Kirsten Whiteley and Matt Lassaline and on their wedding day at the Ocean Coral Springs Resort in Jamaica. Photo credit: Sirenna Studio
Last month, Matt Lassaline and Kirsten Whiteley from Ontario tied the knot against the picturesque backdrop of the Caribbean Sea in Jamaica. Their intimate beach wedding turned out to be both a dream come true and a financially sensible decision.
Having purchased a house in 2021 and facing mortgage payments, the couple was keen to avoid the financial burden of a large traditional wedding. "We wanted something beautiful yet cost-effective," Whiteley shared with Global News, expressing their pleasant surprise at the affordability of a destination wedding.
Their one-week stay at a Trelawny resort, which included the wedding ceremony, cost approximately $18,000. This arrangement also allowed them to spend more quality time with their guests over the week, rather than rushing to greet everyone in a single day, Lassaline noted.
Despite rising travel costs, destination weddings are becoming increasingly popular among Canadians. Wedding specialists and travel agents report a significant rise in the number of couples choosing beach resorts for their nuptials, often finding them to be more economical than traditional hometown weddings.
"The demand for destination weddings has surged since the pandemic," said Susan Gill, a wedding specialist at Escapes.ca in Vancouver. Affordability remains a major draw, alongside the desire for scenic, multi-day celebrations.
Zerlene Mekdeci, a destination wedding specialist with Vacation Travel Group in the Greater Toronto Area, observed that more couples are opting for destination weddings due to the high costs associated with local weddings. "Historically, about 15 percent of Canadians would choose a destination wedding," she told Global News.
Mekdeci estimates that a destination wedding with 100 guests might cost around $30,000, compared to $60,000 for a similar-sized event in Toronto. However, with travel constraints, the average destination wedding hosts about 40 guests, reducing costs to approximately $18,000 to $20,000. "The guest count is a major budget determinant since costs are often per person," she explained.
Destination wedding packages typically cover all-inclusive vacations, the ceremony, bouquets, food, drinks, wedding cake, music, hairstyling, makeup, and photography. Additional expenses arise with extra décor or live entertainment. "The natural beauty of the location often means less need for extensive decorations," Mekdeci added.
Planning a local wedding can also be more time-consuming, as noted by Gill, due to the numerous details involved.
Leslie Rose from Newfoundland and her fiancé plan to marry in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, in October 2025. Their week-long festivities will include a rehearsal day, wedding reception, and resort activities, costing between $12,000 and $15,000. "We wanted to spend quality time with everyone and have a bigger celebration beyond just one day," Rose said, adding that their dream wedding abroad is more affordable than it would be in Canada.
Rising travel costs are a concern for couples and their guests. Mekdeci mentioned that guest expenses are a common worry. To save money, couples can choose different destinations or off-peak times. Popular, more affordable locations include Mexico and the Dominican Republic. Prices are typically lower from summer to fall compared to the peak season from Christmas to March break.
Some wedding packages offer promotions, such as one free guest for every 10, Mekdeci noted. Couples can also adjust the length of their stay to reduce costs. Rose and her fiancé, for instance, are offering guests the option of shorter stays.
Lois Barbour, owner of Travel Time Agency in St. John’s, N.L., suggested using points or miles to cut airfare costs. However, Barbour cautioned that destination weddings may not suit everyone, especially those who want every detail meticulously planned months in advance. "Type A personalities might find destination weddings challenging," she said.
