Are Hyper-Local Weddings Less Expensive Than Destination Weddings?

Choosing between a destination wedding or staying local? Take a look at “hyperlocal weddings” and how to plan one that saves you money.

Consider this your invitation to a “non-destination” wedding. With gas prices on the rise, the cost of flights skyrocketing, and hotels charging four-star rates for two-star rooms, many couples are considering hyperlocal weddings to save money.

“Hyperlocal” weddings are basically the opposite of a destination wedding. Everything is sourced and celebrated locally – local wedding venue, local florist, local wedding ring designers or dress shops, and even local beers and wines at the wedding reception.

In a small town, this might mean planning a wedding that utilizes the skills and talents of your friends and neighbors, and can be an incredible opportunity to celebrate community alongside your marriage. In a big city, this might mean meeting the talented professionals who live all around you – many for the first time – and supporting your local economy while celebrating your love.

Hyperlocal weddings have a certain charm, a wholesome community-rallying-together element that destination weddings can’t match. Think Gilmore Girls, or Heartstopper, or Schitt’s Creek, versus Wedding Island, Platinum Weddings, or White Lotus.

But which option is actually more affordable? Which one's better for your wedding budget? 

Related: How to Budget for a Wedding: 8 Simple Steps

Reddit boards and wedding forums are filled with couples asking how to decide between a destination wedding and a local wedding. For some people, the decision comes down to complicated family dynamics, or marrying out of town to avoid drama. For many people, though, the decision really comes down to cost. They want whichever option saves the most money on wedding costs.

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Which costs less, a destination wedding or a local wedding?

So, are local weddings actually less expensive than destination weddings? You’re not flying or driving anywhere, and that has to save money – right? Well, public opinion on the potential savings is split.

“A destination wedding is cheaper for the couple because it pushes the costs off to the guests,” one Reddit user says.

Another user disagrees, saying, “[Destination weddings] aren’t the “cheap” option they used to be. We still ended up spending about 25K-30K between the ceremony, extra welcome party, our own travel [and] stay and misc. stuff like my dress, welcome bags, etc.”

A closer look at the costs of each option

On the one hand, a destination wedding at a resort or all-inclusive wedding venue can make costs feel more manageable. There are fewer line-items to keep track of, and often, fewer guests attend – which can lower the final guest headcount and costs for catering and entertainment.

But this points to a major wedding-planning paradox: destination weddings can be cheaper because they force a smaller guest list, not because of the location. Friends and relatives who can’t afford to travel, or can’t manage the logistics because of work or kids, just don’t come, keeping your total headcount lower. Local weddings that are easy for loved ones to attend can cost double or triple the price, because services like seating and catering are frequently based on the number of people attending.

Of course, couples can get many of the cost-saving benefits of destination weddings in their own city, by purchasing an all-inclusive wedding package or simply keeping the guest list small. Local weddings also eliminate travel costs for the couple – and that’s no small savings considering how expensive gas and flights are right now.

But there are financial drawbacks to local weddings too, like local vendors and supplies costing more than big-box items. While you might love the ethics of “support local” and hiring neighborhood small businesses, these custom boutiques, local breweries, and small restaurants frequently charge premium prices (which are necessary for them to cover their own costs and stay in business!). Giant corporations can afford to cut costs on products because they pay low wages, take advantage of low-cost imports, or receive funding from sources other than sales, and other methods which small businesses can’t compete with.

These perspectives add interesting complications to the equation. What’s cheaper for a couple might not be cheaper for their guests, or better for the community.

As one newlywed shares: “In the end, we had a more intimate wedding at home because I didn't want to ask everyone to travel for my wedding. Although, everyone says it's an "invite not a summons", there will be a subset of people who feel obligated or pressured to make it happen, whether or not they want to travel or can afford. Think longstanding close friends and family members.”

Another user points out, “I can't think of any other industry, or any other time in my life where I have financially supported this many local, small, independent businesses and artists…Without 'unnecessarily expensive' weddings I would guess that many people would be without jobs. I am happy to [spend] any amount of money that I had in this way.”

In the end, budgeting might come down to which type of savings is more important to you – yours or your family and community’s. Luckily, there are many ways to make a hyperlocal or mostly-local wedding less expensive too. We cover a few of them below.

How to Plan a Hyperlocal Wedding That Saves You Money

• Skip the big commercial wedding venues. Research public parks, covered pavilions, and community centers with full amenities like a kitchen and restrooms. These public options usually charge hourly or daily rates that are a fraction of the cost of a traditional wedding venue – like $50 or $100 an hour, instead of $1,000 to $2,000 an hour.
• Shop all-inclusive packages locally, and watch out for hidden add-ons. If you love the idea of a traditional venue, check out locally-offered tiered-pricing and all-inclusive wedding packages, which can be less overwhelming to budget for. Pay attention to exactly what’s included in your package, along with any items that might cost extra, such as chair and table rentals, cleanup costs, or menu substitutions.
• Stick with seasonal and locally-available flowers, food, desserts, and drinks. Talk with your local florist about what’s in bloom nearby on your wedding date to avoid expensive out-of-season florals that have to be shipped in. The same advice goes for your dinner menu and drink list!
• Embrace the intrinsic “community-rallying-together” charm of local weddings. Hire people from your immediate community. Reach out to student photographers, vendors that are just getting started, friends who bake or craft, and local musicians and seamstresses who can contribute to your celebration. Check local used marketplaces for expensive items like gowns, suits, jewelry, and tablesettings, as well as local wedding rental companies.
• Ask a friend or parent to officiate your wedding ceremony. Create a truly intimate wedding experience by asking your best friend, favorite school teacher, or grandparent to be your wedding officiant. This eliminates the need to hire a professional, with the added bonus of being married by someone who knows and loves you. Friends and relatives can get ordained online free with American Marriage Ministries to officiate your wedding. Just click the link below to get started. 

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Explore Affordable Wedding Ideas from American Marriage Ministries

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• Plan Your Entire Wedding at Costco

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