Destination weddings range from intimate coastal ceremonies for thirty guests to five-day Indian celebrations for four hundred. The costs reflect that range. This guide presents the real numbers — by category, by destination, and with the context needed to set a budget that reflects what you actually want.
The Main Cost Categories
Venue Hire
Venue hire is typically the largest single line item. An exclusive-use estate charges for the right to occupy the property for the event period — often two to five days. A hotel venue may charge a minimum spend across accommodation and food and beverage, with or without an additional room hire fee.
Typical venue hire ranges:
- Intimate or civic venue: 5,000 – 15,000 EUR
- Mid-tier country house or boutique hotel: 15,000 – 30,000 EUR
- Premium estate, private villa, or luxury hotel: 30,000 – 50,000 EUR+
- Exclusive buyout of a significant property (peak season): 50,000 – 100,000 EUR+
Catering
Catering in Denmark typically falls in the range of 150 to 350 EUR per person for dinner. This rises when you include full-day catering across multiple events, premium drinks, or specialist cuisine requirements (Indian, kosher, halal).
For an 80-guest wedding, catering across a welcome dinner, the wedding day, and a farewell brunch can run to 50,000 – 120,000 EUR.
Photography and Videography
- Local photographer with a destination portfolio: 4,000 – 10,000 EUR
- International editorial photographer: 10,000 – 15,000+ EUR
- Videography: 3,000 – 8,000 EUR
- Second photographer: 1,500 – 3,000 EUR
Travel and accommodation for photographers brought in from abroad are separate.
Florals and Decoration
- Minimal, considered approach: 5,000 – 12,000 EUR
- Mid-scale design with ceremony and reception florals: 12,000 – 25,000 EUR
- Full design with architectural elements: 25,000 – 40,000 EUR+
For multicultural celebrations with specific ceremonial requirements — mandap decoration, for example — costs can exceed 50,000 EUR.
Music and Entertainment
- String quartet (ceremony, 2 hours): 2,000 – 4,000 EUR
- Live band (evening reception): 5,000 – 15,000+ EUR
- DJ (evening): 2,000 – 5,000 EUR
Planning Fees
Full-service destination wedding planning fees start from 8,000 EUR. Premium full-service engagements — multi-day celebrations, large guest counts, multicultural coordination — typically run from 20,000 EUR.
Costs by Destination
Denmark / Copenhagen
50,000 – 300,000+ EUR
Exceptional food culture. Direct flights from NYC, London, Dubai.
Mallorca
60,000 – 400,000+ EUR
Long season. High demand in May, June, September, October.
Tuscany
70,000 – 500,000+ EUR
Premium landscape. Strong international demand — book early.
Provence
65,000 – 450,000+ EUR
Deep culinary tradition. Excellent local vendor ecosystem.
Dubai
100,000 – 600,000+ EUR
Large-scale celebrations. Multi-day events common.
Mauritius
70,000 – 400,000+ EUR
Indian Ocean setting. Resort infrastructure. Complex logistics.
What Drives Cost Up
- Guest count. Every additional guest adds catering, transport, and scale-related venue costs. Adding 40 guests at 250 EUR/person across three meals = 10,000 EUR before everything else.
- Number of days and events. A three-day celebration typically costs 2.5–3x more than a single-day event. Multi-day Indian or multicultural programmes compound this significantly.
- Vendor calibre. The gap between a competent local photographer and an internationally recognised one is 5,000–8,000 EUR for the same coverage hours.
- Imported vendors. Flying vendors in from another country adds flights, accommodation, and often a travel day fee — potentially 15,000–30,000 EUR for a full vendor team.
- Peak season. June, September, and October command 20–40% venue premium at popular Mediterranean destinations.
What Drives Cost Down
- Weekday weddings. Many venues reduce fees 15–30% for Tuesday through Thursday.
- Off-season dates. Late October through March in Mediterranean destinations; April-May and September in Denmark.
- Smaller guest lists. The single most effective lever. A 50-guest wedding at a premium venue delivers a better experience than a 120-guest wedding at the same total budget.
- Local vendors. Eliminates travel costs. Often delivers higher quality through local expertise.
The Illustrative Budget Breakdown
The following example is based on an 80-guest, two-day celebration at a quality Danish coastal estate. Mid-tier of the Danish market — quality throughout, but not extravagant.
| Category | Estimated Cost (EUR) |
|---|---|
| Venue hire (2 days, exclusive use) | 25,000 |
| Catering — welcome dinner (80 × 180 EUR) | 14,400 |
| Catering — wedding day dinner (80 × 250 EUR) | 20,000 |
| Catering — farewell brunch (80 × 80 EUR) | 6,400 |
| Drinks package (2 days, premium) | 18,000 |
| Photography (2 days, 2 photographers) | 10,000 |
| Videography | 5,000 |
| Florals (ceremony, welcome dinner, wedding dinner) | 20,000 |
| Music and entertainment | 14,000 |
| Guest transport (2 days, coaches) | 4,000 |
| Hair and makeup (bridal party, 2 days) | 4,000 |
| Stationery and signage | 2,500 |
| Officiant and legal documentation | 1,500 |
| Accommodation for vendors | 1,800 |
| Wedding planner fee (full service) | 15,000 |
| Contingency (5%) | 8,000 |
| Total | 169,600 |
Hidden Costs to Plan For
- Local taxes and service charges. In France TVA is 20%; in Spain IVA is 21%. Confirm whether all quotes are inclusive or exclusive.
- Vendor overtime. If the celebration runs beyond contracted hours, vendors charge 200–500 EUR per hour per vendor.
- Flowers for non-reception spaces. Quoted floral budgets often exclude the welcome dinner, guest corridors, and farewell brunch.
- Corkage and vendor meals. Corkage fees apply if you bring your own wine. Vendor meals are typically required and invoiced separately.
- Gratuities. A total gratuity budget of 3,000–6,000 EUR on a mid-scale event is appropriate.
- Event insurance. Cancellation and postponement insurance: 500–2,000 EUR.
- Legal documentation. Translation, apostilles, and Familieretshuset requirements add 500–2,000 EUR for international marriages in Denmark.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do most couples spend on a destination wedding?
At a quality level — not extravagant, not budget — couples typically spend between 80,000 and 200,000 EUR for 50 to 100 guests in a European destination over one to two days. Multi-day celebrations, larger guest lists, and premium destinations push totals above 200,000 EUR.
Do guests pay for their own flights and accommodation?
In almost all cases, yes. Guest travel costs are the responsibility of each guest. Some couples negotiate preferential hotel rates or provide transfers from a nominated hotel to the venue, but this is a courtesy, not an expectation.
What is the minimum realistic budget for a destination wedding?
For a quality experience — good food, professional photography, considered florals — a minimum of 50,000–60,000 EUR for a 30–40-guest, one-day celebration in Europe is a realistic floor. Very modest elopements (2–10 people) can be done at lower cost, but these are a different category of event.
Should I include a wedding planner in my budget?
For any destination event, yes. Full-service planning (8,000–25,000 EUR) is appropriate for couples who do not want to manage vendor relationships and logistics themselves. Professional representation in a destination the couple does not know is not optional — it is how the event functions correctly.
Are destination weddings more expensive than local weddings?
Usually yes, for comparable quality. The difference lies primarily in logistics: vendor travel, guest transport, accommodation coordination, and the complexity of planning across a destination the couple does not know. The experience, however, is genuinely different — and for many couples, worth the additional investment.
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