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Original poster

How much would you pay to go to a destination wedding?

189 replies

Ohyasss · 15/08/2023 19:51

Average income, 4 people (2dcs, dh and I) We avoid summer hols and normally steal time around half term and a few days into term. Only one dc is in primary other is nursery. Invited to a wedding smack bang school hols (next yr)

how much would you pay?

im currently balking at the cost as it’s double what we spend on our naice summer (not school hols).

OP posts:
sunshineandshowers40 · 15/08/2023 20:09

I wouldn't go unless it was my brother or sister. We are a family of 5 and I wouldn't want to not have a family holiday. When I was younger (pre kids) I went to a wedding in Ireland but different circumstances and I had far less outgoings.

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 15/08/2023 20:09

Unless my sister id decline- and even my sister id tell her it’s entitled and annoying!

Original poster
Ohyasss · 15/08/2023 20:09

FionnulaTheCooler · 15/08/2023 20:03

I wouldn't bother then, on both counts. You don't want to go and I doubt they'll be that fussed either.

Show quote history

I’d be more inclined to if you got more for your money, the destination isn’t one I’d dream about but you could make it work in a nice enough hotel. Problem is, I’ve already forked out (deposit and flights paid) for a rather expensive holiday already (probably around the same cost for one week at said destination but we’re going for 2 weeks). I can’t justify spending that much money on holidays In a year….

thought I might be being tight glad to know others are on the same page!

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

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Childcare & nursery Weddings
Olika · 15/08/2023 20:09

I wouldn't go to a destination wedding unless I wanted to go to that place on my holiday anyway.

Kay286 · 15/08/2023 20:10

I would say it depends on what you can afford and if it’s a place you would actually like to go. If you can’t afford or you’d prefer to go on your regular holiday for much cheaper just do that. If it’s an amazing destination that you’ve always wanted to visit, you can afford it (albeit more than you’re normal budget) and you get to be at a friends wedding too I’d go !
If it’s crazy money and you’re not really bothered about the place I’d pass … people having destination wedding know not everyone can afford to go.

Maireas · 15/08/2023 20:12

You can't afford it. Weddings are expensive enough to go to in the UK, never mind a destination one with overseas travel and hotel costs.
Don't go.

HundredMilesAnHour · 15/08/2023 20:13

I spent £5-6k total going to a close friend's wedding in Bali. With hindsight, I wish I hadn't gone. The only part I didn't enjoy was the actual wedding / wedding related activities as I found the other guests were not friendly at all, and I was there alone (wasn't given the option of taking a plus one). Turned out the bride had fallen out with other close mutual friends so none of them were there. It was just awkward and uncomfortable and exhausting pretending that I was having a nice time when inside I was dying and wanting to be anywhere else.

Original poster
Ohyasss · 15/08/2023 20:13

It’s a kavos, Zante, aiya napa, sort of destination. I was floored at how much the naice hotels were. Best part of 5k for a week. I’m going to WDW for 2 weeks for that

OP posts:
panko · 15/08/2023 20:14

£200 for me by myself. No one else needs to go

Ponderingwindow · 15/08/2023 20:15

I have traveled to weddings for people who held their weddings in their hometowns or where they happen to have moved and have spent large amounts of money to do so. I have no set budget for that, if I have the time and money, I am inclined to make the trip because not everyone lives in the same city. We are all spread out and it’s nice to see family and friends and inevitably a portion of the guests end up traveling and sometimes I am one of them.

I always decline destination wedding invites. There is no reason to force everyone to travel.

I might make the effort for a sibling.

rookiemere · 15/08/2023 20:16

Ohyasss · 15/08/2023 20:13

It’s a kavos, Zante, aiya napa, sort of destination. I was floored at how much the naice hotels were. Best part of 5k for a week. I’m going to WDW for 2 weeks for that

It does sound expensive, but for WDW for 4 for a fortnight you would need to double that.

Kay286 · 15/08/2023 20:16

Ponderingwindow · 15/08/2023 20:15

I have traveled to weddings for people who held their weddings in their hometowns or where they happen to have moved and have spent large amounts of money to do so. I have no set budget for that, if I have the time and money, I am inclined to make the trip because not everyone lives in the same city. We are all spread out and it’s nice to see family and friends and inevitably a portion of the guests end up traveling and sometimes I am one of them.

I always decline destination wedding invites. There is no reason to force everyone to travel.

I might make the effort for a sibling.

Doesn’t sound like anyone is being forced … they are invited and have the option to decline.

TomatoSandwiches · 15/08/2023 20:17

I'd only go if it were my DC or possibly a sibling.
I have no problem with a destination wedding until the bride and groom to be start getting pissed off because no one wants to spend ££££ to go.
You can't expect people to do that anymore.

GiddyUpH · 15/08/2023 20:17

Berlinlover · 15/08/2023 19:54

Unless it was very close family I wouldn’t go.

This.

drpet49 · 15/08/2023 20:17

Brefugee · 15/08/2023 19:52

Nothing. I would decline such an invitation.

This.

Maireas · 15/08/2023 20:19

I suppose people planning destination weddings realise that many guests can't afford to go. I don't know why they don't just save the destination for the honeymoon, but hey. Their choice.

Kay286 · 15/08/2023 20:19

Ohyasss · 15/08/2023 20:13

It’s a kavos, Zante, aiya napa, sort of destination. I was floored at how much the naice hotels were. Best part of 5k for a week. I’m going to WDW for 2 weeks for that

I wouldn’t spend 5k for a week in a Kavos type resort ! I love Greece and have done many Greek islands , in summer hols for much cheaper too, so the resort type and price would be a no from me !
WDW is amazing though so enjoy 😊

Original poster
Ohyasss · 15/08/2023 20:20

rookiemere · 15/08/2023 20:16

It does sound expensive, but for WDW for 4 for a fortnight you would need to double that.

Show quote history

I’ve booked and paid for it, and it’s not, I promise :)

OP posts:
Labbingtons · 15/08/2023 20:22

I have been to weddings overseas (Vermont, Hong Kong, Israel) and they’ve been a wonderful experiences. But they’ve all been weddings of close friends, and very much pre-kids. All places I’ve enjoyed visiting, with the added bonus of wonderful hospitality and seeing different cultures.

Nowadays we have limited annual leave and so many places we want to travel to with the kids. There’s no way I would spend time and money somewhere I didn’t want to be.

Personally, I’d wish the couple well and decline the invitation sticking to a holiday destination I’d chosen myself.

Maireas · 15/08/2023 20:24

Yes, I think if you're on your own, it's different. For a family, it must be a stretch.

Original poster
Ohyasss · 15/08/2023 20:26

Maireas · 15/08/2023 20:24

Yes, I think if you're on your own, it's different. For a family, it must be a stretch.

Yeah and that’s it really and I wouldn’t feel right going and leaving my kids behind in truth

OP posts:
ibtrue · 15/08/2023 20:27

Nothing.

MrsTerryPratchett · 15/08/2023 20:30

Ohyasss · 15/08/2023 19:59

I’m not mad for the destination, it’s got a bit of a Brits on tour vibe to it. For instance I was looking on tui (and I do like tui for a deal here and there) but a lot of the hotels were 2* and in the pics looked quite, well to put it nicely dated. They were coming in at best part of 3k too!

person is a friend, was close once upon a time but has drifted last few years

In this case, then no.

I just spent an eye-watering amount and put myself out to get to a wedding because I adore the bride and it was somewhere I wanted to be.

And sometimes it's unavoidable miserable PPs. DH and I are different nationalities and so by default our wedding was a ball ache for one side anyway. Fortunately my friends and family aren't MNers and all came and celebrated with us.

Iwantmybed · 15/08/2023 20:31

FWIW, I got married on the other side of the world and didn't invite anyone.
I have been invited to weddings in Aruba and the Philippines and didn't go. It was a shame to miss my brothers wedding but it woild have been the best part of £10k for us all to go.

Needapadlockonmyfridge · 15/08/2023 20:32

Nothing, as with others, I wouldn't go.