How to Determine Your Wedding Budget in 2024
How to determine your wedding budget in 2024
Money can be a tricky topic, can’t it? No matter how much of it you have, it’s always the least favorite subject to broach when it comes to planning your dream wedding. But it’s also one of the most important things you’ll want to align on well before you start planning, because being able to establish a solid budget for your wedding day, or weekend, will determine what vendors you choose, how many guests can come and, of course, whether you’ll serve fish or beef.
But how do you establish a budget for a wedding, where do you start? Even if you’ve traveled to your ideal wedding location, knowing the budget you need to have to get married there can be so difficult to nail down. You do hours of research online just to walk away with zero information on how much you actually need to have in your checking (or savings…) account to bring your dream day to life.
Well we are going to solve that for you. We are going to break down the costs and ideal budgets for getting married in some of the top destination wedding locations around the world. From Mexico to Utah, from California to Italy - we want to equip you with the knowledge you need to start your wedding planning off on the right foot.
AMANGIRI, UTAH
AVERAGE WEDDING COST = $300,000- $1,000,000+
VIEW THE WEDDINGS WE HAVE DESIGNED AT AMANGIRI
Discover Amangiri’s remote desert location
Picture yourself immersed in the heart of Southern Utah’s wilderness: Amangiri is set within 600 acres of private desert wilderness with privileged access to National Parks and Lake Powell. With access to some of the most dynamic landscapes in Utah and Arizona, Amangiri is a dream location for any desert enthusiast.
Why we love Amangiri
Amangiri is a design lover’s paradise. The sleek and minimalistic architecture features clean lines, natural materials and uninterrupted views of the surrounding desert and mesas. It’s the perfect place to step away from all of the stress and chaos in life and unwind in one of the most beautiful places on earth. And the staff spares no expense to make sure every guest enjoys a 5-star, luxury experience. From luxurious private rooms to the full service spa amenities, from the world-renowned chefs to the private helicopter tours, the staff at Amangiri will do anything and everything to ensure your stay at the resort is absolutely unforgettable and bespoke.
Why Amangiri is the perfect location for luxury desert weddings
If you’re planning a no-expense-spared luxury desert wedding, Amangiri is the perfect place to tie the knot. And to help you start planning your Amangiri celebration, here’s some information to help you budget for your dream wedding:
Venue Buyout
Venue buyout for 70-90 guests (required) / $1,000,000+ including all food and bev, onsite adventure activities minimum, onsite spa minimum - THREE NIGHTS
Sarika Camp buyout for 28-34 guests / $400,000+ including all food and bev, onsite adventure activities minimum, onsite spa minimum - THREE NIGHTS
8-28 guests / $80-$280,000+ including all food and bev, onsite adventure activities minimum, onsite spa minimum - THREE NIGHTS
2-8 guests / $20-$50,000+ including all food and bev, onsite adventure activities minimum, onsite spa minimum - TWO NIGHTS
Planner 40k+ (depending on size and duration of wedding)
Rentals 8k+ (remember that all rentals have to travel at least 4 hours to get to Amangiri so at the very least, you're looking at about 3k in delivery fees plus the cost of rentals. You will need to rent almost everything for your design as Amangiri is limited in onsite furniture and table decor)
Florals 8k (for elopements) // up to 100k+ depending on size and duration of wedding
DJ $8-20k
Photographer $8-35k
Videographer $8-25k
TULUM, MEXICO
AVERAGE WEDDING COST = $60,000 - $250,000
Fall in love with Tulum’s jungle paradise
Located in the heart of the vibrant Yucatan peninsula, Tulum is a dream destination for fun getaways, romantic trysts, and off-grid jungle adventures, and, of course, destination weddings. When we think of Tulum, we picture a seemingly endless coastline that boasts beautiful sandy beaches, clear turquoise waters, elevated cuisine, and impeccable design - making this the perfect destination for any bride ready to ditch the traditional wedding day and lean into Tulum’s unique jungle magic.
Why we love Tulum
Tulum offers the best of both worlds: enjoy the energetic hustle of the city, spending the afternoon in bustling markets before you enjoy the city’s crystal blue beaches from the comfort of a cozy cabana. Or you can step away from it all and experience a truly off-grid, eco experience at one of the countless boutique design hotels in Tulum. Tulum’s modern design hotels are some of our favorite wedding venues. A few of our favorites include:
Kima Tulum: Just a few minutes from the vibrant city center of Tulum, this modern oasis is situated on 2.5 acres of lush, private, jungle. With three luxurious guest suites, a stunning lap pool and beautiful, secluded spaces this tropical villa is the idyllic space for a small destination event. We love Kima Tulum because unlike most venues, this space is entirely yours.
16 Tulum: This minimalistic, modern venue is an off-grid hideaway. Located just 1km from the city center of Tulum, but just far enough away to encompass the peaceful serenity of the surrounding jungle, 16 Tulum is one of our very favorite spaces for an intimate gathering.
Casa Malca: Located at the most exclusive southern-tip of Tulum's main beach drag, Casa Malca celebrates the best of contemporary art and luxury aesthetic. Once owned by Pablo Escobar, the remodeled property maintained the original historical and rustic motif and added modern design. If you’re looking for a unique, high-end place to tie the knot, you’ll love the way this venue lets you enjoy luxury and art in a natural paradise.
Why Tulum is a trendy location for tropical weddings
If you’re dreaming of a lush, jungle destination wedding, Tulum should definitely be on your radar. While it’s important to note that all local vendors and businesses in Mexico are subject to VAT and business tax, which adds about 20% to each bill, here’s some information to help you create a wedding budget start planning your dream wedding in Tulum:
Standard venue buyout
Casa Malca / $125,000 including ceremony venue fee, lodging for up to 80 guests for three nights, dinner and drinks on night of the wedding only - up to 120 guests total onsite for wedding day
Kima Tulum / $11,500 for full buyout with 11 guests onsite for three nights (no food and bev included) - up to 80 guest total on site for wedding day
16 Tulum / $15,500 for full buyout, 16 guests for 5 nights (no food or bev included) - must use preferred caterers / total of 100 guests onsite for wedding day
Planner $8-25k (depending on size and duration of wedding)
Caterer about $1700-$250 a head
Rentals $4-20k+ (almost all venues require you to bring in all rentals for your wedding including tables, chairs, decor, place settings, etc.)
Florals $4k - 100k+ depending on size and duration of wedding
DJ $3-8k
Photographer $4-12k
Videographer $4-12k
JOSHUA TREE AND PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA
AVERAGE WEDDING COST = $80,000 - $150,000+
VIEW THE WEDDINGS WE HAVE DESIGNED IN JOSHUA TREE
Explore the beautiful Mojave Desert
The Mojave Desert surrounding Joshua Tree and Palm Springs is one of the most diverse deserts in the U.S. It’s the type of understated gem that many people overlook for other National Park and Califoria locations, but we think there’s something special about this versatile desert area. In Palm Springs, you can enjoy decades of luxury built for movie stars seeking respite from the hustle of Los Angeles; in Joshua Tree, you can discover the most unique rock formations and types of vegetation and iconic sunsets. Whether you’re searching for a wedding backdrop that will immerse you in the the heart of the desert, or you’re searching for a venue that offers timeless charm and luxury, there’s something for everyone in Joshua Tree.
Why we love Joshua Tree
Imagine, waking up to a beautiful sunrise climbing over the desert landscape, starting your wedding day together in a stone hot springs bath, then saying your vows in one of the epic hidden locations in Joshua Tree National Park before coming back to celebrate at a luxury Airbnb in Palm Springs. As a retreat for artists, celebrities, and design-enthusiasts, the greater Palm Springs area is filled with architectural icons, and their boutique design hotels and AirBnbs are some of the most incredible wedding venues in Joshua Tree. A few of our favorites include:
Le Chacuel: Located just outside of Joshua Tree National Park, Casa Santal is a modern, desert paradise. Designed as an artist’s retreat on a bluff overlooking a valley of Joshua Trees, this minimalist home boasts panoramic views from every angle. If you value Wabi Sabi design aesthetics, we can’t think of a better place for you to tie the knot in a place that marries love of design and nature.
Korakia Pensione: Along one of the backroads in Palm Springs’ iconic Tennis Court District, you’ll find Korakia - one of Forbes Traveler’s “Sexiest Hotels in America.” Crafted after a Mediterranean-style pensione, Korakia blends two worlds: on one side of the street you’ll find a Morrocan-style paradise with the magic of Tangier, and on the other side of the property you’ll be immersed in Mediterranean bliss. A true retreat with staff committed to ultimate luxury, we love Korakia Pensione.
Colony 29: The views are supreme at Colony 29, with panoramic valley views of both the Chocolate Mountains and the Santa Rosa Mountain Range. As you explore the historical Palm Springs hotel property, you’ll experience complete serenity wandering through botanical gardens with backdrops of both the San Jacinto Mountains and the Indian Canyons. Known as the “Last Best Place in Palm Springs,” you’ll want to book a full wedding weekend at this magical Palm Springs destination.
Why modern couples love Joshua Tree
If you love the breath-taking views of the Mojave desert, but you want to feel pampered and catered to with five-star service on your wedding day, the venues in Joshua Tree and Palm Springs offer the best of both worlds. And to help you start planning a luxury wedding in Palm Springs, here’s some information to help you build a realistic wedding budget:
Standard venue buyout
For a bougie Airbnb - about $15,000 for three nights to accommodate eight guests (up to 50 on wedding day)
Korakia buyout - 60k for three nights (not including food and bev)
Colony 29 - 16-17k average venue fee and minimum lodging fee (fluctuates based on season)
Planner 8-20k (depending on size and duration of wedding)
Caterer about $100 - $200 a head
Rentals 4-15k+ (travel fees plus california tax plus wanting a unique style can add quite a bit)
Florals 4k - 50k+ depending on size and duration of wedding
DJ 2-6k
Photographer 4-10k
Videographer 4-10k
AMALFI COAST, ITALY
AVERAGE WEDDING COST = $60,000 - $250,000+
Experience the magic of Italy’s Amalfi Coast
Located in the Campania region of Italy, the Amalfi Coast is a 34 mile stretch of sky-high coastal cliffs and multicolored towns rising above the stunning turquoise waters of the Mediterranean. Every town along the coast has its own distinct charm: the pastel-colored Positano is well known for its fine dining and luxurious cliffside resorts, Ravello is an alpine paradise with ancient villas and stunning ocean views, and Praiano is the ultimate traveler’s destination with secluded shorelines and unspoiled views of remote Italian beaches. With beautiful Mediterranean architecture, authentic cuisine and endless rows of lemon trees and olive groves, any town along the Amalfi coast promises to provide the most quintessential Italian backdrop for your wedding day.
Why we love the Amalfi Coast
Picture your wedding day running hand-in-hand through winding cobblestone streets, toasting with Italian wine and dining with elevated Mediterranean cuisine under the stars, surrounded by a few of your closest loved ones. Or envision your destination Italian wedding with 50 of your favorite friends and family members at a historic 5 star luxury hotel perched on the cliffs of the rustic Amalfi coast, savoring a quintessential Italian backdrop for a modern wedding celebration that goes all night long. Whether you’re dreaming of a romantic, understated elopement or a grand Mediterranean affair, the Amalfi Coast is the perfect place to get swept away celebrating your marriage in one of the most idyllic, cliffside retreats on earth.
Why the Amalfi Coast is the best undiscovered place to get married in Italy
If you’re dreaming of a rustic, romantic wedding day in Italy, look no further. The sweeping cliff sides of the Amalfi Coast are dynamic and steeped in history, and you’ll quickly fall in love with the beauty and charm of the small coastal cities. Keep in mind, travel fees to the Amalfi Coast will be where a lot of the extra costs come in for most vendors, but to help you start planning your Amalfi Coast destination wedding, here’s some information to help you create a wedding budget:
Standard venue buyout
For a bougie airbnb - about $15,000 for three nights to accommodate 8 guests (up to 50 on wedding day)
Planner 10-20k depending on whether you’re planning an elopement or a full wedding
Caterer about $150-$300 a head
Rentals about $200 a head
Florals 6k - 50k+ depending on size and precise location of wedding
Hair and makeup 1k per person
Photographer 4k (local) -8-12k (abroad)
Videographer 4k (local) -8-12k (abroad)