Best Destination Wedding In India- Cost, Place, Package and Other Details

“The biggest happiness on earth is the happiness of marriage”. It is the day when you promise your love to stay together forever. A destination wedding is something that many couples daydream about; being in a far-away destination, such as a palace or near the beautiful golden beaches, and celebrating with their closest friends and family for days. However, planning for a destination wedding adds glory to the function.

A destination wedding allows you to enjoy the precious moments of your life to the fullest. Moreover, India is a country full of beautiful places for a destination wedding. Plus, you get the opportunity to introduce yourself to all individuals who hold a very special place in your heart.

Planning a destination wedding comes with a lot of questions and queries. Here are some important questions you must consider before planning a destination wedding.

Q1. What is the average cost of a destination wedding?

The average cost of an Indian Destination Wedding ranges between 10-30 Lakh. However, the cost may vary according to the total number of guests, the type of luxuries you require, and also on the wedding venue you are opting for. The total expense of a destination wedding can be boundless and cost any amount. Hence, we recommend you make your budget and plan accordingly.

Q2. How To Budget A Destination Wedding?

While a destination wedding is exciting for everyone involved, it’s still a financial commitment for both the couple and their wedding guests. For a destination wedding, there are numerous things to keep in mind when considering budget:

1. Wedding Venues

The most important part of planning a destination wedding is the wedding venue itself. Go for offbeat destinations all together think Corbett, Gokarna, Darjeeling, Daman etc. An offbeat location will have lesser-known venues that will go the extra mile to make your big day special.

2. Opt For Minimal Decor

It’s rightly said that less is more. The beauty of a destination wedding is the intimate nature of it all. Wedding decor items like flowers, among others, that really cost a bomb can be kept to the minimum for a destination wedding. Let the natural setting be the backdrop for those picture-perfect moments.

3. Keep Your Destination Wedding Small

When planning a destination wedding on a strict budget, you want to keep your guest list small. Only invite the people who you absolutely have to share your special day with.

4. Determine Your Total Budget in Advance

Regardless of how you calculate your destination wedding budget, there will be a number that you can’t exceed. Knowing where you draw the line on the cost will help you adjust your plans accordingly. Keep in mind extra costs such as airfare, accommodation, transport, excursions and other expenses that are part of traveling.

5. Keep Your Wedding Favors Low Cost

Sometimes the little details that make your guests feel loved don’t need to be expensive. You can go with some DIY wedding favors or even purchase some at a low cost.

6. Off-Season Wedding

The rates during the off-season can be almost 50 % less than the peak season for a certain location. If you avoid the months from October to February, you can expect some generous deals and offers.

7. Use Local Vendors

You can also check out your destination’s local vendors and suppliers. It’s a lot easier and cheaper if everything you need for your day is already at your location. Plus, you won’t need to pay any expenses to ship everything.

Q3. What is included in a destination wedding package?

As a bride or groom, you know which details are most important for you to have on your big day. Typically, all-inclusive wedding packages will include:

The ceremony venue with simple décor
Chairs and table linens
Floral arrangements.
Music for the ceremony
Semi-private reception venue, such as a restaurant on the resort grounds
Catering and bar service
Romantic touches for the wedding couple, such as late check-out, a complimentary room upgrade etc.

Q4. Where is the best place for a destination wedding in India?

Destination weddings, meaning weddings that are held in a vacation location away from the couple’s hometown, are popular among couples for many reasons. This hip alternative allows a couple to tie the knot at an adventurous or idyllic location.

1. Udaipur

Of all destinations in India that are known to be perfect for weddings, Udaipur always comes out on top and for good reason. Its clear blue skies, glorious palaces and breathtaking lakes make the most splendid setting for a regal ceremony.

For a Udaipur wedding, the budget lands between the range of 30 – 60 lakhs; for a guest list of about 150 people where the celebration lasts for 3 days.

2. Jaipur

With its age-old palaces, magnificent forts and grand mansions, Jaipur seems absolutely perfect for the most luxurious wedding celebrations.

A wedding in Jaipur with a guest list of about 150 people would cost you anywhere between 30-60 lakh.

3. Kerala

Whether you choose to tie the knot amidst the sun-kissed beaches of Kovalam or the pristine backwaters of Alleppey, you’ll find myriad resorts that will leave your guests mesmerized in a moment.

On average, a wedding in Kerala including all arrangements like food and accommodation for around 150 to 175 guests would cost between 30 lakh to Rs 40 lakh.

4. Andaman and Nicobar Islands

The pleasing weather of Andaman and Nicobar Islands is all the more reason for you to get married here.

Planning a wedding in Andaman and Nicobar Island would cost under 10 lakhs.

5. Goa

Goa is a mixed bag of pristine beaches, breathtaking sunsets, churches, beautiful resorts and verdant forests that you can have a variety of pictures for your wedding shoot.

A wedding in Goa would cost you anywhere around 30 –50 lakhs.

6. Agra

Agra undeniably makes for a great location for a destination wedding, as it can push just the right buttons to ignite your romance and bring you and your beloved closer as you prepare to tie the knot.

The minimum budget required to host a wedding in Agra would cost around 10-30 Lakhs.

7. Rishikesh

Rishikesh is one of the most sacred cities in India and you might find it a perfect destination to begin your marital journey from here.

The minimum budget of hosting a destination wedding in Rishikesh would be anywhere between 10-20 lakhs.

8. Mussoorie

Beautiful tree-covered hills, the surreal view of the sun setting against the Himalayas, the clear skies, the cool breeze and the twinkling stars at night – everything about Mussoorie has a wonderful romantic air to it.

Planning a wedding in Mussoorie would cost under around 30 Lakhs.

Q5. What are the pros and cons of a destination wedding?

Destination weddings are all about sharing an amazing experience with your loved ones. So is a destination wedding right for you? Take a look at the pros and cons.

Pros

Your destination wedding can double up as a sweet vacation: Planning a destination wedding gives you ample opportunity to not only get married but to enjoy some serious face time with your wedding guests.
Complete Wedding Package: As part of a package deal, many offer the complimentary services of their on-site wedding consultant who will help you coordinate all of the ceremony essentials.
Avoid Stressful Family Situations: It’s generally expected that a destination wedding will involve a smaller, more exclusive group of guests. So instead of trying to decide which second and third cousins to include, feel free to only invite your nearest and dearest
Picture Perfect: Destination weddings are beautiful. Whether it’s at a sunny beach, snowy mountain top, or European castle, the backdrop for your special day will be absolutely stunning and unique.

Cons

More Planning and Communication: Whether you host your destination wedding interstate or abroad, there will undoubtedly be more planning and communication involved in the lead-up to the day.
Limited Styling Options: All-inclusive wedding packages might not be ideal if you’re wanting to create a more personalized day. You may find yourself feeling limited with choices.
Guests Missing Out: Attending a destination wedding is a big commitment, so a handful of guests may have to decline due to work, family, health or other reasons.

Q6. What are your tips for planning a destination wedding?

There’s something special about getting married in that far-flung destination where your partner proposed, against a backdrop of mountains or in the sand someplace tropical. Before you decide to jet off and tie the knot, here’s some helpful advice:

1. Choose a Meaningful Location

Your wedding location determines not only the theme but also the travel, time and budget required to pull it off. Keep in mind that your destination must have all of the resources you need.

2. Notify Guests Well in Advance

It’s important to give your nearest and dearest plenty of time to plan your wedding and manipulate dates as per your schedule.

3. Take A Trip

If you have the means and time, plan a trip to your destination to meet with your vendors in person. It’s great to put faces with names and to discuss details in person rather than over email for months at a time.

4. Wedding Planners

Make sure to find a wedding planner that specializes in destination weddings. This way, instead of spending hours on phone calls trying to make decisions from miles away, you have an expert on hand to take care of it all for you.

5. Pinterest Is Your Best Friend

It’s hard planning a wedding far away so communicate with visuals as much as possible. Create a vision board on Pinterest that you can share with your vendors like florists, designers, wedding planners, cake decorators, etc.

6. Be Decisive

You need to be twice as organized as a couple and pre-think everything because you won’t have much time to make up your mind.

7. Be Hospitable

Remember that your guests are traveling to visit you and your beloved! They are coming from long distances, so take the steps to ensure they feel right at home. Things like welcome boxes in their hotel rooms will make your guests feel that they’re loved and valued during their stay.

Taking the wedding vows with your life partner at an amazing location is like a dream come true. We @VenueMonk bring to you some important questions you must consider before finalizing your destination wedding.

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