2025 was a wild year for destination weddings.
More couples traveled to have their weddings in paradise than ever before!
So, we decided to put together some stats we think you’ll love!
Why listen to us?
We’re ParadiseWeddings.com, an award-winning wedding company behind 1000s of destination weddings… and we sourced this data from the largest industry suppliers.
What are you waiting for?
Dig in below!!! 👇
Top 8 Most Interesting Destination Wedding Statistics from 2025
1. Average Airfare Spent on a Destination Wedding
Couples fly in from all over America.
It’s important to remember that someone flying in from Seattle to Cancun will typically pay more than Miami to Cancun.
The average cost considered:
1) City they’re flying in from (gateway)
2) Where they’re flying to (destination)
3) How far in advance the flight was booked
The average couple spent $1,000 to $1,200 on flights per couple (around $500 to $600 per person).
Source: Statistical significance was reached by polling major travel wholesalers, representing thousands traveling for destination weddings. The price range above represents the most accurate data available.
2. Average Number of Guests at a Destination Wedding
In 2025, the landscape changed when it came to guests attending destination weddings!
The average number of wedding guests to attend a destination wedding in 2025 was… 60 to 70 guests!
Group Quantity Ranges
10-25
25-50
50-100
100-250
Over 250
Over the last 5 years we can see that the wedding groups are getting larger.
We saw an
– 8% increase in 2021
– 12% increase in 2022
– 7% increase for 2023
– 5% increase for 2024
– Not much increase for 2025
3. Average Planning Timeline
So how far in advance did book their destination wedding for 2025?
The average planning timeline was 12 to 18 months.
Couples are planning earlier to:
- Lock in better rates
- Secure preferred resorts and dates
- Give guests more time to plan travel
4. Average Cost of a Wedding Package
Destination wedding packages range between $1,000 to $20,000. There are even FREE packages.
For 2025…
Average wedding package: $6,450 to $6,550.
It’s was about the same in 2024 but when comparing it to $30,000, which is the average cost of a wedding in the U.S., destination weddings saved couples a lot of money money on their wedding.
And there’s more…
A wedding package in this price range typically includes:
- 50 guests
- venue of your choice (beach, garden, poolside, terrace)
- wedding ceremony
- the reception
- food and drink
- the wedding cake
- DJ
Keep in mind, most wedding guests stay at the resort with the couple. So you have 50 friends and family connecting, sometimes for the first time, at all hours of the day and night for 4 nights – 5 days (on average).
Discover the 10 Most Popular Destination Wedding Packages.
5. How Much Do Guests Spend?
With guests traveling from all over the country, sometimes the world, guest spend can vary.
However, when it comes to accommodation we got those numbers.
Guest spend, on average, $1,400 on accommodation at a destination wedding.
At the rate of $300 to $400 per night (4-5 nights stay).
If we add $600 airfare you’re looking at guests spending an average of $2000 to attend a destination wedding.
6. Top 5 Most Popular Destinations for 2025
Destination weddings locations can range from Mexico to Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Costa Rica, and the Caribbean.
Top 5 Destinations were:
- Cancun (Caribbean side Mexico north and south)
- Punta Cana
- Puerto Vallarta
- Cabo
- Jamaica
Weddings in the Dominican Republic and Costa Rica really picked up in terms of popularity in 2025 with couples wanting to explore destinations outside Mexico.
You’ll want to keep in mind that the Riviera Maya is just south of Cancun International Airport, the main hub for that entire region.
Riviera Maya is everything in the rectangle above. Riviera Maya includes Akumal and Tulum.
7. Top 10 Most Popular Resorts for 2025
Choosing a resort for your destination wedding is no easy feat.
With 1000s of resorts to choose from, there are a handful that couples gravitated towards.
The 10 Most Popular Resorts were:
8. Most Popular Month to Get Married
When it comes to destination weddings, the standards change.
For your standard local wedding, October is typically the most popular month to get married.
For destination weddings that changes.
The most popular month for 2025 was: May
The average temperature in Cancun for May:
The average precipitation in Cancun for May:
Destination Wedding Trends for 2026
So what trends are we seeing for 2026?
1) Adults-only weddings
We’re seeing a lot of adults-only wedding requests coming it. Screaming babies and kids are out, party is in!
2) Unique venues
Couples are wanting a unique experience, opting for venues away from standard all-inclusive resort weddings. They still want their guests staying at a resort together, but they’re curious about deserted beaches, beachfront villas, non-standard all-inclusive resorts weddings.
3) The move away from beach weddings 😲
You’d think beaches would never fall out of style, but they’re now taking a back seat to Sky Terraces and Beachfront Gazebos!
Fall is packed with bookings for these types of venues.
The picture above is the Beachfront Gazebo at The Fives Beach.
Brides love these venues because you can wear heels, you and your guest won’t get sandy, and they deliver a gorgeous backdrop to that special moment.
Want More Info?
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