A special occasion is always cause for celebration, however, having fun while staying within your budget can be tricky – particularly if you’re hoping to commemorate the big event overseas, which can result in additional expenses. However, with careful planning, it’s possible to go all-out abroad, whether for your wedding, a significant birthday, or any other momentous milestone.
You shouldn’t have to settle for anything less than perfect when it comes to planning for a significant celebration. In this short guide, we share everything you need to know about budgeting for a special occasion if you’re currently travelling or are planning a big holiday abroad.
Key Takeaways
- A special occasion deserves an extraordinary celebration, which is all the more reason to make merry somewhere totally beautiful and exotic
- Whether you’re after an adrenaline-filled adventure to mark a particular personal milestone, or want to experience a romantic occasion with your significant other in total tropical serenity, heading away from home is a wonderful way to have the celebration of a lifetime
Create Your Travel Budget First
If you’re heading abroad specifically for the special event, splitting up your budget into various pots can be helpful to simplify the planning process. Start by budgeting for your travel costs only, calculating only that which you’ll need for your transport, accommodation, and other essential expenses such as food and travel insurance.
There’s no use in spending lots of money on your celebratory activities only to have to spend the rest of your time abroad getting by on the bare minimum. Ensure you can afford a good standard of everyday living first, then start to think about how much you can spend to make the occasion extra-special.
Worried about how you’ll manage your money abroad? It’s best to take precautions such as ensuring you have access to online banking, carrying multiple forms of payment, and assessing transaction fees prior to setting off on your trip.
Factor in the Celebration Details
How much you spend on your celebration will depend on the occasion. For example, a honeymoon or wedding will cost a significant sum – while an anniversary, birthday, or achievement milestone may only warrant you forking out for a celebratory dinner or evening party.
Identify your must-haves for your celebration, and set aside money for those first. It’s a good idea to create a checklist so nothing is missed. This might include items like food, decor, entertainment, and transport to and from the location of your celebration.
To get more for your money, you may want to think about ways you can cut costs at this point. For example, by shopping secondhand for party decorations, searching around for catering and entertainment deals, or considering whether or not your event guests would be able to cover the cost of their own transportation.
It’s always best to over-estimate how much money you’ll need to cover the cost of your celebration, particularly when overseas – it’s best to have a little extra in your pocket in case of unexpected expenses you could incur while travelling. You could need those additional funds for anything from baggage fees to additional tax expenses, or even to cover the cost of an emergency.
Consider Money-Saving Options
If after creating your budget your money isn’t stretching quite as far as you hoped it would, there are routes you can take to celebrate your special occasion on a slightly smaller budget. Consider utilizing any credit available to you, or opt for a buy now, pay later holiday to cover the cost of your trip, which will allow you to book upfront while paying off the total cost over time. If you’ve left yourself plenty of time to plan, you could save up a significant amount of money before the special occasion – this just means you’ll potentially need to wait a little longer to book your break.
The longer you leave yourself to plan your celebration, the more money you’re likely to save. Holiday experiences tend to be cheaper the earlier you book them, so it’s worth looking into the deals available to you as soon as you have an idea of what you’d like to do.
Above all else, you want to make sure you don’t rush the planning of your celebration, as last minute experiences tend to be more pricey. Plus, without adequate preparation time, they’re less likely to go off without a hitch.
Final Word
While celebrating a special occasion abroad can incur additional expenses, it’s worth noting that you may be able to find locations that make for a significantly cheaper experience than you’d be able to have at home – even after transport and accommodation expenses have been taken into account. Take the time to shop around for the best destination to suit your needs and budget.
A special occasion deserves an extraordinary celebration, which is all the more reason to make merry somewhere totally beautiful and exotic. Whether you’re after an adrenaline-filled adventure to mark a particular personal milestone, or want to experience a romantic occasion with your significant other in total tropical serenity, heading away from home is a wonderful way to have the celebration of a lifetime.
