Budgets!...numbers numbers numbers...

Mrsgreen2b · September 29, 2011

Hello All!!

So, I'm trying to figure out a reasonable budget for my JA destination wedding I know it depends on many variables such as the number of people, extras etc. but I'm just curious as to what others have come up to. What was your budget? and for how many people?

Thanks for your help

Cassie South · September 29, 2011

Hi there Mrs. Green2b,

We do lots of weddings here and you are absolutely correct... The number of people and extras are two big determining factors, but there's way more. We have to talk to our brides for nearly an hour or so before we even dare to guess at what it might cost them. Even then we have no idea until we get group quotes back and often we are very surprised!

We have Jamaica brides that get a free ceremony because of the size of their group, we have Jamaica brides that have paid upwards of $10,000 on photography and flowers alone. We have guests that paid about $1500 for a one week package (from Eastern Canada), we have guests that have come from the other side of the world to stay and paid nearly $3000.

It's great to find out what others have done, but don't be disappointed if your pricing is completely different to someone else. You will be very different brides with very different expectations!

When you say budget, what are you referring to? The cost of your wedding ceremony or the cost that your guests will pay to attend? Or both?

I did a destination wedding myself and the first thing to do is sit down with your fiancÃ©, go through all the aspects of your wedding day (or week!) and decide what you are willing to pay for each element. Then add it all up and see if it's affordable. Some things may have to be scratched, some things may get more money allocated to them. It's important to establish from the beginning what your budget is and sticking to it!

Hope that helps!

Ginger Blum

Mrsgreen2b · September 30, 2011

Thank you so much! I don't really know where to begin to be honest because all of my fiance's family lives in Jamaica and most of my family as well. There will be very few people actually staying at a resort because they actually live there or are staying with family who live in Jamaica. I find that most destination weddings just focus on individuals who are aiming to have smaller weddings where most of the individuals attending live elsewhere and will be staying at the resort.

Cassie South · October 1, 2011

No problem, it's my pleasure.

You do have unique circumstances, however just because you aren't doing what everyone else is doing doesn't mean it can't be done! Once you've established a budget, the most important decision is going to be where you decide to hold your ceremony. Just because most brides get married at a resort doesn't mean you have to. Jamaica has beautiful private villas and homes which are available for weddings as well. In a private villa or home you can do as you wish and they often work out very affordable for families, as they have lots of seperate bedrooms or apartments.

An all inclusive resort will most certainly charge your guests for a day pass to attend the ceremony, but this will give them access to everything the guests get... Meals, drinks, included activities, ect. These usually start at about USD $100 and go up (sometimes way up!) from there. If you are looking for a private reception after the wedding they will most likely charge you per head in addition to this, especially if you have a special set up and plated dinner.

I've also ran into the problem where resorts will only allow a certain number of "off site" guests attend, so clearly you want to find a property that will welcome local people.

A resort that is not all inclusive will most likely allow your guests to attend for a minimal charge, if anything at all, but the costs for your ceremony and reception may be higher. I'm speaking generally here, literally every property on earth has it's own rules.

Hope that helps! Sounds like it will be a lot of fun

Ginger Blum