Monthly Wrap: Best budget-friendly European wedding destinations

Love is in the air, but that doesn’t instantly mean you’ve got an unlimited budget for your upcoming nuptials! To make sure you make the most of your money, we’ve put together a list of the best budget-friendly European wedding destinations.

Whether you’re looking for a beach-side reception or city-centre ceremony, we’ve got you covered.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

We’re starting off with the jewel of Croatia’s Dalmatian coastline, Dubrovnik. The city is known for its gorgeous views out toward the Adriatic Sea, its amazing food, and its historic architecture. The 1.2 mile long city walls are even listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The cities Old Town has become well-known in recent years for its appearance as King’s Landing in HBO television series Game of Thrones. It’s not every day you’re able to get married in the very heart of Westeros!

For those of you looking to head to Croatia for your special day, time of year can play a big part in costing your ceremony. Booking outside of the May-October peak season can save an average of 20-30%.

You can also cut costs for your Croatian wedding by hiring a symbolic officiant rather than a legal one, which can save an average of €1,000. Couples should also look to source local flowers and blooms that are in season rather than more expensive plants.

Lake Bled, Slovenia

A wedding in Slovenia is best enjoyed in the Alpine surroundings of Lake Bled. Visitors looking to elope to the area can choose from a variety of venues including the 1000-year-old Lake Bled Castle and villas along the lake’s edge.

Our personal favourite has to be the church situated on an island right in the middle of Lake Bled. The church has been used by couples for centuries, and Slovenian tradition dictates that the groom carries the bride up all 99 steps to ensure a long and happy marriage!

If you do choose Lake Bled for your upcoming nuptials, then it’s worth bearing in mind that planning a winter ceremony could help to significantly reduce your costs.

Budapest, Hungary

Another European wedding location bursting at the seams with history and culture is the Hungarian capital of Budapest. With over fifteen castles just in the city centre, you’ll be spoilt for choice if you’re looking to host a wedding to rival the royals!

You can also enjoy views along the beautiful river Danube as it bisects the historic city. Getting up early to get the best spot to watch the sunrise is a popular activity for visitors to the city.

Budapest also boasts a thriving gastronomic scene ideal for any aspiring foodies. Hosting a wedding in the city means couples can incorporate traditional Hungarian cuisine including Lesco stew, Fisherman’s soup, crescent bread, and fried cheese. 

Similar to other entries on our list, its best to book a ceremony out of season between September and October to trim your expenses. Consider venues outside of the city centre to further lower your costs. 

Paphos, Cyprus

According to data from 2021, Cyprus is possibly the most budget friendly wedding location in all of Europe! Small-scale weddings can come is as little as £4,000 including venue hire, accommodation, clothing, food, and other associated expenses.

It’s not just lower costs you’ll be getting access to if you choose Cyprus for your wedding. The island offers a wide variety of beautiful beaches, clear blue seas, and stunning landscapes.

In particular, the Pafos region is a fantastic combination of low costs and gorgeous vistas.  Additionally, the area’s eight-month-long summer season gives prospective couples more flexibility when choosing a date guaranteed to bring summer sun.

The region is also known as the birthplace of the Greek goddess Aphrodite, the deity of love and beauty. Surely there’s no more romantic place to say ‘I do’?

Malta, Maltese Islands

Speaking of gorgeous island destinations, be sure to add the Mediterranean island of Malta to your list. The island is well known for its hospitality to tourists, beautiful landscapes, and historic landmarks.

And with over 359 churches, cathedrals, and chapels to be found over the three Maltese islands you certainly won’t be struggling to find a venue! Couples looking for a civil wedding are also spoilt for choice, with options including the 19^th century Palazzo Paraisio and the harbourside 16^th century Saluting Battery.

The Maltese Islands also have some unique traditions that you might want to incorporate into your special day! Newly-married couples often arrive to and leave the ceremony in ostentatious Karrozzins (horse-drawn carriages). Weddings close to Valletta’s grand harbour can even make use of a traditional Dgħajsa water taxi.

Costs for a Maltese wedding can be cut by choosing a weekday ceremony. Local couples tend to opt for weekend weddings, so locking in a date during the week should be your first port of call. Choosing a date that falls before or after the popular summer season is also a must.

How Currencies Direct can help

Choosing a European destination for your wedding brings an extra headache of ensuring you get the best transfer rate for your money. Currencies Direct provides several services to help stretch your wedding budget even further.

A Forward Contract means you can pay to lock in a certain date and rate ahead of time. This future-proofs your transfer and protects your transfer from any market volatility.

If you’ve got more time to play with, then it might be worth considering a Limit Order. A Limit Order allows you to target a specific exchange rate, with the transfer only going ahead once that rate has been reached.

To learn more about how we could help you save money on your overseas wedding, get in contact on +44 (0) 20 7847 9400 or customer.s@currenciesdirect.com.