Congratulations on getting married to the love of your life! As the big day arrives, we are sure you must be feeling anxious with doubting thoughts. We understand planning takes a lot of time and effort, figuring out the vendors, venue, menu, caterers, decor, and tons of other things. There are a lot of big and small decisions that you need to consider before finalizing. This takes an even bigger toll when planning a destination wedding on a budget. Brides often think planning a Hawaii special day is pricy. Even though Hawaii may sound expensive, it is possible to plan a wedding of your dreams even if you are low on budget. The experts at Hawaii Wedding Minister are professionals, so we have compiled some tips on planning your epic day on a budget.
How to Seamlessly Plan a Destination Wedding on a Budget
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Weekday wedding
Getting married on a weekday is one of the best ways for cheap destination weddings. Why? Weekends are always popular days of the week. Most of the beaches and parks are crowded with people. Therefore, we recommend getting married on weekdays to avoid the crowd and exchange “I dos” in peace. On weekdays, you would have more options to choose from: the venues, beaches, catering, and more. Also, you may be able to fetch better deals and offers as vendors are available to make bookings at lower rates.
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Limit guest list
When planning a destination wedding on a budget, consider the size of your guest list. It’s natural for you to want to include all of your family and friends on your big day. But what you don’t realize is that the price can quickly go up. We suggest inviting only close family and friends who truly matter and would genuinely be happy for your new beginnings. In essence, choose quality over quantity.
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Avoid summers
Summers in Hawaii are always busy because it is vacation time, and the islands are flooded with tourists. Therefore, try to choose a date during the fall, winter, or spring. During this time, you will find fewer crowds, and it will help you save a lot of money overall.
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Prepare early
It is always a good idea to start working early. No matter whether you have a year or a few months to plan, gear up and start planning. Why? It will give you and the vendors plenty of time to plan things around and make changes wherever necessary. Doing so will not only help lower the wedding destination cost but will also put all the prospective suppliers in a position of well-preparedness for the big day. Also, you will be able to make the flights and hotel bookings on time, which can save you a lot of money.
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Choose those Hawaii traditions that resonate with you
Sometimes, couples are ready to integrate every Hawaiian cultural aspect into their wedding, including the chants, lei exchange, hula dancers, etc. However, you don’t necessarily have to include all of it. Therefore, you should choose aspects of their heritage that resonate with you. Just because you are getting married on this gorgeous island doesn’t mean you need to include everything. Relax and be at ease. The day is truly yours, so make it as authentic as you and your fiance like.
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DIY decor
Be creative and create DIY decor for more affordable destination weddings. You may incorporate natural elements like tropical flowers into your bouquets and centerpieces. The best thing is having your friends and family create beautiful and unique decorations to help reflect your personal style. If you are planning to take care of decor on your own, ensure you have the appropriate manpower. Avoid doing everything on your own, it’s your wedding, and you must relax!
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Rent instead of buying
Brides should consider renting items for the day instead of going all out and purchasing expensive stuff, including flowers and decor. Renting would be much better for a destination wedding on a budget. Plus, after the wedding, you don’t have to worry about them. Renting will allow you to allocate more money for other things that are important to you.
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Book a Hawaii wedding package
Choosing a package is the perfect way to have a destination wedding on a budget and save time, too. For most cheap destination weddings, a package or a planner isn’t a must-have, but for gatherings that require more traveling, it is an incredibly smart investment. The all-inclusive packages will take care of all the essential details so you can relax and enjoy your special day with peace of mind. At Hawaii Wedding Minister, we offer four packages to couples. They can choose the packages and services and have them customized as per their preferences.
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- Aloha Package (Basic package)
It is a basic destination wedding on a budget package that includes all basic items. Like the wedding ceremony location of choice, up to 20 guests, commemorative certificate, registration and other paperwork. Whether you want beach elopement or a venue to host the celebrations, you can choose from a diverse range of locations to fit your budget. - Mango Package
The wedding destination cost of this package is a bit more expensive than the previous one, but it includes all the insurance and permits you would need. - Coconut Package
The coconut package comes with professional photography services, a 60-minute photo session, and a minimum of 80 images. - Pineapple Package
The Pineapple package is our best and an all-inclusive package that includes all of our services. You can also take advantage of our in-room hair and makeup services for the bride.
- Aloha Package (Basic package)
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Prioritize
Lastly, what we would recommend for an affordable destination wedding is prioritizing! So, prioritize what is important to you and your partner. If planning an outdoor wedding on the beach amidst breathtaking views is your dream, allocate a budget towards it, the photographer, videographer, etc. By having your priorities set, you will have more clarity and can allocate the budget accordingly.
Destination Wedding on a Budget Without Sacrificing Quality
With these tips in mind, planning a magical destination wedding on a budget in Hawaii is surely possible. Remember, what truly matters is your love, being surrounded by your close loved ones in gorgeous places on the earth. So focus on what truly means to you and exchange what I do on a magical sunset evening.
If you found our article helpful, don’t forget to read through our blogs for more inspirational ideas. Moreover, fill out the contact page or continue to the “Locations“, “Wedding packages“, or “Services” pages for additional details.