Tips For A Destination Wedding

Want to take your special day to another level and plan a destination wedding? In today’s post, I am going to cover some tips and tricks on how to plan a stress-free destination wedding that is on budget and doable! There’s a lot to cover so let’s go ahead and get started!

 

Choose The Location

 
First things first, the location. This is the exciting part! Where will your dream wedding take place? Will it be a few hours away or halfway across the world? Before you decide (if you haven’t already) there are a few things to keep in mind and consider.
 
Keep in mind your guests. If you want the important people in your life to be able to attend your special day, make sure the location you choose is doable for them. This means financially and physically. Is it too far out of their budget? Is it on top of a mountain that grandma won’t be able to hike?
 
-A big tip: visit in advance! If you have never actually been to your dream location, it might be a good idea to make a trip out of it and visit the location to ensure it really is your dream location.
 
Keep in mind your budget. Now, this may sound obvious but if you are a person who likes to throw caution to the wind and go all out- plant your feet on the ground and make sure it’s doable for you! I mean, don’t get me wrong, your wedding day is supposed to be a day to splurge and go all out but you want to make sure it doesn’t completely break the bank!
 

 

 

Time Of Year

 
Once you have selected the destination, you’ll need to set a date! When doing so just be sure to keep in mind the seasonality of the place your traveling to. For example, if you want a breathtaking outdoor wedding in a country or state that naturally has a cold climate, maybe avoid wintertime to skip below freezing temperatures.
 
Also, be sure to keep in mind what your vision is! Are you picturing being surrounded by fall leaves, a field of flowers, a dessert setting, etc? Choose the time of year according to your vision of the perfect wedding day!

 

Give Your Guests Plenty Of Notice

 
Depending on what your plans are, destination weddings can typically be expensive for your guests travel-wise. They may have to book a flight, rent a car, find a hotel, budget for food, and so on. Because of this, be sure to give them plenty of notice (at least 8 months) so they can prepare! With a destination wedding, keep in mind that not everyone will be able to come. It might not be doable for everyone so make sure you are okay with that possibility.

 

 

 

Marriage Requirements

 
Be sure to research local marriage requirements. Fun fact: France requires you to arrive at least 40 days before your wedding or elopement. Skip any surprises and do your research to ensure that where you choose is doable in terms of how long you have to reside in the country before your ceremony!
 

Hire

 
Weddings in general tend to be stressful so a destination wedding will likely not be an exception! Consider hiring a wedding planner to take some weight off of your shoulders and make your day run smoother. If you are wanting more tips on a stress-free wedding, I have a whole blog post on it!
 
If you are currently planning a destination wedding and are looking for a photographer- I love to travel and would love to capture your special day! Click here for more information and to book me now! Considering Eloping? Click here to learn more about eloping and find out if it’s a good fit for you!
 
What’s your dream location for your destination wedding? Let me know in the comments below!

about anna

Anna is a wedding photographer based out of Bellingham, Washington. She is a coffee lover and a momma to her three little girls.

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  1. David Walker says:

    It’s great to learn that you should research local marriage requirements if you’re having a wedding in another area. My fiancee and I are getting married soon and we were wondering how we could prepare to get married in another state. I’ll be sure to tell her that we should research local marriage requirements before setting up the ceremony.

  2. […] you liked this Washington state wedding, be sure to check out my other post on Tips For A Destination Wedding! If you are looking for someone to capture your dream wedding day or elopement, click here to book […]

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