would have cost $2,000 brand new. After minor alterations and dry cleaning, it looked and felt perfect.
My partner rented a high-end suit locally in Portugal instead of buying one at home. It fit better, suited the climate, and cost a total of $150 including tailoring.
Weddings often come with pressure to spend a lot on attire, but if you focus on fit and feel instead of label or price, you can save significantly without compromising on style.
Local Food and Drinks Over Imported Menus
One of the things we loved most about our wedding was the food—and we saved money by embracing local cuisine. Instead of importing wine or asking for a Western menu, we let the venue’s chef design a traditional Portuguese meal with wine pairings from a nearby vineyard.
It was more affordable and gave our guests a cultural experience they wouldn’t have had back home. We even skipped the wedding cake and served local pastries instead, saving a few hundred more.
Working with what’s native to the region, whether it’s food, wine, or flowers, can drastically reduce costs and elevate the experience.
Additional Tips for Saving on Your Wedding Abroad
If you’re planning your own international wedding, here are a few more practical ways to save:
Bundle services: Choose a venue that includes furniture, catering, and decor to avoid multiple vendor fees.
Use local vendors: Flying in your own photographer or DJ adds unnecessary costs.
Travel light: Avoid bringing wedding decor or props in checked luggage—rent locally instead.
Negotiate everything: Don’t be afraid to ask vendors for off-season discounts or package deals.
Get legally married at home: If your destination has complex legal requirements, get officially married at home and treat the abroad ceremony as symbolic.
The key to saving money while planning a wedding abroad is flexibility. Know where to spend, where to compromise, and how to align your plans with the local culture and rhythm. Not only will you save money—you’ll also create a more meaningful, less stressful wedding day.