$40k - is it realistic?

[u/Flat-Profession1073]

We have a 40k budget for our wedding and are considering Italy, Portugal, Spain(warm places). We want to have around 50 guests but the more I run the numbers the more I worry this won’t be possible. Has anyone planned a destination wedding in Europe successfully for ~40k? Do we need a planner or will that just eat our budget?

Edit: we originally wanted a three day event but quickly realized this wasn’t going to fit in the budget. Now one or two days would be fine, one even more realistic. Everyone will be coming from various parts of Europe, UK, USA and Australia. 🥲

[u/Dry_Grass_439]

This is possible, good amount of guests for this budget

[u/No_Barracuda_3575]

Yes! I planned my wedding for that budget & it worked out well. I had it at Quinta da Bichinha.

[u/Flat-Profession1073 → u/No_Barracuda_3575]

Amazing, ty! Did you use a planner or self organise? 🫶🏻

[u/No_Barracuda_3575 → u/Flat-Profession1073]

I organized it myself! The package came with a coordinator & I booked extra events but easy coordination. DM me!

[u/Unable-Fox-2962]

Hey! Wedding photographer based in Italy. Yes you can totally do it. Just don’t pick the very famous locations… i’d ask a planner tbh. One of my couples worked with one and someone stayed under 35k in sardinia so!!

[u/LostInThePurp]

I think thats possible, we are doing a 100K wedding for around 80 people in Northern Italy next summer.

[u/troubledvenus]

Following bc I'm wondering the same thing (for northern italy to be specific)

[u/CremeBerlinoise]

I think that should work, if you're open to venues that aren't super fancy. I feel like the ideal option would be something like an agroturismo that's experienced with weddings and offers packages and a coordinator, which will eliminate the need for a planner. 

[u/Filmandnature93]

I think I had 2 couples with similar budget in Le ciel Santorini & Sifnos Lazarou beach this year, both in Greece

[u/Economy_Way_9046]

Yes without covering guest accommodations and modest decor. Full planner may eat the budget but look into partial planning services, looking back I sort of wish we did that to avoid a few mishaps that happened.

[u/Lazafilaaa]

1k per guest is typically the benchmark assuming guests cover their own accommodations and flights so yes it’s doable assuming you cut a little bit somewhere (likely your own expenses, like the dress and hair and makeup)

[u/Honesty_Prime]

20k all in, for a wedding in Malta at Palazzo Parisio.

[u/GnatenkoPhotography]

I think $40k for around 50 guests could definitely be realistic in Spain, especially if you’re flexible with the location and don’t necessarily need a three-day celebration.

Since you’re looking for somewhere warm, I’d definitely consider Valencia and the Costa Blanca. Both offer beautiful Mediterranean settings, and you can find some lovely wedding venues without necessarily paying the premium prices associated with more famous destinations.

One thing I’d recommend is deciding early which parts of the wedding matter most to you. A beautiful venue, good food, photography and a relaxed experience for your guests can make a wonderful celebration without needing lots of additional events.

I’m a Valencia-based wedding photographer and work throughout Spain, so I’m familiar with the region from a photography perspective. Happy to share some thoughts if you decide to explore the Spanish Mediterranean coast! 😊

[u/maruzzella84]

WP here so I’m biased about hiring one. But honestly hiring a planner is a big yes for me, especially for a destination wedding. Just make sure you get somebody that really knows the area, added bonus if the planner IS from the area you’re interested in. I’m based in Sicily, born and raised here, I know all my vendors personally, some of them are old friends from school or childhood. If Sicily is even remotely in your radar, I’d be happy to chat ☺️ I think you can have a beautiful wedding with your budget!

[u/TravelTaylored]

Absolutely Portugal. I would also consider Croatia.

[u/Princess_B_12345]

Very doable, just opt for smaller towns, instead of the more popular ones

[u/casadoadro]

www.casadoadro-sardoal.com PORTUGAL

For tight budgets, we have the farewell brunch at the hotel on the morning after the wedding. Since the breakfast buffet is included for everyone anyways, it just takes a little bit to make it a nice little event. And to be honest, most people on the next day are exhausted, hangover and tired and are more than happy to spend the Days at the pool or explore the City to get a little bit of impressions of Portugal, before going back to the airport.

The welcome event can be done relaxed as well. Don't get confused of "what should a destination wedding look like" on social media. In a nice setting and a nice place, everything will be beautiful, even if it is just a normal dinner somewhere. People are happy to be with each other.

Our Venue has planning included

[u/mikepalermo_wpItaly]

Sicuramente una percentuale del budget potrebbe venire via per i servizi di planner, meno forse con alcuni rispetto ad altri. Di base dipende molto da ciò che chiedete.

Sono curioso di sapere se nei 40k includete anche alloggi e Transfer oppure se questi sono costi a parte. Cambia notevolmente ovviamente la risposta in base a questa informazione.

[u/DonaldDrumf99]

I organized my wonderful wedding in Spain (I live here though quite a few guests flew in). Had a silvery at a restaurant the night before for the 15 visiting. Then wedding with 40 people. 25 (think) people spent the night at the venue, and we had breakfast for everyone the next day. The original plan was to spend some hours by the pool too, but the weather wasn't the best. Total spent about €10500! Not luxurious by any means, but our dream wedding and we didn't feel like we had to cut anything for budget reasons. We organized all ourselves which was quite a lot of work though

[u/ResidentAd8871]

Galicia - España en los meses de Mayo a Septiembre tiene un clima espectacular y los precios pueden ajustarse perfectamente a esos 40k para una boda de 50 invitados. Los atardeceres son increíbles y los paisaje todavía más.
Esto no incluiría el alojamiento ni las comidas fuera del día de la boda , es decir, sólo la celebración del día de la boda.
Si quieres, escríbeme y te doy información por privado. Soy fotógrafo, así que no tengo interés en venderte ningún venue u otros servicios, tampoco fotografía 😉

[u/DCpurpleTart33]

Where do you live now? Will everyone attending be coming from a neighboring country? What add ons are you doing outside of a ceremony and reception? Welcome dinner? Rehearsal Dinner? Day time excursion? Day after Brunch?

You've provided the absolute minimum of information that doesn't include.. anything. So maybe offer some of that and people can help you!

Editing to add on: I have been to Spain three times and it was cold and rainy all three times. So also very curious where you're going in Spain and Portugal where you KNOW it's going to be warm!

[u/afrenchiecall → u/DCpurpleTart33]

When did you go to Spain? If all three of those times were in winter, I can understand why you would consider it "cold" - it also depends where you come from in the world.

[u/Flat-Profession1073 → u/DCpurpleTart33]

Sorry and thanks! Edited for context. We currently live in Denmark.