We all want the wedding of our dreams… but odds are that dream wedding is not cheap. A recent article published on CNBC.com suggests the average wedding in the U.S. costs between $26,000 and and $28,500 USD.

“Depending on where you live, like the Big Apple, average costs can top $70,000,” reports CNBC’s Kelley Holland. “That’s higher than the median American household income.”

Those opting for a destination wedding are already one step-ahead when it comes to reducing wedding costs. Destination Weddings are often considered as the more budget-friendly wedding alternative, costing the couple anywhere between 2,000 to 10,000 dollars less than a traditional wedding at home. And, unlike traditional weddings, destination weddings typically include the honeymoon.

A great way to continue reducing that dream wedding tab is to transform your wedding expenses into wedding gifts from loved ones and guests. Here are some excellent ideas for couples looking to tie the knot in the Riviera Maya, Mexico:

1. Wedding Photography Gift Registry

We at Playaloves.me Photography allow family, friends and guests of our clients contribute to their loved one’s wedding collection, helping give the gift of professional wedding photography.

Just like engaged couples register for wedding gifts at stores, they can now register for their wedding photography with Playaloves.me! Playaloves.me will accept partial payments from family, friend and guests to be applied toward any contracted photography package.

Playaloves.me Photography Gift Registry

2. Hotel Wedding and Honeymoon Gift Registry

Many hotels and resorts are now offering a free bridal registry service. Guests can now gift you the perfect destination wedding or honeymoon.

Here are a few hotel chains with locations in the Riviera Maya that offer gift registry services:

Hyatt

Hilton

Fairmont

Many other hotels and resorts in the Riviera Maya offer this service. Whichever destination you choose, be sure to ask your favorite hotel/resort property about their gift registry policies.

3. Tours and Excursions Gift Registry

HoneymoonWishes offers a more comprehensive gift registry service that includes a large selection of hotel properties including Palace Resorts Properties, Karisma Hotel + Resorts Properties, Secrets Resorts + Spas Properties and more. The company even includes local excursions and tours as well as local shopping in its gift registry services. They also show you how it works through an online gift registry sample.

The world’s only full service honeymoon gift registry…

4. Cash Instead of a Gift

Joyce Mnguni, wedding planner at Dream Weddings Riviera Maya, suggests that couples simply ask for cash: Asking for Money Instead of a Wedding Gift.