Hey Everyone,

Sweetie and I want a destination wedding, but money is a huge issue for our guests. We want a beachy place that has all the tropical fixings (sailing, surfing, dolphin encounters, fishing, snorkeling, scuba diving, and lots of adventure) or any other kind of adventure, but we want it in a place that is affordable. His guests are in IL and mine are in MO. Him and his family are completely against Mexico (I don't see a problem with it, but his family refuses to go). Florida is a great option but upon research I found out about all the rules (having to end the party at 10pm) which kinda ruins it for me.

Can you ladies help me find an affordable destination?!

Thanks :)

Well you know there are some really cheap cruises if you book really early and cruise weddings are actually pretty cheap... With a lot of them you can choose to do it on the ship or on a beach... Just a warning price looks bigger up front then it really is but there is not food or entertainment cost because it is all included unless they wanna do all the fun excursions 

truthfully - even florida gets to be pretty expensive. I would know - i actually looked at several places. Granted that getting there is pretty affordable andeven a hotel could be reasonable, but actually having the wedding $$$$.

I really considered the http://www.caypointevilla.com/

which would have happened, hadn't my family talked me out of it. the people were so gracious in helping me try to figure out what i wanted. i thought it was spot on for the vision i had for the wedding. But then we ultimately decided that even if it was in florida, no guarantee that his mom would come. and sure enough we were right. so aruba it was!

The 10pm thing seems common as if you are having your wedding in a public place, or in a private estate.  We are getting married at a private estate in Maui and we have to be done at 10, so we are having an after party at a club near the condos we are staying in. 

I think the local noise ordinances will vary depending on the city/county you get married in.  When we got married in Islamorada, FL the noise ordinance stated outdoor music could continue until 11pm on Friday and Saturday (10 pm Sun-Thurs).  Our DJ finished up right around 11pm.  We continued the celebration after the DJ left, just with quieter iPod music. We also could have gone out to a nearby tiki bar for an after party, but preferred to stay at the private estate we rented.

we are doing Jamaica.  I know...Sandals can be pricey.  But we also have family staying 2 resorts over at Beaches Sandy Bay and they get in for free at Sandals Negril.  I blocked a group almost 18 months ago and the rates are so wonderful that my guests are shocked at the price.  I would first recommend dealing with a travel agent (one that is free) that primarily does DW's.  Then tell her the guests budget and what you want to spend.  I love my TA--Jennifer at VIP Vacations.  www.travelbyvip.com (look at the destination wedding couples on her site and see if you like any of those locations).

Hope that helps!