Cheapest Countries to Get Married Abroad: 24 Compared
Editorial teamUpdated October 24, 2026
Planning a destination wedding is as much about budget as it is about dreams. Prices vary enormously between destinations - an intimate beach wedding in Thailand can cost a fraction of a vineyard celebration in Tuscany. But where do you get the most value for your money? And which costs are easily forgotten?
We have grouped 24 popular wedding destinations into four price levels, from the most affordable to the most expensive. The comparison covers what you pay on site - venue, catering, photographer and basic decoration. Guest flights and accommodation are not included. We give no fixed price per country: venues and suppliers change their prices every season, so check their own published price lists or ask for a quote.
Wondering about the legal side? Read our guide to legally valid weddings abroad with rules and documents by country.
One of the most effective ways to reduce overall costs is combining your destination wedding with your honeymoon - our weddingmoon guide shows how one trip instead of two cuts out duplicate flights.
What couples actually budget: our 2026 briefs
This guide quotes no fixed prices, but we can show what couples themselves write when they send us a brief. A brief states the couple's budget before a single quote has been requested. It is not what the wedding ended up costing; it is what the couple had in mind at the start.
The figures cover 182 couples who wrote to us between 12 January and 17 October 2026. The median budget is 14,520 EUR, and the middle half of couples sit between 5,000 and 25,000 EUR. The median party is 40 guests, and the median budget per guest is 414 EUR. These figures are our own data, and a single wedding can cost less than the lowest or more than the highest figure shown here.
Guests
Couples
Median budget
1-20
62
4,675 EUR
21-50
57
17,400 EUR
51-100
47
25,000 EUR
Over 100
16
17,400 EUR
All couples
182
14,520 EUR
Budgets rise with the size of the party up to 100 guests. The group with more than 100 guests is only 16 couples, too few to read anything into.
Turkey and Sri Lanka have the lowest median budgets, but also the smallest parties. Basis: briefs sent to us between 12 January and 17 October 2026, with test and demo rows removed and each couple counted once using their latest brief (in the country table, once per country). Countries with fewer than five couples are left out. Figures computed on 17 October 2026.
Quick Overview: All 24 Destinations
Before we dive into detail - here's the big picture. We've grouped the destinations into four price levels, from the most affordable to the most expensive.
Budget-Friendly Destinations
These countries offer high-quality weddings at prices well below their European equivalents. The biggest savings come from food, staff and venue hire - not from cutting corners on quality.
Sri Lanka has emerged as one of the most interesting destinations for couples seeking tropical luxury without breaking the bank. Think beach ceremonies with palm canopies, local flowers and fantastic cuisine at a fraction of what the Maldives costs. Many resorts offer complete wedding packages.
Vietnam attracts with unique culture, spectacular gastronomy and beautiful venues in Da Nang, Hoi An and Phu Quoc. Service levels are high and staffing generous - you'll often get dedicated personnel that's missing in pricier destinations.
Thailand is the classic tropical wedding destination. Koh Samui and Phuket have an established wedding industry with English-speaking coordinators and all-inclusive beach packages.
Turkey offers European flair at Asian prices. Antalya and Bodrum are the best-known wedding areas. Turkey also has the advantage of comparatively short flights from most of Europe and excellent hotel standards.
Jamaica attracts with all-inclusive packages where everything from ceremony to cocktail party is included.
Mid-Range
Here you'll find the best balance between European quality, beautiful settings and reasonable prices. This is also where the selection of English-speaking vendors is largest.
Croatia combines the Adriatic's crystal-clear waters with walled medieval towns. Split and Dubrovnik are the favourites, but Istria and Hvar offer more intimate alternatives at lower prices.
Portugal is the third most common country in the briefs above. It draws couples with fantastic gastronomy, beautiful nature from the Algarve to the Douro Valley, and prices that are generally below Italy and France. Vineyard weddings are a classic - Portugal has many quintas (wine estates) offering wedding packages.
Greece offers everything from Santorini's iconic sunsets and whitewashed churches to Crete's relaxed charm and Corfu's green landscapes. Santorini is the most expensive, while the mainland and lesser-known islands like Lefkada give more for your money.
Spain has the greatest variation of all destinations. Andalusian fincas, Barcelona's design hotels, Mallorca's stone villas and the Canary Islands' beaches - all with completely different price profiles. Mallorca and Ibiza are premium-priced while the Costa del Sol and Alicante area offer excellent value.
Cyprus and Malta are underrated gems. Cyprus has beautiful nature. Malta has historic charm, English as one of its two official languages and short distances across the island.
Morocco delivers a completely unique experience. Think riad ceremonies in Marrakech, dinner under the stars in the desert, or beach weddings in Essaouira. The exchange rate means you get a lot of luxury for your money.
Mexico and the Dominican Republic are Caribbean dreams with a well-established wedding industry. Tulum, Cancún and Punta Cana offer all-inclusive packages that simplify planning considerably.
Costa Rica combines tropical nature with adventure. Rainforest, volcanoes, beaches and wildlife - perfect for couples who want something beyond the ordinary. Manuel Antonio and Guanacaste are the best-known areas.
Premium Destinations
The classic dream choices. Higher prices, but with that comes a wedding industry that's extremely professional and accustomed to international couples.
Italy is the most sought-after destination by far. But prices vary enormously: Puglia and Sicily are noticeably cheaper than Tuscany and Lake Como, and the Amalfi Coast is another step up. Our recommendation: explore southern Italy for the best value with the same magical feeling.
France offers châteaux, vineyards and Provençal charm. Provence and Languedoc are considerably cheaper than the French Riviera and Paris. The Champagne region is a romantic middle ground.
Indonesia (Bali) delivers tropical luxury with fantastic service. Bali has a mature wedding industry with many experienced vendors. Ubud for rice fields and jungle, Seminyak for beach and parties.
Iceland and Norway attract couples who want dramatic Nordic nature. Midnight sun weddings, northern lights ceremonies, waterfalls as backdrop. Unique, but weather-dependent.
New Zealand is the dream for adventurous couples - helicopter weddings by mountain lakes, vineyards in Marlborough, or ceremonies on a glacier. Long travel time but unforgettable experience.
Faroe Islands is a unique niche. Raw, unspoiled nature, intimacy, and a feeling of being alone in the world. Perfect for elopements and small gatherings.
Read more: elopement guide for intimate ceremonies abroad
Luxury Destinations
Destinations where "luxury" is the standard - but prices vary enormously depending on ambition level.
South Africa is perhaps the best-kept secret on this list. Thanks to the exchange rate (ZAR), you get wine estates, safari lodges and Cape Town views at European mid-range prices. The food is world-class and the service culture deeply rooted.
Maldives is luxury by definition - every resort is a private island. Intimate, exclusive, with service beyond the ordinary. Best suited for couples marrying alone or with a handful of guests.
Dubai offers the most spectacular of all. World-famous hotels, private islands, rooftop ceremonies with skyline views. Reliable sunshine through the cooler months. But prices escalate quickly when you want the extras.
Switzerland has unmatched Alpine views but at Alpine prices. Lucerne, Zermatt and the Lake Geneva region are the best-known areas. Switzerland is the most expensive option on the list - but delivers a flawless experience.
Practical savings tips by budget level
A tight budget - Choose Turkey, Sri Lanka or Thailand. Focus on all-inclusive resort packages that include venue, catering and basic decor. Avoid peak season (July-August) and choose May or October instead. Keep the guest list short. Hire a local photographer instead of flying one in from home.
A mid-range budget - Portugal, Croatia and Crete offer excellent quality at this level. You can afford a dedicated wedding planner, a good photographer and a beautiful venue. The secret: choose a mid-range destination rather than the cheapest venue in an expensive destination.
A larger budget - This opens doors to Tuscany, Provence and private villas. Invest in an experienced local coordinator - they often pay for themselves through better prices and fewer mistakes. Prioritise the food experience - it's what guests remember most.
No fixed ceiling - Premium without limits. The Maldives, Iceland or a historic villa in Italy. Here it's about finding the right place and the right team, not saving money. A great coordinator and top-tier photographer are non-negotiable.
Top destinations in detail
Italy - The most sought-after choice. Tuscany, Lake Como and the Amalfi Coast lead the way; Puglia and Sicily offer the same magic at a lower cost. A legal ceremony is possible but needs a nulla osta from your embassy or consulate in Italy and documents translated into Italian. A symbolic ceremony in Italy plus a legal wedding at home avoids that paperwork.
Greece - Santorini is the most expensive but the most iconic. Crete is cheaper, with fantastic beaches and Venetian heritage. Corfu combines lush landscape with Venetian architecture. Best May-October.
Spain - Mallorca dominates with stone villas, olive groves and crystal-clear water. Andalusia offers fincas and flamenco. Ibiza has evolved from party island to luxury destination. The Canary Islands offer year-round sunshine.
Portugal - Europe's best-kept secret. Sintra, the Algarve and the Douro Valley offer fantastic food, friendly prices and beautiful scenery, generally for less than comparable Italian alternatives.
Croatia - Dubrovnik and Split deliver Mediterranean glamour at prices below Italy's. Crystal-clear Adriatic waters, historic city walls and excellent seafood. Hvar and Korčula for island weddings. Best June-September.
Where Do You Get the Most Value?
Looking at quality relative to price, four destinations stand out:
Portugal - Top European quality in food, service and setting, but generally cheaper than Italy and France. Vineyard weddings in the Douro or beach weddings in the Algarve.
Croatia - Mediterranean glamour without Mediterranean prices. Dubrovnik usually costs less than the equivalent on the Amalfi Coast, with equally beautiful scenery.
South Africa - Thanks to the exchange rate, you get luxury weddings with safari, wine estates and Cape Town views at a fraction of European prices. Longer travel time but a unique experience.
Turkey - All-inclusive weddings with European standards and short flight times. The Antalya coast offers packages that include almost everything.
What Affects the Price Most?
Regardless of destination, four factors have the biggest impact on total cost:
Guest count - The single biggest cost factor. Every extra guest adds food, drink, seating and staff, so a shorter guest list is the most direct saving there is.
Season - Getting married in low season lowers the price of venue and accommodation. In the Mediterranean, that means September-October or April-May - still warm but with lower prices. Avoid July-August in popular destinations.
Venue type - A private villa or castle costs considerably more than a boutique hotel or restaurant, and in Italy the venue alone can make a large difference to the total. Consider restaurant weddings or privately owned vineyards as alternatives.
Vendors - International vendors (like photographers and florists who travel to the destination) cost more than locals. Our recommendation: use local vendors for most things, but bring your own photographer if it matters - the photos are the only thing that lives on after the wedding.
Hidden Costs to Consider
Regardless of destination, costs that don't appear in the package price always arise:
Legal ceremony - Fees and paperwork vary widely from country to country. A symbolic ceremony on location plus a civil ceremony at home simplifies the paperwork and saves money.
Documents and certificates - A certificate of no impediment, an apostille and a certified translation can each carry a fee. Start the process early, as processing times vary.
Site visits - Plan for one or two trips before the wedding: meeting vendors, tasting menus, seeing the venue. Add flights and accommodation for each trip to the budget.
Currency risk - If you're paying vendors in local currency, the exchange rate can change between booking and payment. Especially relevant for Turkey (TRY), Thailand (THB) and Sri Lanka (LKR). Tip: lock the rate early through your bank.
Tips and service charge - In some countries a service charge is added on top of the price. Always ask if gratuity is included.
How Much Should You Budget?
A realistic rule of thumb: take the quotes for your destination and add a buffer for unexpected expenses, site visits, documents and extra details you haven't thought of yet. Couples who budget too tightly often end up having to compromise on things they didn't want to compromise on - and that's rarely a good start to a marriage.
Want to know what your dream wedding costs? Explore our detailed country guides with venues and local vendors - or send an inquiry directly to get tailored quotes. Once the quotes arrive, you can enter them as items in the budget in Our wedding, our planning tool, and see what you have agreed, what you have paid and what is left.
How to compare destinations correctly
Compare total cost, not just venue price - A cheap venue in an expensive destination can end up costing more overall. Always factor in: flights for all guests, accommodation (at least 2 nights), catering per person, photographer, coordinator, decor and transport. A cheaper venue in Puglia can lower the total more than a discount in Tuscany.
Currency effects - Destinations outside the eurozone (Turkey, Thailand, Sri Lanka) can offer real savings thanks to favourable exchange rates. But be aware of currency risk - lock the rate early via Wise if paying in local currency.
Peak season vs budget pricing - Peak season (June-September in the Mediterranean) is the most expensive. Shoulder season (May, October) offers similar weather at lower prices with fewer tourists. Winter season in the Maldives (November-March) is the most expensive but has the best weather.
Guest flights and accommodation - Flights and hotel nights vary widely with destination and season, so check current fares before you send the invitations. Always offer at least 2-3 hotel options at different price points so all guests can afford to attend.
Dreaming of a beach wedding? Read our complete beach wedding abroad guide with the best beaches by destination.
Count per guest, not as a lump sum
It is easy to carry a lump sum in your head - "we have 20,000 EUR" - but that figure rarely decides whether the budget stretches. The number you can actually compare between two destinations is the cost per guest. Guest count moves the final bill far more than the choice of country does: the same sum covers a lavish party for 20 or a simpler one for 60. So work backwards - split the budget into what is fixed and what grows with every place setting, then test different guest numbers against the same sum. Our cost calculator does exactly that split for you.
What is fixed and what grows with the guest list
The single most useful insight when budgeting: some costs are the same whether you are 20 or 60 guests, while others multiply with every person you invite. You carry the fixed items regardless; the per-guest items are where the guest list really shows up in the final bill.
Fixed costs (do not grow with the guest list)
Per-guest costs (grow with every place setting)
Venue hire
Food
Photographer and film
Drinks
Wedding planner or coordinator
Seating and table settings
Attire for the two of you
Serving staff
Permits and legal documents
Sometimes on-site transport
Travel and accommodation for the two of you
Sometimes an accommodation subsidy for guests
A few items can fall in either column depending on your setup. A coach that collects all the guests is a fixed cost, but if you subsidise hotel nights it becomes an item that grows with the number of guests instead.
How much season and currency swing the price
Two factors can change the same package considerably without you altering a single detail: season and exchange rate. Moving the wedding from peak to shoulder season (May or October in the Mediterranean instead of July-August) often lowers venue and accommodation costs noticeably. If you pay suppliers in a currency outside the euro - Turkish lira, Thai baht, South African rand - the rate can move a good deal between booking and final payment. So always count in ranges, not a single figure, and lock the exchange rate early if a large part of the bill is paid in local currency.
Ten guests fewer - the cheapest decision you can make
Before you compare destinations or negotiate with suppliers, test what ten guests fewer does to your numbers. Because the per-guest items - food, drink, seating, staff - are the ones that multiply, a shorter guest list delivers an immediate and predictable saving on each of them, while the fixed costs stay put. It is often the cheapest decision you can make and the one that moves the final bill the most. A shorter guest list can also be exactly what makes a pricier dream venue possible: the fixed costs are then carried by fewer place settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources and reliability
The budget and guest figures are our own data: briefs couples sent us between 12 January and 17 October 2026, with test and demo rows removed and each couple counted once using their latest brief. They were computed on 17 October 2026. A brief states a budget before any quote has been requested, not a final cost. The statement that Italy is the most requested country rests on the same briefs.
The four price levels for the 24 destinations are an editorial grouping, not measured prices. Always check each venue's own published prices for your date and guest count.
Official sources behind the facts in the text, read on 17 October 2026:
