HERE AND AWAY
TRAVEL
@HEREANDAWAYTRAVEL
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Let's Talk
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Your Destination Wedding Budget
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Why a destination wedding gives you more for your money, and more time with the people you love, plus the real numbers and the questions every couple asks us.
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The part no budget can measure
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A few hours, or a few days?
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At home
5–6 hours
One day, one reception and a lot of quick hellos across the room
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At an all-inclusive
3+ days
Welcome drinks, beach days and dinners with everyone you love
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At home, you spend all of that money on a single day and a few hours with your loved ones, and most couples say the night flew by. At an all-inclusive resort, you get at least three days with your friends and family, and often more: breakfast with your grandparents, an afternoon at the pool with your college friends, a sunset dinner with both families together. That kind of time simply can't be matched by a traditional wedding near home, and it's the reason so many of our couples tell us they'd choose a destination wedding all over again.
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Budgeting doesn't have to be scary
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Numbers can feel overwhelming, but you don't have to figure this out alone. We'll help you sort out what matters most to you, put your money where it counts and help you stay within the budget you're comfortable with. Then we'll match you with the resorts that fit your vision and your price point.
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| Our realistic rule of thumb |
| $280 – $425 |
| per guest, all in |
That covers every wedding event: your welcome party, rehearsal dinner and the full wedding day, plus standard decor, basic photography and similar essentials. Compare that to the national $292 per guest, which buys the ceremony and reception alone.
This is a guide, not a rule. You can absolutely spend less than this, and you can of course spend thousands of dollars more. It all comes down to how strict you want to be with your budget and how extravagant you want your events to be.
It does not include your own resort stay and travel, but many resorts offer concessions like free room nights based on how many guests book, which can take a real bite out of that part of your budget.
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Your resort changes everything. The same 50-guest wedding might average around $10,000 at one resort and $30,000 at another, depending on the package, inclusions and concessions. That's exactly where we come in: we'll pinpoint the resorts that fit what you're looking for and what you want to spend, so there are no surprises later.
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Two real weddings, side by side
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Here's what two of our recent couples actually spent, straight from their resort invoices. Both had about 60 guests. Both had gorgeous weddings. Their budgets could not have been more different.
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Hard Rock Riviera Maya
Mexico · 61 guests |
Casa de Campo
Dominican Republic · 62 guests |
| The package & events |
Wedding package
Ceremony, dinner reception, open bar & cake |
Free
earned with their room block |
$28,673
2-day package, after a $500 entertainment credit |
Welcome party
Venue, food & signature drinks |
Free
bonus concession for booking with Here and Away Travel |
Included |
Symbolic ceremony
Beach or garden setup & officiant |
Included |
Included |
Cocktail hour
Hors d'oeuvres & signature drinks |
$1,400 |
Included |
Dinner reception
Dinner, open bar & wedding cake |
Included |
Included |
| Florals & decor |
Ceremony extras
Additional chairs & sparkling wine toast |
$262 |
— |
Wedding day florals & decor
Bouquet, arch, centerpieces & styling |
$1,632 |
$11,580 |
| Welcome party decor |
— |
$1,661 |
| Vendors & entertainment |
| Photography |
$3,100*
outside photographer |
$4,602
10 hours |
| Reception DJ & lighting |
$4,344
plus a photo booth and a dancing LED robot! |
Included
+$413 for an extra hour |
| Welcome party DJ |
$925 |
— |
| Dance floor & DJ riser |
— |
$1,534 |
| Crazy Hour (Hora Loca) |
— |
$679 |
Popsicle stand
At the welcome party and reception |
$960 |
— |
| Special effects |
$255 |
— |
| Other vendors |
$835 |
— |
Guest transportation
Buses to and from venues |
— |
$480 |
Total
Per guest |
$13,713
about $225 |
$49,621
about $800 |
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*$1,800 for the photographer plus $1,300 for the photography team's 3-night stay in the couple's room block. Staying in the block waived the resort's $1,500 outside vendor fee.
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We absolutely love both of these resorts. At Hard Rock Riviera Maya, this couple's guests booked enough rooms to earn a complimentary wedding package, booking with us added a free welcome party, and they put their budget toward the fun extras (yes, including a dancing robot). At Casa de Campo, the couple went all in on a lush, fully designed celebration at one of the most beautiful resorts in the Caribbean, and they made room for some fun too: their Crazy Hour (Hora Loca) was an absolute blast. Neither is the “right” choice. It all comes down to your budget and what you're really looking for in a resort, and that's exactly what we'll help you figure out.
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Want to see more real invoices? For many of the resorts we work with, we have sample invoices from past couples that we're happy to share. Just send us an email with the resorts you're curious about, and we'll send them right over.
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Home vs. destination: what your money buys
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Comparing price per guest only tells half the story. The real difference is what's included and how much time you get.
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At home |
All-inclusive destination |
| Typical cost per guest |
$292* for ceremony & reception only |
$280–$425 for all wedding events |
| Events included |
Wedding day; welcome party and rehearsal dinner budgeted separately |
Welcome party, rehearsal dinner and wedding day |
| Time with your guests |
A few hours |
3+ days |
| Average guests* |
123 |
69 (international) |
| Venue, catering & bar |
Booked and paid separately |
Bundled in the wedding package |
| Coordinator |
Usually an added hire |
Resort wedding coordinator typically included |
| Guest travel coordination |
If you want help organizing travel arrangements and accommodations for out-of-town guests, you'd pay a coordinator |
Depends on the agency. Some, like Here and Away Travel, are complimentary, with no added cost to you or your guests; others charge a fee. Both are completely normal industry standards, so go with whoever you vibe with most! |
| Guest rooms |
A hotel block, if needed |
Guests book their own stay — and their bookings can earn you free nights or events |
| Honeymoon |
A separate trip |
You're already there — just stay a few extra nights |
| Your guests' experience |
One evening out |
A full vacation together |
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What a wedding at home really costs
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The cost of a hometown wedding depends enormously on where you live. Here's what couples spent on their wedding day alone, according to The Knot's 2026 Real Weddings Study:
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| Average wedding-day cost by location |
| New York City |
$88,000 |
| New Jersey |
$57,000 |
| Miami, Florida† |
$46,000 |
| Austin, Texas |
$37,000 |
| National average |
$34,200 |
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Every one of those numbers covers the ceremony and reception only. The welcome party, rehearsal dinner and any other events come on top. Nationally that works out to about $292 per guest for a single evening, and in places like New Jersey and New York City, far more.
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The five things that move your number most
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| 1 |
Your guest count
The single biggest factor. On average, 65–70% of the people you invite will attend a destination wedding. More guests means a higher wedding cost — but at many resorts, more rooms booked also means more concessions. Some brands offer free room nights and free events based on the size of your room block. (For our own wedding, 155 people traveled to the Caribbean, so we know big groups well!)
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| 2 |
Your resort & venue
Not every resort works for every budget. A five-star luxury experience calls for very different resorts than a large group on a tighter budget. On-site weddings are usually less costly than off-site venues, which earn no room-block concessions and add guest transportation.
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| 3 |
Photography & videography
Typically $1,800 to $10,000+, depending on the company and inclusions. Most resorts charge an outside vendor fee (around $1,500 per service, sometimes more), yet an outside photographer usually still delivers more for your money — and the style you love. Some resorts waive the fee if your vendor stays 3 nights in your room block.
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| 4 |
Decor & extras
Florals are where costs climb fastest — and with an ocean backdrop, you need fewer of them. Using the tables and chairs included in your package keeps costs down, too. One extra almost everyone needs: lighting, since most outdoor venues don't include it.
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| 5 |
The concessions you earn
Free room nights, complimentary events, upgrades — these vary enormously by resort brand. Choosing a resort with strong concessions can lower both your room and wedding costs, and it's one of the biggest ways we save our couples money.
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Costs couples don't see coming
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✓ Lighting for outdoor receptions
✓ Outside vendor fees for photographers, videographers or DJs
✓ Private reception venue fees (often $2,500–$3,500)
✓ Legal ceremony paperwork and fees (vs. a symbolic ceremony)
✓ Transportation for off-site venues
✓ Welcome parties, welcome bags and day-after events
✓ Floral, furniture and linen upgrades beyond the package
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The questions we hear most
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Do we have to pay for our guests' trips?
No. Guests traditionally cover their own flights and resort stay. Couples typically cover the wedding events themselves, and some choose to help with costs for parents or the wedding party — entirely up to you.
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Is a destination wedding really cheaper?
It depends heavily on the resort: the same 50 guests can cost $10,000 at one resort and $50,000 at another. But compare what you get: our $280–$425 average per guest covers your welcome party, rehearsal dinner and wedding day, plus days of time with everyone you love. At home, a similar per-guest cost buys one evening.
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How many people will actually come?
On average, 65–70% of your guest list attends a destination wedding, so if you invite 100 people, plan on roughly 65 to 70 saying yes. We'll help you plan your room block so you aren't over- or under-committed.
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How do room block concessions work?
As guests book rooms in your group, the resort rewards you — free nights for the two of you, complimentary events, upgrades and more, depending on the brand. We'll show you exactly what each resort offers before you choose.
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Can we bring our own photographer?
Usually, yes — with an outside vendor fee at most resorts. Ask us which resorts waive it when your photographer stays in your block.
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Legal or symbolic ceremony?
A legal ceremony abroad means extra paperwork, fees and sometimes additional requirements depending on the country. Many couples have a symbolic ceremony at the resort and make it legal at home — simpler and usually less expensive.
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When do we start paying?
Most resorts ask for a deposit to hold your date, with the balance due closer to the wedding. Guests pay for their own rooms on their own schedule. Every resort's terms differ, and we'll walk you through yours.
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How far ahead should we book?
Ideally 12–18 months out. Earlier booking means more date and venue choices and gives guests time to save.
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Does it cost extra to use a travel agent?
Our destination wedding planning is complimentary — we're compensated by the resorts and travel suppliers we book with, and your guests pay the same group rates either way.
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Before we talk: your must-haves
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Knowing your non-negotiables up front makes your budget far more accurate. Take a minute with these:
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○ Roughly how many guests do you expect to invite?
○ Is a ceremony arch a must?
○ Photo booth at the reception?
○ Wooden tables and chairs, or are the included settings fine?
○ A Crazy Hour during the reception?
○ Live band, or a DJ?
○ How important are photo and video to you?
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| A little gift from us |
| $500 off |
| your room |
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When you book your destination wedding with Here and Away Travel, just let us know this budget guide is what brought you to us, and we'll take $500 off your stay.* Consider it our first wedding gift to you!
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*Valid for wedding groups with a minimum 10-room block.
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Let's plan your celebration together
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We'd love to set up a complimentary call to talk through your budget and what you're dreaming of, and to get to know each other a little. Just send us an email at Groups@HereAndAwayTravel.com with a few times that work for you, and we'll take it from there.
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P.S. Ocean views, sandy toes and everyone you love in one place? Those dates go fast. Popular weekends book 12–18 months out, so if you have a date in your heart, let's make sure it's still yours.
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Jessica Sbriscia & Jayme Cornine
Here and Away Travel
908.758.3640
Groups@HereAndAwayTravel.com
www.HereAndAwayTravel.com
See our couples, travels and reviews on Instagram
@HereAndAwayTravel
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*National, state and city figures from The Knot 2026 Real Weddings Study (10,474 US couples married in 2025); they reflect ceremony and reception costs only. †Miami figure from Zola's 2025 wedding cost data. Our $280–$425 per-guest range reflects our experience with all-inclusive resort weddings and covers all wedding events; your actual cost depends on your resort, package and guest count.
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