Affordable Destination Wedding in India Under 30 Lakhs
Destination weddings are so in demand that last year, in 2024, 21% of weddings took place at different wedding destinations in India. Most couples have this lovely dream of getting married at one of the gorgeous locations in India, be it beaches, hills or in a heritage palace in Rajasthan.
Are you planning a Destination wedding in 2025? Great, congratulations. But let's talk money. Destination weddings are synonymous with luxurious weddings, and it's true for all the right reasons. But what will the cost of a destination wedding be in 2025? How can you plan it the right way? What are the surprise expenses you should know about?
We have made a guide on what factors affect the total cost of destination weddings, so that you can plan better with Fiestro Events. Don't forget to read this blog until the end to learn about the hidden costs that most people don't know about.
A little expensive? Yes. Destination weddings cost more than a traditional wedding, but if you plan one properly, there might be a small difference in the total cost. This is because traditional gatherings would involve a large guest list, while you can host an intimate wedding at an outstation and save money due to a small guest list.
The cost of destination weddings comes in a package, so it's important to know what you actually pay for. We have broken down all the factors that will affect the overall cost of a destination wedding in 2025.
Factors That Influence The Final Cost Of A Destination Wedding
1. Guest Size Decides Everything
The size of your guest list can affect the final cost of a wedding. More guests mean more space, more food, more logistics, which means you will pay a big chunk of money. However, micro-weddings, with a guest list of less than 100 people, are trending in 2025.
For example, planning a wedding with 100 guests instead of 200 people can affect your wedding cost by 30%.
2. Wedding Location And Its Popularity
The choice of wedding location and how popular it is also decides your wedding cost. Wedding locations like Goa, Phuket, and Jaipur will be more expensive than other less famous locations like Pushkar, Jodhpur, or Mussorie.
Weddings in Rajasthan's palaces will cost more than a resort wedding in Uttarakhand. Similarly, planning a wedding in Rishikesh can be less expensive than one in the higher Himalayas.
Bonus Tip: Booking a venue in the off season, from June to September, can affect the cost by 20% or more.
3. Venue Type And Wedding Duration
The choice of wedding venue and for how many days you book it also decides your wedding cost. Venues like 5-star properties, heritage palaces, and resorts will cost more than hotels like Radisson, Ramada, etc.
Talking about the duration, a three-day wedding will cost more than a one-day gathering or a single event. So, if you're on a tight budget, plan a single-day celebration or just host other functions at home.
4. Catering Charge Per Plate
Talking about destination weddings and how we can forget about food. But, this is also where a big share of the cost goes. Every additional food plate adds to the total cost of a destination wedding. If per plate ranges from Rs. 1000 to Rs. 3000, and you have a guest list of 200 people, the cost will be Rs. 2,00,00 to Rs. 6,00,00, just for food.
And, this is just for one single event. There are welcome snacks, multiple functions, different menus, etc., which will just add to the cost.
5. Accommodation and Total Nights
Another big chunk of money out of your wedding package goes to the cost of the total rooms you book. Again, if you have a long guest list, you will need more rooms, which means you will have to pay more.
The cost of rooms depends on the total guests, the type of rooms you choose, like basic, deluxe, suite, etc., and for how many days you book it. (Intimate wedding = less guests = less rooms)
6. Wedding Theme And Decor Cost
Coming back to what makes destination weddings a top choice: interesting wedding themes and aesthetic decor. The cost of decor depends upon various things like:
1. Type of theme
2. Floral arrangements, fresh or artificial.
3. Type of venue, luxurious or normal.
Each creative addition to your wedding decor adds to the cost, and the final amount is decided. For example, a simple decor could cost around Rs. 3 lakh to Rs. 5 lakh, while adding personalised, high-quality decor can go around Rs. 15-20 lakhs.
7. Travel and Logistics Expenses
This part of the wedding cost is overlooked many times until you see it affecting the final cost. The cost of flight or train tickets, station pickups, accommodation, other transportation costs, etc., also affects the cost of a destination wedding.
But if we properly plan and arrange transportation smartly, we can save some money here.
8. Entertainment Cost: DJ, Dancers, Choreographers
Entertainment at a wedding keeps your guests engaged and makes the celebration unforgettable. But hiring entertainment artists like a DJ can cost around Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 2 lakhs, live singers or artists around Rs. 5 lakhs, and so on.
However, if you hire local musicians, dancers, or DJ artists, you can cut costs and support local artists and their talent.
9. Hidden Costs (Surprise Elements)
While dealing with all the above basic expenses, you might overlook some other hidden costs before it's too late. This mistake can mess with your fixed budget and cause unnecessary chaos.
Expenses like marriage license fees (Rs. 1000-5000), tips or additional payments to local vendors and some other emergency changes like last-minute touch-ups, rush charges, etc., can add to your wedding cost.
The best way to avoid any of these expenses is to let your wedding planners guide you on all the possible hidden costs, so that you are ready.
Category | Estimated Cost (INR) | % of Total Budget |
Venue & Accommodation | ₹12,00,000 – ₹35,00,000 | 30% – 40% |
Catering & F&B | ₹3,50,000 – ₹12,00,000 | 12% – 20% |
Decor & Theme Setup | ₹4,00,000 – ₹18,00,000 | 12% – 22% |
Photography & Videography | ₹2,00,000 – ₹6,00,000 | 5% – 8% |
Bridal & Groom Styling (Outfits + Makeup) | ₹2,50,000 – ₹10,00,000 | 5% – 10% |
Entertainment & Artists | ₹1,00,000 – ₹6,00,000 | 3% – 8% |
Guest Travel & Logistics | ₹2,50,000 – ₹8,00,000 | 5% – 10% |
Wedding Planner Fees | ₹1,50,000 – ₹4,00,000 | 4% – 6% |
Invitations & Stationery | ₹30,000 – ₹1,20,000 | 1% – 2% |
Miscellaneous & Contingency | ₹1,50,000 – ₹4,00,000 | 3% – 6% |
Total Estimated Cost | ₹30,00,000 – ₹85,00,000+ | 100% |
When we say budget destination wedding, we mean trying to plan an unforgettable gathering within your budget. While some people will have a budget of Rs. 20 Lakhs, others will have a budget of Rs. 50,000 Lakhs. But no matter what your budget is, we talk real business.
At Fiestro Events, we have planned countless destination weddings on different budgets over the last decade. Our team has expertise in allocating your funds to areas where it is most required to save you some money and plan a wedding on a budget.
Contact our team today, tell us about your dream and your budget, and we will see what we can do best with it. Remember, nothing is impossible, and at Fiestro Events, all wedding dreams come true.
