Big Destination Wedding or Elopement in Europe? Questions to Ask Before You Choose
The short answer: A big destination wedding makes sense when most of the people you love can get there, and you have the budget for a planner who stays all day. An elopement in Europe makes sense when the place and the experience matter more than the headcount. The more guests you bring, the more vendors, contracts, transport and backup plans you need, all organised from the other side of the world. Before you choose, ask who has to be there, what it will cost them, and who will look after you on the day.
Quick facts
A mid-range destination wedding in Italy for 60 to 100 guests usually costs €40,000 to €70,000, about $65,000 to $113,000 AUD, before your own flights. These are indicative prices published by Italian wedding planners in 2026.
One of our 2026 couples spent $19,410 AUD on their whole elopement in France, including return flights from Brisbane for two.
Return flights from Brisbane to Europe cost that couple about $2,000 each. Every guest you invite from Australia pays something similar, before accommodation and time off work.
Attending a wedding in Australia usually costs a guest $200 to $500.
The average Australian wedding has 88 guests.
Europe is 8 to 10 hours behind the east coast of Australia, depending on the time of year, so most planning happens by email and early morning or late night calls.
Why this choice matters more overseas
At home, if the caterer runs short of staff or it rains, you probably know someone who can help. Overseas, you're relying on people you've mostly met on video calls, often working in a second language, in a place your guests don't know.
Every guest you add brings more to organise:
transport to and from the venue
a bigger indoor space if the weather turns
more catering and bar staff
more accommodation to find
more people asking you what's happening next
A big wedding in Europe can go beautifully. The planning, the contracts and the people on the ground just matter more.
8 questions to ask before you choose
1. Who actually has to be there?
Write the names of the people you couldn't get married without. Stop when you hit someone you'd invite out of obligation.
If the list is up to 30, you’re planning a micro wedding, If it's 80 people and every one of them matters, a bigger wedding might be right for you.
It might also be better held at home for ease of planning and costs to your guests.
2. What will it cost your guests?
A wedding in Australia usually costs a guest $200 to $500. A wedding in Europe can cost them several thousand dollars once you add flights, accommodation and leave from work.
Think about who can afford it, and how they'll feel if they can't. A smaller group of people who really want to make the trip often makes for a better day.
3. How much planning do you want to do from Australia?
A wedding for 100 people usually means a venue, caterer, bar service, florist, hair and makeup, music, transport, a planner, a photographer and a celebrant. That's a lot of contracts, in euros, across time zones.
An elopement usually needs a photographer, a celebrant and a few extras, like flowers, a dinner booking or a musician.
4. What happens if the weather turns?
Storms roll in without warning in parts of Europe in late summer, and heat can be hard work in the middle of the day.
For a big wedding, you need an indoor space that fits every guest and that you'd be happy to get married in. Ask to see it, and ask how and when the decision to move inside gets made.
A small group can move more easily. You can change the time, go to a second spot, or wait out a shower.
5. Who will look after you on the day?
"Full service planning" can mean very different things. Some planners organise everything beforehand, then leave the day itself to the venue or to assistants.
Ask:
Who is with us on the day, by name?
What time do they arrive, and what time do they leave?
Who tells us what's happening next?
Who deals with the vendors if something goes wrong?
Get the answers in writing. Our guide to hiring vendors in Europe has a full checklist.
6. Is it the place or the people?
If the dream is standing on a terrace above Lake Como, you can have that with 2 people or 20.
If the dream is everyone you love on one dance floor, that's easier and cheaper to do at home. Some couples do both: a small ceremony in Europe, then a party back home when they return.
7. Would you rather spend it on the day, or on the trip?
The same money can go a long way in different directions. One of our 2026 couples spent $19,410 on their elopement in France, then another $3,300 on their honeymoon. See every line of their budget in How Much Does It Cost to Elope in Europe from Australia?
A mid-range wedding for 100 guests in Italy could cost three to six times that, before anyone's flights.
8. How will you feel if some people can't come?
Some people won't be able to make it, whichever you choose. Talk about it early, and decide together who you'll tell first and how.
Many couples share the ceremony later, with photos, a video or a get-together at home.
Side by side
Indicative cost in Italy. Big destination wedding (80 to 100 guests): €40,000 to €70,000 for a mid-range wedding, before your flights. Elopement in Europe (just you, or up to about 30 guests): Our 2026 couple spent $19,410 AUD all up, including their flights
Vendors to book. Big destination wedding (80 to 100 guests): Often 8 to 12. Elopement in Europe (just you, or up to about 30 guests): Often 2 to 5
Cost for each guest from Australia. Big destination wedding (80 to 100 guests): Flights, accommodation and leave. Elopement in Europe (just you, or up to about 30 guests): The same, for far fewer people
Weather backup. Big destination wedding (80 to 100 guests): An indoor space for everyone. Elopement in Europe (just you, or up to about 30 guests): A second spot or a change of time
Planning from Australia. Big destination wedding (80 to 100 guests): A lot of contracts, in euros. Elopement in Europe (just you, or up to about 30 guests): A few contracts
Legal side. Big destination wedding (80 to 100 guests): Marry legally at home, or sort the foreign paperwork. Elopement in Europe (just you, or up to about 30 guests): Marry legally at home, or sort the foreign paperwork
Best for. Big destination wedding (80 to 100 guests): Couples whose people can all travel, with budget for on-site planning. Elopement in Europe (just you, or up to about 30 guests): Couples who want it small and care most about the place and the experience
When a big destination wedding is the right call
It's the right choice for some couples. For example, if:
most of your guests already live in Europe, or are travelling there anyway
one of you has family from the region, and the wedding is a way to bring everyone together there
you want a wedding over several days, and have the budget for a planner who is there for all of it
you've found vendors and seen full galleries of weddings they've done
If that's you, take your time choosing a venue. Ask hard questions about the backup space and who is on site, and trust your gut about vendors early.
The middle ground: elope in Europe, celebrate at home
Every Lovefool couple eloping in Europe has their legal ceremony at home first, or after the trip. Some add a party too.
Legal ceremony in Australia. Izzy marries you at home, often with parents or a few close people there. See Marry at Home, Celebrate in Europe.
Your symbolic ceremony in Europe. Just the two of you, or up to about 30 guests.
A party at home, if you want one. A long lunch, a backyard party or drinks at the pub, with the photos and content from Europe playing on a projector- cute!
What it looked like for one of our 2026 couples
One of our couples from Brisbane wanted to elope in the south of France. First, they booked an Airbnb in Lake Macquarie and brought their parents for a weekend away. Emily and Izzy spent an hour and a half with them there, doing the legal ceremony and some photos.
Two months later they flew to Paris, drove south, and married at the Airbnb they were staying in. Emily photographed the day, Izzy ran the ceremony, a musician played and a private chef cooked dinner.
Their whole elopement and honeymoon cost $19,410 AUD, including their flights. These are real costs they shared with us.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between a destination wedding and an elopement?
A destination wedding usually brings a full guest list overseas, with a reception. An elopement is smaller, often just the couple or up to about 30 people (a micro wedding), and built around the ceremony and the experience. See What Does Elope Mean?
Is a destination wedding cheaper than a wedding in Australia?
Not usually for a big wedding. A mid-range destination wedding in Italy for 60 to 100 guests is about €40,000 to €70,000, before flights. An elopement in Europe can cost less than an average Australian wedding.
How much does it cost guests to go to a wedding in Europe?
Several thousand dollars each from Australia. Return flights from Australia to Europe typically costs about $2,000 return, before accommodation.
Can we elope in Europe and still have a party at home?
Yes. Many couples marry legally in Australia, have their symbolic ceremony in Europe, then celebrate with everyone when they get back.
How many guests can come to an elopement in Europe?
It depends on the team. Lovefool's Europe elopements work for just the two of you, or up to about 30 guests.
Do we need a wedding planner for a destination wedding in Europe?
For a big wedding, usually yes, and ask exactly who is there on the day and until what time. For an elopement, a photographer and celebrant who include planning and on-the-day coordination can often cover it. Our packages include both. See the Europe packages