When it comes to weddings, couples often dream of celebrating their special day uniquely and memorably way. A destination wedding can be an excellent choice, allowing you to exchange your vows in a picturesque location while creating lasting memories. However, many people assume that destination weddings are expensive affairs. In this blog post, we will share some tips on how to plan a low budget destination wedding in India.

Choosing a Destination in India

India is a vast and diverse country, with something to offer couples of all budgets. Here are a few of the most popular and affordable destinations for destination weddings in India:

Goa

Goa is a beach lover’s paradise, with stunning beaches and vibrant nightlife. It is a popular destination for couples who want a relaxed and informal wedding. Accommodations in Goa are relatively affordable. There are many budget-friendly resorts and guesthouses in Goa, and you can find vendors to help you plan your wedding for a reasonable price.

The average cost of a destination wedding in Goa for a guest list of 100 people is around ₹10-15 lakhs.

Shimla

Shimla is a beautiful hill station in the Himalayas that’s perfect for a winter wedding. It’s known for its colonial architecture, charming streets, and stunning views. There are many affordable hotels and resorts in Shimla that can accommodate weddings, and the food is also very affordable.

For 100 guests can cost anywhere from INR 10 lakh to INR 15 lakh. This includes the cost of flights, accommodation, food, drinks, activities, and entertainment

Kerala

Kerala: Kerala is known for its beautiful backwaters, lush green hills, and friendly locals. It is a popular destination for couples who want a more traditional Indian wedding. Accommodations in Kerala can be more expensive than in Goa, but many affordable options are still available.

There are many beautiful backwaters and resorts in Kerala that offer wedding packages for couples on a budget. The average cost of a destination wedding in Kerala for a guest list of 100 people is around ₹12-18 lakhs.

Related Post: 9 Things to Do in Kerala That Will Make You Fall in Love

Kovalam

Kovalam is a beautiful beach town in Kerala that’s perfect for a destination wedding. It’s recognized for its relaxed vibe, lovely beaches, and wonderful seafood. There are many affordable resorts and hotels in Kovalam that can accommodate weddings, and the food is also very affordable.

A destination wedding in Kovalam for 100 guests can cost anywhere from INR 15 lakh to INR 25 lakh. This includes the cost of flights, accommodation, food, drinks, activities, and entertainment.

Rajasthan

Rajasthan is famed for its forts, palaces, and deserts. It is a popular destination for couples who want a fairytale wedding. Accommodations in Rajasthan can be expensive, but there are some affordable options available if you are willing to stay in guesthouses or homestays. You can have a beautiful wedding in Rajasthan without breaking the bank.

The average cost of a destination wedding in Rajasthan for a guest list of 100 people is around ₹15-20 lakhs.

Andaman Islands

The Andaman Islands are an array of islands in the Bay of Bengal. They are noted for their stunning shores, crystal-clear lakes, and lush green woods. It is a popular destination for couples who want a secluded and romantic wedding. Accommodations in the Andaman Islands can be expensive, but there are some affordable options available if you are willing to stay in budget-friendly resorts.

The average cost of a destination wedding in the Andaman Islands for a guest list of 100 people is around ₹20-25 lakhs.

 Alibaug

Alibaug is a beautiful beach town in Maharashtra that’s perfect for a destination wedding. It’s known for its relaxed atmosphere, beautiful beaches, and delicious seafood. There are many affordable hotels and resorts in Alibaug that can accommodate weddings, and the food is also very affordable.

For 100 guests can cost anywhere from INR 10 lakh to INR 15 lakh. This includes the cost of flights, accommodation, food, drinks, activities, and entertainment.

Have a small wedding

Having a small wedding is one of the best ways to save money on your destination wedding. The fewer guests you invite, the less you’ll have to spend on food, drinks, activities, and entertainment. You’ll also save money on the cost of the venue, photographer, videographer, and other vendors.

If you’re on a tight budget, you may want to consider inviting only your closest friends and family to your destination wedding. This will ensure that your wedding is intimate and personal, and it will also help you save money.

Plan During Off-Season

Planning your wedding during the off-season is a great way to save money on your destination wedding. Weddings during the off-season (June-September) are typically less expensive than weddings during the peak season (October-March). This is because there are fewer tourists during the off-season, which means that there is less demand for wedding venues, vendors, and accommodations. Here are some benefits of off-season weddings.

• Lower prices: Wedding venues, vendors, and accommodation are typically cheaper during the off-season.
• Less competition: There is less competition for wedding venues, vendors, and accommodation during the off-season. This means that you’ll have more options to choose from and you may be able to negotiate better prices.
• More availability: There is more availability for wedding venues, vendors, and accommodation during the off-season. This means that you’ll have a better chance of getting the venue and vendors you want on your desired dates.
• Better weather: The weather is typically better during the off-season in many parts of India. This means that you can enjoy your wedding day without having to worry about rain or extreme heat.

Doing your research

Doing your research is one of the most important things you can do when planning a destination wedding, especially if you’re on a budget. There are many different vendors and services available in India, and it’s important to compare prices and get quotes from multiple vendors before making any decisions.

• Start early: The earlier you start researching, the more time you’ll have to compare prices and get quotes from multiple vendors.
• Use online resources: There are many online resources that can help you with your research, such as wedding websites, forums, and blogs.
• Talk to friends and family: Talk to your friends and family who have been married in India or who have planned destination weddings. They may be able to give you some valuable advice and recommendations.
• Attend wedding expos: Wedding expos are a great way to meet vendors and get quotes in person.
• Be prepared to bargain: Don’t be frightened to negotiate with suppliers. Many vendors are willing to negotiate prices, especially if you’re booking early.
• Get everything in writing: Make sure you get everything in writing, including the price, the services that will be provided, and the payment terms.

DIY

DIY, or do-it-yourself, is an ideal way to save money on your destination wedding. There are several things you can do yourself, such as:

• Planning: You can save money by planning your wedding yourself. There are many resources available online and in libraries that can help you plan your wedding.
• Decorating: You can save money by decorating your wedding venue yourself. There are many DIY wedding décor tutorials available online.
• Food: You can save money by catering your own wedding. There are many online resources that can help you find recipes and tips for catering your own wedding.
• Flowers: You can save money by buying your own flowers. There are many flower markets in India where you can buy flowers at wholesale prices.
• Music: You can save money by hiring a DJ or band yourself. There are many DJs and bands in India who are willing to work for a fraction of the cost of a traditional wedding band.
• Photography: You can save money by taking your own wedding photos. There are many affordable cameras and editing software available that you can use to take and edit your own wedding photos.
• Videography: You can save money by taking your own wedding videos. There are many affordable cameras and editing software available that you can use to take and edit your own wedding videos.

Seek the help of relatives and friends

Enlisting the help of your friends and family is a great way to save money on your destination wedding. Your friends and family can help you with many aspects of the wedding planning process, such as researching vendors, booking flights and accommodations, decorating the venue, cooking food, and taking photos. By enlisting the help of your loved ones, you can save money without sacrificing the quality of your wedding day.

Here are some additional tips for enlisting the help of your friends and family:

• Be clear about what you need help with.
• Be grateful for their help.
• Offer to pay for their flights and accommodation, if they are traveling to your destination wedding.
• Have fun with the planning process!