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In the past destination weddings were reserved for those who decided to elope or for those who were extremely wealthy and could afford to ship their guests wherever they wanted. Now destination weddings can be for anyone, if you start planning early and do your research. You may need a larger budget than you would for a regular wedding, but if you are a savvy shopper and great at bargaining, you might be able to get the destination wedding of your dreams without breaking the bank.

The first thing you need to do is to figure out what kind of budget you have. An elaborate destination wedding can be extremely expensive, while a simple wedding can end up being cheaper than a regular one at home. Some resorts offer all-inclusive wedding and honeymoon combo packages while others offer free weddings if you book your honeymoon stay with them. Make sure you go over all the details and fine print, because their version of a wedding may not be what you had in mind and the upgrades may be pricey. You need to know what the wedding package includes and what you will still need to provide.

The second thing you need to do is research and plenty of it. You might even want to take a trip and check out the location long before you put any money down on reservations. Things may not always be as they appear in a brochure or virtual tour. Something this important requires an in-person inspection. Another thing to research is the weather. Plan your visit at the same time of year your wedding will take place. You don’t want to plan a tropical wedding and find out too late you are getting married in hurricane season.