($15,000) International Elopement
My husband and I eloped to the Scottish highlands during the off season (early March) for under $14,000 (not including the honeymoon). We decided to splurge in some areas because we were still staying under $15,000, and the wedding + the honeymoon + the reception back home all totaled under the average cost for a wedding in the US. We also felt that cost-saving wasn't the #1 reason for us to elope (but it was #2!), so we weren't going to unreasonably short ourselves of a magical day. Rough budget breakdown below assuming we would have flown home the next day instead of staying for a weeklong honeymoon. It's rough because I ain't pulling all that paperwork back out lol! It was 5 months ago and booked before that.
- $3,600 on 5 hours of photography, a 4-minute
highlight video, and a complete audio recording of our ceremony
- $3,200 on economy plane tickets
- $3,500 on my attire, including alterations and veils + his tartan
- $400 on my hair and makeup
- $250 on the officiant
- $1,200 on rings
- $850 on rental car and full-coverage insurance (which we literally needed day 1, soooo 100% worth it. Don't underestimate driving in a foreign country.)
- $650 on food & accommodations for Thursday-Sunday including airport food, dinner and full Scottish breakfast at the hotel, and groceries for our first meal
Total: $13,650
PS. If you're looking for a photographer anywhere in Scotland, do let me know. Micaela was incredible, and I'd be happy to tell you more!