Where Can Couples Spend Less on Destination Weddings in the US?

Name: Where Can Couples Spend Less on Destination Weddings in the US?
Item: Where Can Couples Spend Less on Destination Weddings in the US?
Author: Anja Solum, CEPF

The most affordable U.S. destination weddings happen in Laughlin, Nevada, where couples spend an average of $8,660.

By Anja Solum, CEPF

Edited by Rae Osborn

Updated: November 5, 2024

Advertising & Editorial Disclosure

Destination weddings have become a popular way for many Americans to celebrate their nuptials, but the excitement often comes with a significant financial commitment — from travel expenses to venue and accommodations. However, there are budget-friendly locations for destination weddings across the country where couples can exchange vows without breaking the bank.

MoneyGeek analyzed travel wedding data from The Wedding Report for 129 cities across the U.S. We focused on cities where destination weddings comprised 50% or more of the total number of weddings in the area. We excluded places with less than 500 weddings in the data year (2023). We learned that couples can expect to spend an average of $17,000 in the top 50 wedding destinations and the most affordable are found in the South.

KEY FINDINGS: MOST AFFORDABLE US DESTINATION WEDDINGS

Laughlin, Nevada, is the most affordable U.S. wedding destination. Two of the most visited U.S. wedding destinations (Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and Niagara Falls, New York) also rank among the least expensive.
The average spend was $24,176 in cities and towns where the majority of weddings were held by visiting couples.
Mobile, Alabama — where weddings average just over $15,000 — was the only city with a population over 100,000 in the top 10 most affordable.
Boston and Las Vegas are the largest cities where destination weddings account for more than half of all weddings. Couples in Beantown spent nearly $35,000 on average, compared to $23,000 in Sin City.
The southern (24%) and western (20%) U.S. had the greatest share of locations in the final ranking list of 129 wedding destinations.

Small Towns and Cities Are the Most Affordable for Destination Weddings

Many of the top U.S. wedding destinations are popular tourism and vacation spots (such as Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and Las Vegas) or are close to natural attractions (like Niagara Falls, New York, and South Lake Tahoe, California). Coastal destinations such as Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and cities of great historical significance like St. Augustine, Florida, also make the list.

However, couples reported spending less than $20,000 on average in only 48 of the 129 destinations analyzed. For weddings under $15,000, that number drops to seven. Although costs can rise with travel distance for couples and guests, the following small cities and towns offer the most affordable settings for tying the knot.

1. Laughlin, NV: $8,660
Nestled along the Colorado River, Laughlin, Nevada, is a budget-friendly wedding spot where couples spend $8,660 on average. Nearly all of the weddings held in this town were held by out-of-towners who traveled about 77 miles to get there. Near Las Vegas, Laughlin wedding planners will find plenty of venue and catering options, while wedding-goers will enjoy entertainment like casinos and beaches.

2. De Queen, AR: $12,841
Nearly all weddings in De Queen, Arkansas, involve out-of-town couples. Weddings here average $12,841, and guests travel about 76 miles. De Queen’s peaceful, small-town charm and surrounding natural beauty make it an inviting choice for couples looking for a quiet, budget-friendly wedding spot.

3. Gatlinburg, TN: $13,245
Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and the Smoky Mountains go hand in hand. A long-time favorite for weddings, the town hosted 2,864 in 2023 (fourth-highest of cities and towns with less than 100,000 residents), with couples spending $13,245 on average. The scenic views and fun attractions like the Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum offer wedding goers plenty to enjoy.

4. Niagara Falls, NY: $14,457
Home to the oldest state park in the U.S., the cascading waterfalls of Niagara Falls, New York, offer a scenic backdrop for couples exchanging vows away from home. More than a third of all weddings were held by out-of-towners and typically cost just under $15,000 in the honeymoon capital of the world.

5. Leesburg, FL: $14,546
Leesburg, Florida, combines natural lakeside beauty and accessibility, making it a popular choice for a destination wedding. With 66% of weddings involving out-of-town couples and an average cost of $14,546, Leesburg is a great mid-budget option.

15 MOST AFFORDABLE US WEDDING DESTINATIONS

	Place	Avg. Wedding Cost	Destination Weddings	Population
1.	Laughlin, NV	$8,660	99.1%	8,184
2.	De Queen, AR	$12,841	99.0%	6,132
3.	Gatlinburg, TN	$13,245	100.0%	3,636
4.	Niagara Falls, NY	$14,457	76.3%	48,502
5.	Leesburg, FL	$14,546	65.8%	27,226
6.	Foley, AL	$14,763	71.3%	21,113
7.	Eureka Springs, AR	$14,904	100.0%	2,053
8.	Paducah, KY	$15,096	65.8%	26,869
9.	Sevierville, TN	$15,135	94.9%	17,986
10.	Mobile, AL	$15,199	54.5%	186,316
11.	Anderson, IN	$15,342	66.7%	55,011
12.	Miami, OK	$15,516	94.0%	12,995
13.	Charleston, WV	$15,652	80.4%	48,415
14.	Scottsburg, IN	$15,751	98.0%	7,313
15.	Temple, TX	$15,767	63.6%	83,473

Most Affordable US Wedding Destinations in Large or Midsize Cities

Las Vegas is the biggest city where couples spend under $25,000 on average for their destination weddings, which make up more than half of all weddings. Mobile, Alabama, is the most budget-friendly in this group — 55% of all weddings in Mobile were destination weddings averaging $15,199. In contrast, couples with destination weddings in Boston, Honolulu and Surprise, Arizona, spent over $30,000 on average.

15 LARGEST AFFORDABLE US WEDDING DESTINATIONS

	City	Avg. Wedding Cost	Destination Weddings	Population
1.	Mobile, AL	$15,199	54.5%	186,316
2.	Independence, MO	$17,627	50.7%	122,218
3.	Fayetteville, NC	$18,383	53.1%	208,697
4.	Topeka, KS	$18,629	62.0%	126,431
5.	Amarillo, TX	$19,596	60.0%	200,360
6.	Norfolk, VA	$21,766	51.5%	236,973
7.	Salt Lake City, UT	$22,014	60.1%	201,269
8.	Port St. Lucie, FL	$22,881	50.3%	210,520
9.	Las Vegas, NV	$23,330	71.0%	644,835
10.	St. Petersburg, FL	$24,581	52.7%	259,343
11.	Reno, NV	$25,271	53.8%	265,196
12.	Henderson, NV	$28,019	73.1%	318,063
13.	Honolulu, HI	$30,792	53.8%	348,547
14.	Surprise, AZ	$32,788	52.7%	145,591
15.	Boston, MA	$34,811	55.5%	665,945

Tips for Saving on Wedding Expenses

Set a clear budget that includes all potential wedding costs such as travel, accommodation, venue rental and vendor fees. Doing so early on can help prevent overspending and allow you to prioritize what matters most for your big day.

Opt for a wedding during an off-peak season to significantly reduce costs on venues, flights and accommodations.

Use a rewards credit card for your wedding expenses to earn points or cash back, which you can put toward your honeymoon or other post-wedding expenses.

Hiring local vendors at your destination can often be cheaper than bringing in vendors from elsewhere. Local vendors are also more familiar with the area, which can lead to better service and fewer logistical challenges.

Set aside a portion of your wedding budget to cover unexpected expenses such as last-minute travel changes or unforeseen costs at the destination.

Methodology

MoneyGeek analyzed 2023 data from The Wedding Report on destination weddings, miles traveled to vacation weddings and average wedding spending in U.S. cities. We focused on places where destination weddings made up 50% or more of all weddings in the area and that had at least 500 weddings in total occur within the year. This left us with a total of 129 locations. Population data comes from the U.S. Census five-year American Community Survey (ACS).

Full Dataset

In the data that informed our analysis, we analyzed factors like average wedding costs, the percentage of destination weddings and guest travel distances to highlight the most affordable places for tying the knot. Note that wedding spending can vary with more distance.

	City	Avg. Wedding Cost	Destination Weddings	Population	Avg. Miles Traveled
1.	Laughlin, NV	$8,660	99.1%	8,184	76.5
2.	De Queen, AR	$12,841	99.0%	6,132	76.0
3.	Gatlinburg, TN	$13,245	100.0%	3,636	77.0
4.	Niagara Falls, NY	$14,457	76.3%	48,502	63.6
5.	Leesburg, FL	$14,546	65.8%	27,226	62.3
6.	Foley, AL	$14,763	71.3%	21,113	66.0
7.	Eureka Springs, AR	$14,904	100.0%	2,053	77.0
8.	Paducah, KY	$15,096	65.8%	26,869	59.3
9.	Sevierville, TN	$15,135	94.9%	17,986	74.0
10.	Mobile, AL	$15,199	54.5%	186,316	56.7
11.	Anderson, IN	$15,342	66.7%	55,011	54.0
12.	Miami, OK	$15,516	94.0%	12,995	74.5
13.	Charleston, WV	$15,652	80.4%	48,415	64.1
14.	Scottsburg, IN	$15,751	98.0%	7,313	75.0
15.	Temple, TX	$15,767	63.6%	83,473	57.3
16.	Great Falls, MT	$15,894	68.9%	60,373	63.6
17.	Gadsden, AL	$15,899	76.9%	33,881	62.2
18.	Wichita Falls, TX	$16,078	80.3%	102,482	54.4
19.	Fort Pierce, FL	$16,091	80.8%	47,153	66.8
20.	Canton, OH	$16,250	51.1%	70,589	38.9
21.	Phenix City, AL	$16,255	62.2%	38,413	42.0
22.	Mansfield, OH	$16,276	55.9%	47,630	43.2
23.	Kingsport, TN	$16,363	53.0%	55,415	50.8
24.	Florence, AL	$16,417	52.2%	40,781	55.8
25.	Branson, MO	$16,489	88.2%	12,651	72.5
26.	Berryville, AR	$16,871	98.0%	5,667	75.0
27.	Pigeon Forge, TN	$17,275	100.0%	6,345	77.0
28.	Gulf Shores, AL	$17,334	95.1%	15,178	75.0
29.	Independence, MO	$17,627	50.7%	122,218	47.4
30.	Pahrump, NV	$17,877	86.9%	44,711	69.0
31.	Brunswick, GA	$18,021	50.2%	15,243	49.3
32.	St. Joseph, MO	$18,056	62.4%	72,198	45.3
33.	Lake City, FL	$18,213	69.9%	12,307	52.0
34.	Fayetteville, NC	$18,383	53.1%	208,697	49.9
35.	Ocala, FL	$18,429	58.6%	63,504	42.9
36.	Topeka, KS	$18,629	62.0%	126,431	57.1
37.	Panama City, FL	$18,636	71.1%	34,254	66.1
38.	Pensacola, FL	$18,703	54.1%	54,059	53.6
39.	Scranton, PA	$18,741	51.6%	76,119	39.8
40.	Lufkin, TX	$18,916	54.0%	34,165	56.0
41.	North Myrtle Beach, SC	$19,359	96.1%	18,850	75.5
42.	Seymour, TN	$19,397	91.1%	16,081	70.0
43.	Mesquite, NV	$19,446	97.2%	20,659	76.3
44.	Longview, TX	$19,569	55.5%	82,176	55.3
45.	Amarillo, TX	$19,596	60.0%	200,360	52.9
46.	Largo, FL	$19,694	61.6%	82,541	49.6
47.	Myrtle Beach, SC	$19,772	65.7%	36,064	53.4
48.	North Miami Beach, FL	$19,997	53.9%	43,269	42.0
49.	Key West, FL	$20,213	88.0%	26,078	72.5
50.	Clearwater, FL	$20,559	52.4%	116,984	41.7
51.	Destin, FL	$21,282	94.1%	13,923	74.5
52.	Coeur d'Alene, ID	$21,496	79.5%	54,599	64.3
53.	Fort Walton Beach, FL	$21,548	69.6%	20,919	55.7
54.	Beaumont, TX	$21,661	57.6%	114,573	52.9
55.	Fort Myers, FL	$21,670	52.6%	88,699	44.2
56.	Norfolk, VA	$21,766	51.5%	236,973	43.4
57.	Vero Beach, FL	$22,007	67.6%	16,531	54.0
58.	Salt Lake City, UT	$22,014	60.1%	201,269	55.1
59.	Carson City, NV	$22,075	84.4%	58,249	70.0
60.	Brooksville, FL	$22,362	78.6%	8,981	51.5
61.	Elko, NV	$22,444	80.3%	20,513	69.5
62.	Idaho Falls, ID	$22,644	59.4%	65,685	53.0
63.	Fairhope, AL	$22,716	76.6%	22,605	68.0
64.	Panama City Beach, FL	$22,721	93.3%	18,281	71.5
65.	Aiken, SC	$22,823	61.4%	32,014	63.4
66.	Port St. Lucie, FL	$22,881	50.3%	210,520	51.1
67.	Helena, MT	$23,231	51.6%	32,529	52.8
68.	Las Vegas, NV	$23,330	71.0%	644,835	54.0
69.	South Lake Tahoe, CA	$23,356	84.7%	21,346	74.0
70.	Grand Junction, CO	$23,426	66.1%	65,918	49.9
71.	Kalispell, MT	$23,661	52.5%	25,473	64.3
72.	Stuart, FL	$23,824	59.2%	17,639	50.3
73.	Miami Beach, FL	$23,947	70.6%	82,400	62.1
74.	Watertown, NY	$24,015	51.9%	24,859	25.0
75.	Leadville, CO	$24,119	98.0%	2,622	75.0
76.	St. Cloud, FL	$24,367	50.9%	59,851	43.6
77.	Midvale, UT	$24,516	51.0%	35,609	39.0
78.	St. Petersburg, FL	$24,581	52.7%	259,343	41.7
79.	Boulder City, NV	$24,703	98.1%	14,868	76.0
80.	Fernley, NV	$24,762	84.0%	23,035	65.0
81.	Delray Beach, FL	$24,933	60.8%	66,646	44.6
82.	New Bern, NC	$25,170	60.0%	31,373	56.7
83.	Reno, NV	$25,271	53.8%	265,196	47.6
84.	Winchester, VA	$25,999	71.4%	28,103	49.3
85.	Miramar Beach, FL	$26,381	99.1%	9,115	76.0
86.	Belton, TX	$26,573	51.0%	23,137	39.0
87.	Palm Springs, CA	$26,704	72.7%	44,935	63.3
88.	Sarasota, FL	$26,739	53.0%	55,508	42.1
89.	Traverse City, MI	$26,771	54.8%	15,468	35.5
90.	St. Augustine, FL	$26,851	72.0%	14,642	54.0
91.	Crestview, FL	$27,465	63.9%	27,427	34.5
92.	Monterey, CA	$27,666	63.4%	30,007	69.8
93.	Henderson, NV	$28,019	73.1%	318,063	51.0
94.	Naples, FL	$28,282	75.5%	19,315	53.3
95.	Daphne, AL	$28,345	72.0%	27,861	58.0
96.	Weatherford, TX	$28,823	62.1%	32,168	33.8
97.	Palm Desert, CA	$29,322	78.0%	51,290	65.7
98.	Boca Raton, FL	$29,401	60.8%	97,980	50.5
99.	Williamsburg, VA	$29,705	60.9%	15,486	32.3
100.	Gulf Breeze, FL	$29,870	83.4%	6,372	59.0
101.	Schaumburg, IL	$29,876	59.3%	77,571	42.5
102.	Hilton Head Island, SC	$30,362	89.9%	37,708	71.0
103.	Fairbanks, AK	$30,495	60.6%	32,496	63.4
104.	Warwick, RI	$30,613	52.9%	82,783	49.8
105.	Honolulu, HI	$30,792	53.8%	348,547	56.5
106.	Placerville, CA	$31,381	82.1%	10,744	63.0
107.	Lahaina, HI	$31,748	93.0%	12,906	74.5
108.	Lee's Summit, MO	$31,765	55.1%	101,728	41.8
109.	Surprise, AZ	$32,788	52.7%	145,591	30.4
110.	Portsmouth, NH	$32,950	81.3%	22,138	69.5
111.	Englewood, CO	$33,111	51.2%	33,634	44.6
112.	Sandy, UT	$34,484	67.5%	95,635	54.6
113.	Kihei, HI	$34,621	91.0%	22,247	70.0
114.	Lihue, HI	$34,626	93.9%	8,649	72.0
115.	Rockwall, TX	$34,682	62.3%	47,859	44.5
116.	Boston, MA	$34,811	55.5%	665,945	49.1
117.	Troy, MI	$35,114	61.1%	87,170	42.8
118.	Kahului, HI	$35,883	88.1%	27,233	72.5
119.	Kapaa, HI	$36,037	88.0%	10,846	68.0
120.	Beverly Hills, CA	$36,804	84.8%	32,406	69.0
121.	Culver City, CA	$37,692	52.5%	40,357	53.0
122.	Santa Barbara, CA	$37,706	56.0%	88,640	54.6
123.	Annapolis, MD	$37,714	53.3%	40,719	43.3
124.	Wailuku, HI	$38,270	78.0%	16,590	60.0
125.	Newport Beach, CA	$38,702	69.2%	85,159	66.0
126.	South Jordan, UT	$40,563	51.2%	78,118	29.0
127.	Carlsbad, CA	$43,653	55.4%	114,745	40.2
128.	San Clemente, CA	$44,865	61.9%	64,232	57.0
129.	Palo Alto, CA	$50,217	56.5%	67,901	47.0

Avg. Wedding Cost: The average spend reported by couples for a wedding in the location. This does not reflect vendor pricing.
Destination Weddings: The percentage of weddings held by couples that traveled from outside of the local wedding market.
Population: The number of people who reside in the city.
Avg. Miles Traveled The average distance traveled by couples who got married in the location.

About Anja Solum, CEPF

Anja Solum is a certified educator in personal finance and the Data Journalism Manager at MoneyGeek. For over six years, she has produced data analyses and studies for agency and in-house teams across multiple verticals.

Solum holds a bachelor's degree in communication arts from Florida International University. She's passionate about using data to tell compelling, informed stories that empower readers.

Read Full Bio »

sources

Laughlin Nevada. "Laughlin Wedding Planning Guide." Accessed November 5, 2024.
Niagara Falls State Park. "Niagara Falls Honeymoons." Accessed November 5, 2024.
The Wedding Report. "Methodology." Accessed November 5, 2024.