Saving $ w/ a destination wedding

Most of the weddings I help coordinate are on a tight and smaller budget, which is what I love because its a challenge and they are usually a more fun and happy group of people. Dealing with tight budgets the topic of a destination wedding always comes up as a way to save money (usually from the parents). Yes destination weddings can be amazing and fun and you will probably have gorgeous pictures but if you are thinking of doing it as a way to save $ be carefull, and think it through. Most people want to run away and have a small ceremony and then come back home and have a big reception, which is not saving you any money at all, infact that will be more expensive. The reception is where you spend all your money the ceremony is next to free. So if you are looking into a destination wedding to save money, go for it, but you'll have to ditch the big reception at home if you want to save $. Instead have a small reception when you come back or just have a website with pictures and info about the event so your friends and family who couldnt attend can still feel included.