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Weddings Abroad Guide - How to Get Married Abroad

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Destination Weddings On A Budget

Steps for Planning Destination Weddings on a Budget.

No matter what country you plan to get married in, you can still have your dream wedding abroad and achieve it on a budget.

Destination Weddings on a Budget - Italy Italian Weddings - Giuseppe Laiolo Photography - weddingsabroadguide.com

Photo courtesy of Italy Italian Weddings via Giuseppe Laiolo Photography

While having your wedding abroad can be cheaper than having your wedding at home, often due to a favourable exchange rate and having fewer guests to cater for, there are a number of ways that you can save even more money and have your destination weddings on a budget.

I recently asked the Wedding Planners who feature on my site, if they had any practical suggestions about how to save money when planning a destination wedding.

Daniela from Italy Italian Weddings came back with some brilliant thoughts and insight.

Although some of the examples given below are specific to Italy, the advice given by Daniela can be applied to any destination. So no matter where you are getting married, I highly recommend you continue reading as this valuable advice is sure to give you some great tips for having your destination weddings on a budget.

How to Plan a Destination Wedding on a Budget

Daniela has outlined some practical and highly effective steps to help you plan your destination weddings on a budget.

Contact Local Wedding Planners

  • Try to use a Wedding Planner that specialises in the region where you plan to get married.
  • A local Wedding Planner should have a more intimate understanding of a particular area and will have built up a wider directory of excellent contacts.
  • Local Wedding Planners will usually have access to better quotations from service vendors (photographers, florists etc) and wedding reception venues.
  • Wedding Planners will have carefully selected vendors, negotiated prices and tested them before offering their services to couples.
  • In Italy, if you do select your own service vendors, you will be restricted to dealing with those who speak and write in English (not always common in Italy and many other popular destination wedding locations). As a result you may be missing the chance to contact vendors who offer better quality for cheaper prices but are not able to correspond in English.

Get Married in Off Peak Seasons

Getting married in off-peak seasons can save you a lot of money!

In peak wedding seasons, prices are definitely higher as companies know they can afford to charge a premium. However, in the off-peak season when business is slower, must companies are willing to drop their prices to attract clients.

In Italy for example, October, in most locations is not peak season yet a majority of the country is blessed with spectacular warm and sunny weather. Choosing to get married in October in Italy can save you a lot of money!

Choose an Undiscovered Location

Ask local Wedding Planners about undiscovered but beautiful locations.

Getting married in an area that is “off the tourist track” can save you a lot of money.

Save the more well known destinations for your honeymoon and choose a location nearby that is undiscovered by mass-tourism. More than likely these places will be the next top “tourist hot spots”.

You could save up to 15 – 20% just by doing this.

For example, in Italy, the art cities (Rome, Florence, Venice) and the more touristy towns and locations (such as Taormina in Sicily, Sorrento, Positano and Ravello on the Amalfi Coast, San Gimignano, Siena, Castellina in Chianti in Tuscany, and the Northern Lakes) tend to be more expensive.

However, close to all these locations you can find beautiful locations where weddings can be organised in a much more relaxed atmosphere and at much cheaper prices.

An Italian Example for
Planning Destination Weddings on a Budget

The Castelli Romani District

Twenty minutes by train or car from Rome and ten minutes from Ciampino airport, lies the magnificent Castelli Romani District full of ancient villas, palaces, lakes (Lake Albano also called Lake Castelgandolfo and Lake Nemi), magnificent hills, parks and forests, vineyards, museums, charming Churches and wonderful Civil Wedding Halls.

From the Castelli Romani District there are jaw-dropping views over the Eternal City and also over the Tyrrhenian Sea.

It is also home to one of the finest golf courses in the Latium region.

Here Reception Venues, accommodation and other additional services (transfers, flowers, etc.) are much cheaper than in Rome . but Rome can still be easily reached within twenty minutes.

Cost of a Basic Wedding Ceremony

The following is an example of what would be included in a package in the Town of Frascati or Monte Porzio Catone in the Castelli Romani District in 2017:

Total Wedding Package for a Civil or Catholic Wedding in the Castelli Romani District in 2017: Euro 1390:

  • Civil ceremony performed in Frascati or Monte Pozio Catone Wedding Hall or a Catholic & Civil Wedding together in one of the beautiful churches in the Castelli Romani District
  • Booking of the wedding hall or church
  • Onsite Wedding Coordinator for assistance on the day of your Wedding until the end of your Event
  • Assistance in finding your ideal Reception Venue in the Castelli Romani District
  • Assistance in booking any other service needed (transportation, hair & make-up, vintage cars, etc.)
  • All legal and or religious paperwork consultation and assistance
  • Lodging all paperwork with local authorities
  • Unlimited email or phone correspondence to plan your event
  • Coordination fees, 20% Italian VAT tax included
  • Wedding program with schedule of the event and services and useful phone numbers before departure
  • Marriage Certificate issuing fees, plus international translated version following the wedding – 2 copies

Not included in the above:

  • Consular fees for the issue of your Nulla Osta
  • Donation to the church for a Catholic Wedding
  • Wedding Hall rental fees for a Civil Wedding

 

The cost for the same wedding package in Rome would nearly be double.

Cost of a Wedding Reception

A wedding reception in a typical and famous restaurant in the heart of Frascati on a terrace with views over Rome for 50/60 guests would cost. Euro 90 per person (plus 10%VAT)

Example Menu

Aperitif
Prosecco, fruit juices, light cocktails, Frascati white winesEntre with: crouton of homemade bread, salami delicatessen with typical mixed local cheeses, soft pizza with bacon and crouton of homemade bread with orange and pate of baby lamb, fried vegetables, and other seasonal entrees

Then sitting at the tables in the terrace with stunning views over Rome your guests would be served:

Pasta Courses
Homemade pasta with cabbage, nuts, cheese “fondue”
Fusilli “pasta” with porcini mushrooms

Main Courses
Baby pork with a sauce of grapes and crudit’s
Baked potatoes, grilled vegetables

Wedding Cake

Spumante, coffee and homemade biscuits with a selection of fresh season fruit.

Included in the menu: fresh bread, local white and red wines (selected according to menu choice): a half bottle for each Guest of local white and red wines (selected according to menu choice), prosecco and spumante (1 bottle of each for 5 guests) coffee, soft drinks and mineral water.

The same wedding menu in a restaurant in the heart of Rome with no panoramic views would be at least 20% more expensive.

The same wedding menu in a restaurant in the heart of Rome with no panoramic views would be at least 20% more expensive.

Additional Options

Alternatively, if you would like to have your Wedding Reception in a wonderful historic Villa in this area you are able to hire a Villa exclusively for your reception with no extra rental fee (wedding menus start from Euro 105 including beverage + VAT).

To hire a comparable historic Villa in the heart of Rome, the average rental price starts at between 5,000 to 6,000 Euros + VAT and wedding menus start at Euro 140 per person including beverages.

Cost of Accommodation

In the heart of Frascati there are many 4 star, 3 star, 2 star and budget hotels to choose from for accommodation arrangements.

Average price in peak season for a 3 star hotel: from Euro 90 to 110 per night for a double room including breakfast.

Planning your Destination Weddings on a Budget

The above example shows that fantastic destination weddings on a budget are a very real possibility. Whether you are thinking about getting married in Italy or in another destination but are trying to keep your costs down, if you follow the advice given by Daniela then you are sure to be able to have your dream destination wedding without breaking the bank.

Next Steps

During the initial stages of planning your wedding, it’s helpful to contact a number of suppliers to help you understand what your wedding in Italy may cost and how you can tailor your budget to fit your specific ideas and requirements.

To connect with key wedding suppliers in Italy in one easy step click on the boxes below or the use the form at the end of the page.

Find the Best Destination Wedding Planners to help you plan your perfect Wedding Abroad in Italy on Weddings Abroad Guide
Find Destination Wedding Venues for your Wedding in Italy on Weddings Abroad Guide
Find the Best Destination Wedding Photographer to capture your Wedding Abroad in Italy on Weddings Abroad Guide

Getting Married Abroad

Wedding Abroad Creative Cost Saving Ideas

10 clever ways to save money on your wedding abroad – creative cost saving ideas.

Creative Cost Saving Ideas

Weddings Abroad Special Offers

Special Offers – Exclusively for visitors to Weddings Abroad Guide.

Weddings Abroad Special Offers

Step by Step Wedding Planning Guide

My step by step guide will guide you through the all different stages of planning a wedding abroad.

Step by Step Planning Guide

Cost of a Wedding Venue in Italy

The typical cost of a wedding venue in Italy, plus 10 essential points to consider before you book.

Italy Venue Costs

Winter Wedding in Europe
Expert Tips & Advice
Weddings In Italy Money Saving Tips
Welcome to Weddings Abroad Guide a website dedicated to those planning a destination wedding providing independent information & advice for those planning a wedding abroad.

Digital Wedding Planning Tool Kit - The Essential must have Easy to Follow Checklists, Spreadsheets & Workbooks Guide for a Destination Wedding Abroad by Weddings Abroad Guide

Planning a Wedding Abroad - Easy to follow steps www.weddingsabroadguide.com Learn how you can plan a Destination Wedding www.weddingsabroadguide.com Downloadable Destination Wedding Planning Tools & Checklists www.weddingsabroadguide.com Weddings Abroad Destination Guides & Country Overviews www.weddingsabroadguide.com Top Destination Wedding Tips & Advice www.weddingsabroadguide.comDestination Wedding Etiquette Tips & Advice www.weddingsabroadguide.com Destination Wedding Inspiration, Real Wedding Stories, Films, Styled Shoots www.weddingsabroadguide.comTop 4 Destination Wedding Planning Essentials www.weddingsabroadguide.comDestination Wedding Details all you need to know www.weddingsabroadguide.comFind Destination Wedding Suppliers worldwide www.weddingabroadguide.com Find your perfect Destination Wedding Venue www.weddingsabroadguide.comWant to know more about getting married abroad? Ask a question here. www.weddingsabroadguide.com

Mix & Match Bridesmaid Dresses from Dessy Group

Honeymoon & Wedding Gift List by Holidaysplease member of the Destination Wedding Directory by Weddings Abroad Guide

We can connect you with Destination Wedding Couples - Let us help you Grow your Wedding Business.- Find out more about how to be become a member our Destination Wedding Directory.

The Ultimate Destination Wedding Planning Checklist - Download your FREE Planning Tools Today!  // weddingsabroadguide.com

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Digital Wedding Planning Tool Kit - The Essential must have Easy to Follow Checklists, Spreadsheets & Workbooks Guide for a Destination Wedding Abroad by Weddings Abroad Guide

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