June, moon, spoon, and spend. This is the month that brings thoughts of weddings and their exorbitant costs. According to CostofWedding.com, the average wedding will cost $27,000 -- and that's merely the average. No wonder many couples choose destination weddings, with their built-in honeymoons, so that even with pricey packages they may save. (Their guests, however, will spend an average of $900 each to attend.) Here are some examples:
Occidental Hotels & Resorts, an all-inclusive chain, offers its Grand Wedding Experience package free year- round in Aruba, Antigua, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico. To be eligible, couples must book a certain number of room nights in the ``Royal Club" section of the resort. Occidental says that, for instance, you will save $18,000 or more off the average cost, based on booking a minimum of six Royal Club Luxury rooms at the Occidental Grand Cozumel for a minimum stay of four nights at a rate of $718 per person, double occupancy, Sept. 1-Oct. 31. The Grand Wedding Package includes preparation of documents, a certified marriage license, legal fees, the justice of the peace, witnesses, a decorated wedding site, a wedding coordinator, champagne, an à la carte wedding reception for up to 20 people, live music, the bridal bouquet and groom's boutonniere, the cake, photos, a candlelight dinner for the happy couple, and continental breakfast in bed the morning after the wedding.
