Have you already chosen a wedding date for exchanging vows in the presence of your closest friends? Planning destination weddings is the beginning of a kind of excitement.
Here we will transparently present all the details and all the costs of a wedding in this wonderful country, which you can expect during the planning process so that you can be sure that your day will be amazing and affordable.
Generally speaking, the idea that Spanish weddings are quite affordable is popular. But the reality is a bit more complicated. Although Spain may not be the cheapest option, it will give you value for your money. Imagine dinner with delicious dishes while soaking up the warm Spanish sun, this country offers much more than you imagine.
Here we will analyze the average destination wedding costs that are included in the wedding so that you can have a more accurate idea of how much your dream day will cost.
Now, let's dwell on the financial side of destination weddings to discover the real value of saying "I do" in this vibrant country.
What is The Average Cost of a Destination Wedding
International Destination Weddings: A Combination of Love and Authenticity
As we mentioned before, Spain offers good value for money as a wedding destination, but affordability does not mean cheapness. In the process of organizing a destination wedding, hiring an experienced wedding planner is not only a choice but a necessity.
Partnering with a planner not only makes the planning journey enjoyable and easy but also saves a significant amount of time, stress, and money, which is especially helpful when you have to navigate the linguistic intricacies of the Spanish environment.
If you want to find out about all the advantages of a wedding planner, you can look at our previous post. Here we will focus more on the average destination wedding cost and how to manage the destination wedding budget.
Wedding Coordinator in Spain: Your Ticket for a Flawless Wedding Party
Going to a destination wedding in Spain comes with complications, especially if you don't speak the local language and don't know the local customs. The range of costs for wedding planners is quite wide and is determined by the level and quality of services provided.
Our approach at The Planner Co. is exclusively focused on the client. We explore countless options to find what fits your vision, we advise based on what's important for you and go by your side for the whole process of the wedding.
The approximate budget for a wedding coordinator, depending on the size of the wedding and the needs, is from 6,000€ to 15,000€ for planning services, where you will get a day without stress and problems.
Local Wedding: Choosing the Perfect Wedding Venue
The venues in Spain are as varied as the landscapes themselves, and range from all-inclusive resorts and beach ceremonies to rustic wineries and mountain lodges.
The cost of venues can vary from 0€ to 12,000€, and some facilities offer all-inclusive packages that include the cost of the place and catering or even accommodation depending on the number of guests attending.
Choosing the perfect place involves careful and extensive research and consideration of several factors including, but not limited to, the venue's policy on partnerships with local vendors, any noise or entertainment restrictions, hours of operation, guest list, and exclusivity of use of the location for your wedding.
Ceremony Like You Imagined: The Chosen Destination for Unforgettable Memories
The type of symbolic ceremony at an international destination wedding, which can be a conventional church wedding or a moving blessing at the location of your choice in some of the wedding resorts, has a significant impact on its cost and atmosphere.
In Spain, church weddings are generally performed with a donation of 200€ to 900€, which goes towards the maintenance and services of the church. If you decide to have a venue blessing, the cost of hiring a celebrant will be between 500€ and 900€. But If you do a blessing, you need to have in mind adding elements such a chairs, altar, etc.
Whether you exchange vows in a historic cathedral or under the sky of Spain, each choice combines cultural authenticity with personal significance, ensuring that your union is celebrated in a way that means something to you and your partner.
Catering: Culinary Refreshments During the Rehearsal Dinner And a Cocktail Hour
The feast is a defining aspect of Spanish weddings that mirrors the country’s love for good food. Although the prices of the initial menu might look high, the value comes out when one sees what is included in the pack.
A typical catering wedding package includes a 1.5-hour cocktail reception with live cooking stations, and then a feast of 2-3 courses. The drink flows generously from the beginning, with a variety of local beers, wines, and soft drinks, even extending to an open bar for 3-4 hours during the event. Finally, the midnight snacks should not be forgotten, a sweet end to the celebration.
Spanish catering focuses on fresh, locally grown, and seasonal products that greatly improve the flavour and quality of each dish. The price changes from 100€ to 250€ per person and is influenced by location, season, guest count, and the day of the week, with an average cost generally falling between 180€ and 200€.
Also, some caterers provide extra services such as flowers, table settings, and even DJ services. At The Planner Co., we appreciate the freedom to modify these elements to harmonize seamlessly with your dream wedding.
Decoration: Establishing the Setting
And the next stage that is also very crucial is to decide what amount of money you will spend on decoration and it should be made together with the choice of a place.
Picking an environment that is already beautiful will eliminate the need for extra embellishments and hence the total cost will be cost-effective and the place will for sure stay attractive.
In addition, selecting a place that already has nice furniture and chairs, for instance, will cut down your expenses. Seasonal flowers are also a good choice if the wedding is during the peak season, as they are also quite cheaper and more durable.
Trust your wedding planner to do these details for you so that you can make use of your decoration budget. The cost of this joy starts at 1500€ and above.
Audiovisual & Music
Options are limitless in this area. It could be the fiery and fervent playing of a flamenco guitar, the harmonic grace of a string quartet, or the soulful resonance of a live band and the rhythmic charm of jazz.
The base price for musicians starts at 400€ per artist and then goes up depending on what you choose and how popular is the band. While a selected list or DJ can maintain the energy of your party, a live band’s performance creates an ambiance and encourages your guests to come and dance.
Capturing Moments: Photography & Videography at Destination Wedding
In Spain, there is a saying that goes “Para Gustos Colores” which could be translated to “For every taste, there are different colors”.
However, there are many good photographers at most destination weddings, and that is why it is important that the wedding couple carefully study a portfolio, look at recordings and pictures from weddings and other events, and choose what they like the most and what suits their wedding.
Their prices for wedding packages are not fixed and can vary from 1,800€ to 10,000€ or even more if you hire a professional with more expertise or who works for a longer period or has a large team.
The work of an experienced photographer will ensure that every touch of your big day is beautifully captured in images that shine with beauty and emotion.
Stationery and Wedding Websites: Digital Elegance and Classic Accents
Stationery and digital representation of your wedding, including invitations and your wedding website, fuse the traditional and contemporary aspects without affecting your overall wedding budget. The use of the digital approach can also cut costs and reflect a modern thrifty way of life.
For those who wish to use a digital medium to share their story, bespoke wedding websites cost between 600€ and 1.500€, providing a personalized digital space to interact with guests. On the other hand, there are off-the-shelf website solutions that cost between 0€ and 150€ and offer an affordable way to keep your wedding’s digital presence alive.
For traditional wedding stationery enthusiasts, the cost of physical wedding invitations ranges from 3€ to 15€ per piece. This variation covers the diversity in materials, designs, and customization options that will enable you to select an invitation that reflects your wedding theme and personal style.
Elevating Your Look: Hair, Makeup, and Attire
For your wedding day glam, hair, and makeup services span from 500€ to 1,500€, inclusively offering a trial session to ensure every detail aligns with your vision.
Pricing varies based on the stylist's renown, the convenience of location—be it at your home or the venue—and whether you opt for both hair and makeup services. This trial is an essential step to guarantee your look perfectly complements your style and the whole wedding party's aesthetic.
Selecting the Perfect Wedding Attire
While Spain is home to exceptional wedding dress designers, we typically advise our international brides to purchase their gowns locally to avoid multiple trips for fittings.
However, if you're able to visit Spain for dress appointments, the selection is vast and varied. Ready-to-wear gowns begin at 3,000€, with bespoke haute couture creations reaching up to 20,000€, offering a range of styles to suit every bride's dream.
For grooms, attire options are equally diverse, with suits and accompanying accessories like watches and cufflinks ranging from 200€ to 1,500€, ensuring that grooms look their best on the big day.
With those details, you will be able to get a good sense of the cost of a destination wedding in Spain. But of course, this could be very different depending on your need, the exact location and date of your wedding, etc. For further advice, arrange a consultation call with the team so we can help you getting the most of your budget.
