Wedding price abroad: the cost of getting married overseas

Big day on the way? You might be wondering how to pay.

It’s no secret that weddings can be expensive, and if you’re getting married abroad, there’s extra costs to think about. To make sure getting hitched goes off without a hitch, you need a plan for managing finances and a clear picture of the total cost.

In this guide, we cover how much a wedding abroad costs, what factors impact pricing, and tips for keeping costs down. One of the biggest things you’ll need to consider is how to pay local and international wedding suppliers or vendors – your Spanish caterer or Greek photographer will expect payment in their currency, not yours.

The Wise account is the ideal multi-currency option for sending money abroad, perfect for nearly-weds looking to save on fees for their wedding plans.

Plus, making large transfers with Wise comes with extra support. You’ll have a dedicated large transfer team who can guide you through the process with discounted fees for big sums.

Simply email the team or request a call back using the form below.

Ask for a call back

How much does a wedding abroad cost?

The average cost of a wedding abroad for UK couples starts at a few thousand pounds, and can push beyond £20,000.¹

At the lower end, you’ll be looking at a cosier ceremony and fewer guests. The higher price will typically include a greater number of guests, prime location, and optional extras for decor, styling, and planning.

Compare this to the average cost of UK wedding – which now pushes beyond £20,000, and you could be looking at some serious savings.²

Of course, the figure for weddings abroad varies widely, and typically comes down to factors such as destination, venue, catering, guest numbers, and optional extras. We look closely at these factors in the following sections.

Average wedding abroad prices by destination

The price of a wedding abroad depends on the country and specific venue. There’s also local suppliers to think about – if you’re paying a Balinese wedding planner, or Spanish celebrant, you’ll need to pay in local currency. So, you’ll need to be mindful of exchange rates.

Here are some popular destinations and the average costs:

• Greece: A Greek wedding will set you back at least £2,000, and could push beyond £20,000 for a luxury location and premium package. There are plenty of options in locations such as Rhodes, Crete, and Kos that sit around the £5,000 mark.³
• Bali: An intimate wedding in Bali will likely cost you between £1,000 and £5,000. For something more luxurious, you can expect to pay £20,000 – sometimes more.⁴
• Barbados: The average cost of a wedding in Barbados is around £5,000, though you’ll likely pay more on top of this for accommodation. As with other destinations, small, intimate weddings are cheaper while larger Barbados weddings push into five figure sums.⁵
• Spain: Just a short flight from the UK, a small Spanish wedding could cost you as little as £2,000. Luxury weddings in locations such as Ibiza and Costa del Sol will cost you around £15,000.⁶

Factors affecting international wedding costs

There are lots of costs that go into an international wedding – but this also means there are plenty of things you can tweak to manage your budget. Some of the main factors affecting cost are:

• Venue: This is likely to be your biggest spend, so it’s worth doing your research and exploring lots of options
• Guest count: Many packages are built around the number of guests, which means fewer people equates to lower prices
• Time of year: Peak season weddings will cost you more than off-season weddings, and weekdays are likely to be cheaper than weekends
• Catering and styling: All-inclusive catering, florals, and decadent styling will push prices up
• Travel and accommodation costs: Generally, long-haul flights are more expensive than short haul ones, and hotel costs vary greatly
• Currency fluctuations: A change in the exchange rate between booking and paying wedding costs can impact how much you pay in pounds sterling

Using Wise can help you keep fees low for international payments*. You can set exchange rate alerts, which notify you when exchange rates move so you can get the best deal.

You also have the option of paying in the same currency if you already have money in your Wise account – meaning you can avoid exchange fees entirely.

With Wise, you can send secure and trackable large amount transfers to 140+ countries worldwide for low fees* and mid-market exchange rates.

Have a look at the main benefits for using Wise to send large transfers:

• Dedicated support for large transfers
• Fast and easy setup with no physical paperwork
• Low, upfront, transparent fees
• Fully trackable transfers
• Fast transfer times
• Two-factor authentication and real-time notifications

🌍 Open your Wise account

Breaking down destination wedding costs

Let’s look at the individual elements that make up a destination wedding, so you can decide where to spend your money and avoid wedding planning stress.

What's usually included in wedding abroad packages?

Generally speaking, a wedding abroad package typically includes:

• A wedding coordinator
• Ceremony venue
• An officiant or celebrant
• Floral arrangements
• Photography
• In some cases, legal fees and services associated with getting a marriage license

Unless you opt for a luxury package, it’s unlikely you’ll have the following included:

• Wedding reception and entertainment
• Flights and accommodation
• Bespoke decorations and styling
• Guest travel and accommodation

Some all-inclusive wedding packages will go the extra mile, with flights and accommodation included, plus a reception, and more decadent styling and floral arrangements. Understandably, these packages come at a higher cost.

Every package provider is unique, so it’s worth comparing multiple options to make sure all your non-negotiables are included. You might find that paying for things individually, such as the venue, wedding planner, and catering, works out cheaper than a package. Just make sure you have a plan for paying in local currencies.

Hidden costs of getting married abroad

Working out the costs of an international wedding can be complicated, especially since you may be switching between currencies and paying some suppliers in GBP, and others in their local currency.

Look out for hidden costs such as:

• Marriage licenses and official paperwork, document translation, apostle stamps, and official certificates required in some countries
• International bank transfer fees that might be charged on money sent to vendors abroad
• Exchange rate markups from certain banks. Try to get the mid-market exchange rate instead, because this is the one banks use to trade between themselves
• Local taxes on the venue, catering, or any other services, which aren’t always included in initial quotes

Saving money on your overseas wedding

With the average cost of a wedding in the UK climbing above £20,000, you might assume that getting married abroad gives you more for your money.

While it’s true that a small budget can go a long way, a wedding overseas requires careful planning and consideration to make it cost-effective. Here are some tips for having a dream wedding within budget.

Budgeting for a wedding abroad

The first step is working out what you have to spend. Perhaps you have a specific amount or ballpark figure in mind. Creating a spreadsheet where you can lay out each individual cost and tally them up can help you manage your budget. Play around with some example figures or quotes and estimates to see where you might need to adjust.

You can also divide up costs by priority. Categorise essentials, such as fees for getting a marriage license and hiring and officiant, as high priority. You might place bespoke floral arrangements and fancy food and drinks packages as lower priority – but this is entirely up to you. Once you’re sure you can cover all high-priority costs with your budget, you can decide how to allocate the rest of your budget.

Affordable destination wedding ideas

Mainland Greece and the surrounding Islands offer plenty of venues that cater to various budgets. So, if you’re happy to opt for something cosy and simple, Greece offers affordable destination weddings. Further afield, you can find package deals in the low thousands for Las Vegas, Mexico, and the Caribbean islands.

Generally speaking, less-touristy locations and a small guest list will help you keep things on the lower-cost side. Opting for a mid-week wedding might also save you money, seeing as many venues are more expensive on weekends.

Other options to consider include an elopement. If you’re keen to get family and friends involved, you could throw a party back home when you return – this will also save them the cost of flights and accommodation, so everybody wins.

Avoid hidden currency exchange fees

Currency exchange fees add up if you’re paying lots of international suppliers. Especially if you’re making individual payments for services and vendors, as opposed to paying a single package fee.

Using a multi-currency account, such as the Wise account, can help you keep costs down. Wise gives you the mid-market exchange rate, which is the one banks use to trade with each other. You also have the option of paying international suppliers in their local currency in 140+ and if you already have the currency in your account you can avoid exchange fees altogether – and put the money to work elsewhere on your wedding.

Planning your dream wedding abroad

Before you can get married in your dream location, you need to become an expert on the destination. That means researching local requirements, preparing paperwork, and getting friends, family, and vendors onboard.

Legal requirements for weddings abroad

Depending on the location, you’ll need certain documents to get married abroad. This typically includes things like birth certificates, passports, and a certificate of no impediment (CNI) or an affirmation. If you need a new birth certificate, this comes at a cost, and you’ll need to request it ahead of your wedding date.

You may also need documents translated into the destination country’s language, alongside original copies. Use the UK government tool to check which documents you need for getting married or registering a civil partnership abroad.

Some countries have minimum residency requirements, which means at least one partner needs to have lived in the country for a specific number of days. For example, if you plan to get married in France, one of you needs to have lived in the country for at least a month.⁷

Remember - this is not legal advice. Requirements change, and it’s always best to refer to UK government guidance and the embassy of your chosen destination wedding for further details.

Tips for planning a stress-free overseas wedding

Getting a destination wedding right requires that you think locally and internationally, considering your guests and UK marriage requirements, alongside international vendors and destination culture.

Here are some things that can help you keep the stress at bay:

• Hire a local wedding planner who can recommend local suppliers and prepare for your big day before you arrive
• Visit the location before if possible, to make sure it lives up to expectations
• Check legal requirements ahead of time, just in case there are documents or applications that need to be secured
• Give your guests plenty of notice, so they can make travel arrangements, let you know if they can’t make it, and find you the perfect wedding gift
• Research local customs and culture to make sure your wedding is aligned with the destination country
• Figure out a way to pay that keeps more money in your pocket, like using a Wise multi-currency account to pay international vendors early and avoid the stress of last minute fees and currency exchange costs

Save on your dream wedding abroad with Wise

Every wedding day has its surprises. With proper planning and organisation, you can make sure it’s only good surprises – like the perfect, unexpected wedding photo, or the hilarious dance moves your friends pull.

Research your destinations thoroughly, and compare the fine print of wedding package providers to make sure your needs are met. Keep friends and family in the loop, get ahead on legal requirements, and don’t forget your paperwork.

Make your money go the extra mile by ensuring you have a multi-currency account to handle international payments. With a Wise account, you can pay vendors in their local currency and avoid exchange rate fees. Or, use the Wise card and spend in 40+ currencies.

Sending large sums overseas doesn’t need to be a worry either – with Wise, you get a dedicated team to support you, and discounted fees for big amounts. All you need to decide is how you’ll spend your wedding budget.

Remember, if you’re planning to get married abroad and need to pay for vendors, paperwork or pay a venue deposit, Wise can help with sending large amounts, our dedicated team of experts are ready to assist with every step of your transfer. Simply email us or request a call back below.

📱Ask for a call back

Sources used in this article:

1. SN travel- the cost of getting married abroad
2. Hitched - average wedding costs
3. The wedding travel company - getting married in Greece
4. Tirtha - cost of a wedding in Bali
5. Destination weddings - cost of a wedding in Barbados
6. The wedding travel company - cost of weddings in Spain
7. French republic - marriage in France

Last checked on 1st Sep 2025