Cost of a Destination Wedding
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Wondering what the investment will be for a destination weekend wedding at The Maples Estate?
Websites will throw all sorts of numbers out there because when it comes to each individual wedding, budgets are all over the map. The cost of your destination wedding will change depending on your wedding vision, the number of guests attending and the vendors selected to bring your vision to life.
Often budgets of weekend weddings at The Maples Estate exceed $100k and it's rare that our clients spend less than $65,000 all in (venue fee, catering, vendors). Though, let’s talk about what’s included in that budget. At The Maples Estate, we include 3 nights and 4 days onsite in your wedding package. That means you can host all your events onsite from welcome events or a rehearsal dinner to the wedding day events such as ceremony, cocktail hour and your reception. This also means you can host a farewell brunch or other activities onsite such as kayaking, yoga and more. Within the 3 nights onsite, you can host up to 17 guests in our farmhouse all weekend long! We also incorporate wedding planning throughout the planning journey and coordination of the weekend’s events in your package alongside other fun perks like tables and chairs, our prop closet, campfires, lawn games, a golf cart with attendant and more.
So what other costs are required beyond the venue fee?
The largest cost will be your food & beverage throughout the weekend, as full service catering packages tend to sit around $200-$250 per person. Some food & beverage options such as food trucks or non traditional caterers can offer lower cost options and there are also caterers that will charge much more depending on the packages selected and level of services they provide. For food & beverage we see our clients spending anywhere from $100 - $600 per person.
In addition to catering, you will likely want a photographer and or videographer to capture the moments, a DJ or band to get the party started and decor items such as florals and rentals, attire for the different events, possibly transportation for your guests among other things. With so many factors to think about when it comes to wedding costs, we include the creation of your personalized wedding budget in your wedding package so you will feel supported as you make decisions along the way. Keep scrolling for an editable budget template!
So when you ask: “Can I afford a wedding at The Maples Estate?
I’m going to respond with: “Let’s chat through your vision.”
That’s because every vision comes at a different price point. Some couples will spend $15,000 on catering and some will spend $60,000. Some spend $3,000 on music and some spend $15,000. Some spend $5,000 on florals and some spend $30,000. Every vendor you choose is going to come at their own price point, and will impact the experiences you have throughout your wedding. The best way to select vendors is to keep that experience in mind as you build the vision, hiring vendors to match.
So, what are the factors that will impact the cost of your destination wedding?
The Vendors You Choose: As I mentioned, every vendor comes with a different price point, but it’s up to you what vendors you choose to hire for your wedding. We have couples that keep things simple and those that go all out! You never HAVE to hire a vendor just because the internet said you should. Instead, choose vendors that match your budget, vision, and feel authentic to your desired wedding experience.
Number of Guests: The single greatest impact to your budget is the number of guests you invite. That’s because catering costs (food, dessert, barware, alcohol, linens, plates, silverware, cups, staffing, etc.) almost always are tied to your final guest count. That means the cost of $250 per person will multiply very quickly when that 50 person guest list balloons to 150 guests. Keep in mind that some vendors have a minimum rate in order to offer their services, so confirm that minimum amount before you sign your contract.
Staffing: Some vendors work solo, and some have a 10 or 20 person staff behind them. Vendors like photographers, videographers, DJs, photo booths, etc. are often flying solo. Some packages even allow you to add a staff member for support such as a second shooter for photography. Staffing can add to your destination wedding costs but it’s almost always tied to the level of service that will be provided. Think about a photographer, that second shooter adds double the coverage and allows them to be in two places at once! A large catering team usually means you will have a higher level of service, those that prep the food, serve the food, clear plates, wash dishes, cut your cake, fill your water glass, etc. Smaller teams may be more cost effective, but will often come with less support.
Number of Hours: Many vendors will have different price points for the number of hours they are onsite. Think about your timeline for the day before you choose your package, to ensure you have all the coverage you desire. Want getting ready photos and also that late night dance party? You may need to add hours to your package to get the images you desire. Want your DJ to play music for your ceremony, cocktail hour and also keep the party going till 11pm? Make sure you hire them for their full package.
When you think about your wedding budget, you can ALWAYS find someone at whatever price point you need. However, the key is to match your vision with that price point. That way you are getting the level of service, quality, the look, feel and experience you desire at the price that you can afford. If you want the highest level of service it will likely come at a greater cost. With that said, switching things up, thinking outside the box and getting your hands dirty, can often stretch your budget a bit further.
So, what vendors do you need to hire besides your venue?
Remember, you do not HAVE to hire a vendor just because the internet told you to. It’s all your personal choice and each vendor you choose should match the vision you have for YOUR wedding. However, many weddings will choose to have the following vendors.
Catering, Bar Service, Sweat Treats ($100 - $600 pp)
Photographer, Videographer ($3,500 - $30,000+)
Florist ($5,000 - $30,000+)
DJ, Live Music ($3,000 - $15,000+)
Rentals: Vintage Furniture, Dance Floor, Linens, Specialty Decor, Lighting, Table & Glassware ($20 - $100+ pp)
Hair, Makeup ($500-$2,500+)
What other costs can be associated with weddings?
Wedding Attire, Accessories. Rings
Stationary: Save The Dates, Invitations, Menus, Programs, Signage, Guest Book
Photo Booth, Activities
Guest Favors
Rehearsal Dinner / Welcome Event
Farewell Brunch
Transportation
Officiant
Atmospheric Elements Like Lighting, Installations or Draping
So remember, as you are thinking through your destination wedding costs, think first about the amount of money you have to work within, how does that match up to the vision you have for your wedding? Then, think about your vision and move forward first with those vendors that:
have the greatest impact on your budget,
can only work 1 wedding per day / weekend
you are really excited about and cannot envision your wedding without.
We LOVE transparency, that’s why we provide a budget template to help you get started.
Remember, you will have your own personalized budget based on the vision you have for your wedding, but there are also a couple tabs in the document linked below with sample budgets to work from. Click File 'MAKE A COPY' to edit the document and start your budget.
