If you're like most engaged couples, you have probably been spending a lot of time researching the various ways to host a wedding ceremony and reception. You might be asking yourself questions like, "what type of wedding do I want to have?" "Do I want to get married in a luxurious reception hall in the middle of Cancun or in my parents' backyard?" "Should I have a small intimate ceremony at the courthouse or a guest list of 1,000 of my closest friends?"

Whatever your dilemma, it's always a good idea to check out the various ways people celebrate their marriage by researching and figuring out which ways are and are not for you. In this article, we will discuss some aspects of planning a perfect, budget-friendly, destination wedding. Whether you have already decided you want a destination wedding, or are just researching it for the first time, hopefully, this information will be helpful for you. 

Destination 

Picking the perfect destination is essential to planning a destination wedding. Things you might want to consider when picking a destination are your budget, your ability to get the friends and family you want to the location, your options in terms of how you will travel, and to whom you'll send wedding invitations. While all of those things are important, the most important thing for you to consider when planning a destination wedding is the climate and time of year that you want to get married in. 

Travelling can be exciting; however, many destinations outside of the United States have different climates during different times of the year than you do at home. For instance, if you want a beach wedding in the state of Ohio, you might pick the month of June as the perfect time because it is warm outside yet not too humid like the months of July or August. 

However, if you want a beach wedding in Cancun, you might pick the month of November because July through September is the rainy season and June might be cutting it too close. The choice of climate will be completely up to the groom and bride. It is, however, also important to consider your guest list and the type of location that will be fun for your guests as well since they will likely take vacation time off work and spend a lot of money traveling. The last thing you want is for your guests to hate the location and dread going. 

Saving Money 

The BBB reports that, for people who want to get married in the United States, the average cost of a wedding here is $35,329. For most Americans, that kind of money is not easy to come by. Even with the help of generous parents and the couples' combined incomes, it can take years to come up with that much cash to spend on a one-day event. Fortunately, there are ways to cut down destination wedding costs. Some of these ideas might work for you while others might not. These ideas range from keeping the guest list small, picking a place to travel that is closer, and being intentional about looking out for extra savings and deals whenever possible. Regardless, the most important thing is to pick a budget you can afford and stick to it. 

Many couples want to have extravagant weddings and get caught up in the thrill of it all that they compromise in small ways that add up to a hefty bill by the end of the wedding. One of the most helpful things you can do is set limits and ask someone to hold you accountable for sticking to those limits.