Anyone else feel like the moment you say "wedding," everything suddenly costs more? I hear you! So, let’s talk about exactly how much it costs to have a destination wedding in Jamaica.
The Truth About What A Jamaica Destination Wedding Costs
No amount of Google searches will truly prepare you for the real cost of a wedding in Jamaica. When we talk about wedding expenses, we’re actually looking at two different costs:
How much the wedding costs for the couple
How much the wedding costs for the guests
It’s not just about hidden fees it’s the little details that make the difference, like your guest count and whether you’ll hate the basic wedding package enough to want an upgrade.
The Cost Breakdown
If you’re the couple, expect to spend $150–$450 per guest for your destination wedding.
Now, you might assume that choosing a high end resort means you’ll be spending closer to the higher end of that range.
But here’s a little golden nugget: sometimes, the more your guests spend on their rooms, the less you’ll have to spend on the wedding itself. Many resorts offer perks and discounts based on your guests' bookings.
Now, this is definitely not me saying, “Take as many people as possible so you can get a free wedding.” That would be a very messed up thing to do.
What I am saying is that you'll typically see that the higher end resorts, have more budget friendly wedding packages. Plus compared to a traditional wedding, a destination wedding can really help your money to go further, because it isn’t just about the ceremony and reception.
You’re spending 4+ days making memories with your closest people, along with all the usual wedding inclusions.
How Much Will This Cost Your Guests?
First, take out the cost of flights. They’re unpredictable and depend on when and where your guests are traveling from.
Here’s what you can plan for:
Resort Stay: Expect guests to spend $250–$500 per night (per person) for their room, depending on the level of resort you choose.
Minimum Night Stay: Resorts require a minimum of 3 nights, but most guests stay 4 nights.
Airport Transfers: Around $100 per person (round trip).
Travel Insurance: This varies, but a good estimate is 10% of the resort cost.
Example Cost Per Guest:
Let’s say you choose a resort that costs $250 per person per night for 4 nights:
$250 x 4 nights = $1,000
+ $100 round-trip transfers
+ $110 travel insurance (10% of resort cost)
= $1,210 per person
You can adjust the resort cost and length of stay to fit your guests’ budgets. If we work together, we’ll help you choose the best three resort options that balance your wedding vision, budget and guest affordability. (Sorry not sorry for the shameless plug)
And remember while this number doesn’t include flights, it does include unlimited food, unlimited drinks and entertainment at the resort.
How to Plan Your Wedding Budget Wisely
1. Create Three Budget Tiers
Instead of locking yourself into one fixed number, break it down into three tiers:
Comfy Number – What you’d love to spend.
Workable Number – A reasonable middle ground.
Stretch Number – The max amount you’d spend if needed.
This flexibility helps you adjust as costs unfold while staying within your comfort zone.
2. Don’t Lie About Your Budget
A better approach is: "Here’s my budget, what can I get?" instead of forcing every dream element into a fixed number. Being honest helps us to offer creative solutions that maximize your budget.
3. Pick 3–5 Non-Negotiables
What truly matters to you? Is it the flowers, food, music, photography? Identify your top priorities so that if you need to adjust, you’re cutting back on things that don’t matter as much to you.
Pro Tip: Use the Resort Deposit as an RSVP Tool
Most resorts require a $100 deposit per room, so instead of chasing RSVPs, use this deposit as a commitment indicator. This way, you’ll have a more accurate guest count, helping you choose the right wedding package.
If you don’t want guests to pay to RSVP, you’ll need to use your wedding budget to cover the room block.
What’s a Group Room Block?
Your group room block is how many rooms you’re holding at the resort for your guests.
This ensures your guests have reserved rooms even if the rest of the resort sells out.
It also locks in room rates at the agreed price, even if resort prices go up later.
How Much Is the Room Block Deposit?
Most resorts require a refundable deposit to reserve your room block.
Expect to put down at least $100 per room reserved.
High end resorts may ask for a bigger deposit or a percentage of the total room block cost.
If you’re reserving 20 rooms, you’ll likely need to put down at least $2,000 upfront.
This money comes back to you once guests start booking, but you’ll need to pay it upfront.
Planning a destination wedding in Jamaica isn’t just about picking a resort. It’s about understanding where your money goes and making it work for you.
With a clear budget strategy, honest communication, and a focus on what truly matters, you can create a wedding experience that’s both memorable and financially manageable.
Ready to Start Planning?
If you're thinking, “Ok cool, but where do we actually start?” you start by booking a complimentary consultation call with us.
We help couples:
✔ Choose the right all-inclusive resort
✔ Lock in room rates & perks
✔ Arrange all guest travel
If this sounds like exactly what you need, schedule a call today!
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