Where to start?

Hi all! We got engaged in June and have since been trying to decide where to get married. We have toyed with everything from a traditional wedding at home, to doing something stateside to a small carribean destination wedding. We have decided that we want a carribean dest. wedding, but I can't figure out where to even start looking. We have a very small budget (about $5000) and the idea of an all inclusive resort sounds like it would be the most affordable option. We would only be paying for our travel and the wedding itself. We will likely have 6-15 guests who will pay their own travel expenses. Is it possible to have a wedding for about $5000? I really care about a beach location and the photography most and will be trying my best to save money where I can by making my own invitations and such. Are there any destinations that you love that are also very affordable? How much did you budget in for photography?

You can have an affordable DW, but you can also make it costly. We are paying about $2400 for photography, but the resort photog was only going to cost about $1000 for the big package. I would also look at going during low season, as travel costs are lower then too.

Do you have any idea of what country you might want to go to yet?

Welcome to the forum! I know its over-whelming when you first start planning. As far as budgeting goes, I would recommend making a list of everything and how important it is to you. (Budget, rooms, location, photography ect.) We are staying at a brand new all inclusive hotel (Barcelo Maya Palace) for 7 nights. The price is $1,245.00 per person + Airfare= about $1,645 per person. You save by shortening your stay, and by making stuff yourself. I have made my own Barefoot sandals, both my BM's barefoot sandals, my bouquets, and my veil. I LOVE everything I've made, and have saved atleast $500.00 by doing so. As far as budgeting photography, I would put it in your list and decide on how important it is to you. For us, it was pretty high on the importance list, so after much research we are spending about $1,500.00 for pics of pre-wedding, ceremony, and a TTD. You can definetely find a photographer who will work with you on your budget. Ours created a package just for us, so they could be accomidating! Happy PLanning!

Yes, you can. We paid about that for our entire wedding at the RIU. We did the free package and used the resort photographer. All in all it was about 5000 dollars. Good luck.

I am looking mostly at Jamaica and DR, but am open to suggestions! How/where did you guys find photographers that were not part of the hotel package or addons?

Hi. I was married on July 15 at the Riu Tropical Bay in Negril. It was $1500 per person from Detroit all inclusive for a week. We had 31 guests. We took the free package (well you pay $250 for the minister), then added on a picture package (we went with the cheapest because we knew everyone else would be taking pictures - approx. $200), and upgraded the bouquet and added 2 bridemaid bouquets ($65 each for the bridesmaids and $100 for mine). The wedding was beautiful and there wasn't anything different that I would have done. I didn't want a big elaborate wedding, so that's why we decided to go away to get married! It was simple and elegant.

Michele

I agree with you, bellemiche, I don't want a big elaborate wedding. I am looking for something special, on the beach, and reasonably priced. Thanks for letting me know what the cost was, the majority of us will also be flying out of Detroit.

I am having a cheap wedding as well. PM me if you want to chat!