6 Budget Friendly Wedding Destinations

Credit: Style My Soul, www.stylemysoul.com | Destination Weddings; Travel Adventures

Planning a wedding on a budget doesn’t mean sacrificing your dream destination. This collaboration explores six key characteristics of affordable wedding locations, from tropical beaches to picturesque parks. Discover how couples can create memorable celebrations without breaking the bank.

Jamaica Offers Affordable All-Inclusive Destination Weddings
After traveling to dozens of destinations as a digital nomad and working with over 950 clinicians who often plan weddings while managing tight budgets, I recommend Jamaica as an exceptional destination wedding location that won’t break the bank.
I fell in love with Jamaica during my scouting trip there in January, and the cost structure is remarkable for weddings. All-inclusive resorts offer wedding packages starting around $2,000–4,000 that include ceremony, reception, flowers, and photography — while guests can book the same resort for $150–200 per night. Compare that to destinations like Tuscany where I’ve seen couples spend over $25,000 just on venue and catering. The real game-changer is Jamaica’s accessibility from the US, which keeps flight costs reasonable for guests at $300–600 roundtrip from most major cities. When I was researching Caribbean islands, I specifically chose Jamaica over St. Lucia because flight costs were nearly half the price, making it feasible for extended family and friends to attend without financial strain.

Jamaica’s resort infrastructure handles everything in-house, so couples avoid the nightmare of coordinating multiple vendors across language barriers. The natural beauty eliminates expensive decor needs, and many resorts offer free wedding planning services when you book a minimum number of rooms — typically just 10–15 guests.
- Kym Tolson, Therapist Coach, The Traveling Therapist

Portugal’s Algarve Region Provides Budget-Friendly Coastal Charm
One ideal location for a budget-friendly destination wedding is Portugal, specifically the Algarve region. The picturesque region is famous for its gorgeous coastline, beautiful beaches, and quaint towns, rivaling pricier locations.
In Portugal, you can find good value while searching for accommodation and wedding venues to suit your guest list and style. The cost of food and drink is often cheaper than it is in many other Western European countries, making catering easier to afford. Another benefit of the Algarve is its accessibility, thanks to lots of flights available from (usually) cheaper no-frills airlines that serve major European cities, which all helps to keep travel expenses for guests relatively low. The area’s temperate climate and wide range of activities make it easy to plan an unforgettable vacation for the wedding guests. That mix of price and atmosphere makes the Algarve such a great destination wedding spot.
Jason Cotton, Director, Deluxe Open Booths

​Chania, Crete Delivers Affordable Greek Island Experience
I got married a year ago in Chania, Crete, Greece. For my destination wedding, we wanted to ensure that people would get the most out of the money, time, and effort they would put into attending our wedding. After all, we had guests traveling from 6 out of 7 continents. We were on a mission to find a location which had to offer plenty, catered for different tastes, and was picturesque. So we chose Chania in Crete. Crete is the largest island in Greece. Chania, and Crete overall, are still undiscovered — there are not a lot of tourists yet, and people aren’t jaded from extreme crowds. That translates into people being friendly, services reasonably priced, and untouched nature. Crete is known for its sea (2 of the best beaches in the world are found there) but also its mountains with picturesque hiking trails. It is covered with vineyards, olive oil mills, archaeological and religious locations, yet the island’s lifestyle is very active. It’s a great (wedding) destination for families and couples alike.

​Our wedding took place in mid-May; spring is a beautiful season in Greece, and the seasonal prices don’t kick in until June. Temperatures are moderate, and nature is already in full bloom. In Chania, the wedding industry is still developing. That translates into reasonably priced wedding venues and budget-friendly wedding services. We were on a strict budget, and had we chosen a different island, I am sure we wouldn’t have been able to afford our wedding. Wedding venues can vary from $1,500 — $4,500 per wedding. For the catering, and depending on the type of catering, buffet vs. menu, the prices may vary from $35-$105 per person. The value for money ratio is uncanny. From rustic places to luxurious locations, Crete in general, and specifically Chania, can’t disappoint. My husband and I did very extensive research on destinations which have a lot to offer to our guests, and Crete won by far. - Christina Zacharia, Owner, Big Fat Greek Day

Oasis Event Center Accommodates Large Weddings Economically
​One location I recommend for a budget-friendly destination wedding is Oasis Event Center in New Jersey. It offers a modern, elegant space at a price point that is much more accessible than traditional ballrooms in the area. Located within reach of major highways and cities like Newark and New York, it is convenient for both local and out-of-town guests. What I appreciate most about Oasis is how well it accommodates large weddings. Whether you’re planning a Nigerian traditional ceremony or a multi-day celebration, the space is flexible enough to support all the elements without requiring a massive budget. Couples can bring in their own vendors, personalize the layout, and still give guests a beautiful, memorable experience. - Nwakaego Abdul, Information Technology Specialist & Wedding Planner, Events by Kae

Seattle’s Public Parks Offer Scenic Budget-Friendly Venues
I’ve discovered that many of Seattle’s public parks, especially Kubota Garden, offer amazingly affordable wedding permits for around $400–500 while providing naturally decorated spaces with Japanese gardens and waterfalls. The combination of easy accessibility for local guests, nearby hotel options in various price ranges, and the built-in beautiful scenery that requires minimal decoration makes it a smart choice for couples trying to maximize their budget. - Peter Kim, Owner, ODIGO

Montana Ranch Weddings Combine Affordability with Adventure
One trend I’m seeing is Montana barn/ranch style weddings. They’re called “micro weddings.”
You get a beautiful Montana mountain view, with a huge area. It’s super memorable, not a ton of people are doing this, and it really stands out. Another practical point is that there are tons of group activities in the area, such as hiking and canoeing. So you get a very scenic wedding with lots of action in the local area. I think the expenses for hosts and guests flying there are outweighed by the very affordable local housing and catering. - Menachem Shemtov, Owner, Director, Rabbi, Jluxury