Understanding Guatemala Wedding Cost. Is Guatemala a Cheaper Wedding Destination?
- Feb 8, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Feb 22
Are you planning a destination wedding? Budgeting can be a significant concern. This guide examines the costs of a wedding in Antigua Guatemala and offers a brief comparison with destination weddings in Italy, highlighting the differences in budgets for both dream locations.
The Affordability Advantage: Is it expensive to get married in Guatemala?
Italy is a popular wedding destination, but Guatemala offers an affordable alternative. Antigua Guatemala is a location that provides luxurious options at a lower cost. We'll compare expenses in areas such as venues, food, and accommodations to highlight Guatemala's advantages in affordability. Stay tuned for the details!
So, how much does it cost to get married in Antigua?
It depends! But instead of a generic answer, let's use Italy as a benchmark. (Big thanks to wedding planner Inna Bazhan (@innabazhan_events on Instagram) for Italian pricing insights!)
Remember: These are starting points or averages. Your Guatemalan wedding is unique, and we can tailor it to your vision. Here's the key takeaway: Guatemala can be even more budget-friendly, but as your destination wedding planners, we curate vendors that meet your international standards. The prices reflect our trusted vendors' starting points.
Affordable Luxury, Not "Cheap": Luxury Weddings Guatemala
Calling Guatemala "cheap" misses the mark. "Affordable luxury" better reflects the true value this destination offers. By highlighting luxury experiences that are accessible, couples and their guests can appreciate Guatemala's wedding potential. Explore the possibilities by diving into our Guatemala Wedding Cost guide for a deeper understanding of different budgets.
Decoding Antigua Guatemala Wedding Costs
Choose Antigua Guatemala for your wedding and create a stunning celebration filled with luxury. Here's why it stacks up against Italy for discerning couples.
Venue Grandeur:
Imagine exchanging vows beneath colonial ruins or at stunning luxury venues with a truly unique volcanic backdrop. Some Guatemala wedding venues include this with your catering, costing around 10-15% on top of the food bill. Booking the Ruins of Antigua Guatemala would cost $1,000 to $2,650 per area (plus a damage deposit), this is a fraction of the €3,500 to €35,000 range you'd expect in Italy (just for a wedding venue).
To host a wedding at a luxury venue in Antigua Guatemala, such as Villa Bokeh, you will need to book the entire hotel. Guests who stay on the premises can help split the costs. For an accurate estimation of a Villa Bokeh wedding cost as a whole, consider scheduling a Wedding Budget Consultation.
Exquisite Dining:
Italian wedding menus can be extravagant, costing €150 to €200 per person. In Guatemala, $45 a guest gets you a delectable three-course meal with a refreshing drink. The cake is a separate indulgence, starting at a delightful $8 a slice (depending on your chosen design).
Fancy indulging further? Midnight snacks and cocktail appetizers elevate your celebration, consider this for your budget upgrade.
Flowers that Impress:
Budget Italian floral arrangements come with a hefty price tag of €4,000 to €10,000! For the same quality of service, Guatemala budget wedding florals start at $3,000 USD and provide much more volume. Of course, you can scale up, upgrade, and customize everything to your vision, but it will still be significantly more affordable than the same version in Italy.Â
Please note that most Guatemala destination wedding references you will find on Pinterest or Instagram DO NOT stick to an entry-level service; be prepared to match your expectations with your wedding budget.
Entertainment with Flair:
If you want to enjoy a lively party atmosphere, you can hire an entry-level DJ for $500 USD in Guatemala, while the starting price in Italy is €850. Please note that lights and the dance floor are additional in both locations.
For a more elegant feel with instrumental music, the cost in Guatemala is $100 USD per hour, compared to a minimum of €500 in Italy. When it comes to live bands, Guatemala offers great options ranging from $2,000 to $3,500 USD, whereas Italy's prices start at €1,500 - €6,000 and international firms can charge much more.
Capturing Memories in Style:
Documenting your Guatemala wedding memories is essential to preserve them. In Italy, entry-level photographers charge around €4,500, while you can find emerging photographers in Guatemala starting at $1,800 USD, and award-winning photographers begin at $4,000 USD.
Beauty that Endures:
Looking radiant on your wedding day is a must! Hairstyling and makeup services in Guatemala start at $140 USD, compared to Italy's €400 minimum. That being said, keep in mind that on-site services have a travel fee and a minimum package requirement but that is something you can split with your wedding party or those who will be taking the service.
Grand Transportation:
Whether it's transporting your wedding party or all your guest list, Guatemala offers spacious vans that seat up to 29 passengers for $230 USD, whereas Italy starts at €350 for only 16 people.
A Grand Finale:
End your night with a spectacular fireworks display! Prices in Guatemala start at $300 USD, compared to Italy's €3,000 minimum.
Luxurious Accommodations:
Guatemala offers unique accommodations at a fraction of the cost compared to Italy. Three-star hotels can be cozy and welcoming, starting at around $90 USD per night, while Italy typically has nightly rates starting at about €250. For that price in Guatemala, you can enjoy a charming four-star hotel with colonial architecture, a fantastic restaurant, and an in-house spa.
So what is the Guatemala wedding cost per person?
While you might be looking for a simple per-person breakdown, the truth is, Guatemala wedding costs are influenced by too many wonderful nuances to give a one-size-fits-all answer!
Use our handy Guatemala Wedding Budget Calculator to plug-in all your numbers and use it as a guide for hidden fees, or book a Budget planning consultation to go in-depth and get accurate vendor prices.
In the meantime, let's talk about a budget for a luxury 30-person wedding:
Italy: around €100,000.
Guatemala: an intimate luxury wedding (30-person) starts from $50,000 USD, with a very achievable $25,000 USD for a mid-range celebration for the same guest count.
Ready to Start Planning?
Stay tuned for the next part of our Money Talks series, where we'll delve deeper into the financial aspects of destination weddings. If you're ready to start planning your unforgettable Antigua Guatemala wedding, click the button.