With the average wedding cost hovering around $30,000 you might just be surprised that a destination wedding can reduce your overall wedding costs, sometimes dramatically.

How, you ask? Given the current economic state brides and grooms are able to find great deals in places like Mexico and the Carribean. Destination weddings are also generally smaller than stateside weddings so what could have been a 150-200 person wedding in your home town can now become a 20-80 person wedding party. Destination wedding couples are also likely to get elements of the wedding such as ceremony space, reception space, and sometimes even the officiant thrown in as part of their wedding package at no cost.

It is important to keep your guests in mind though. While a destination wedding can reduce the overall cost of the wedding it can increase the cost for your guests. So picking a place that is easy to travel to can be important as this generally will mean multiple airlines will offer direct flights and competitive pricing from most major cities.

While a destination wedding may not help reduce the cost of your dress, the groom's tux, or your invitations, it can help reduce overall costs and the cost of your honeymoon...because why leave paradise?