When you decide to have a destination wedding, the planning process shifts toward a more intimate setting. You will notice that the focus of attention is you and the location! The beauty of having a wedding in a dreamy destination provides you with the freedom to browse through many options and to create that magical feeling of enjoying a celebration with your closest people.
Since you are looking at getting married in a different country, one thing you need to have in mind is that you will not be present to overlook the planning process. Emails, Zoom calls, and your smartphone are going to become your best friends. The process of destination wedding planning is always a lengthy one. If you need some pointers that will guide you through the way, you have come to the right place! We are providing you with a simple guide on how to organize your wedding abroad.
– Choose the season
When it comes to planning a destination wedding, the first thing you need to keep in mind is how to choose the season. There is such a thing called high, low, and shoulder season. This means that depending on the season, rates for the venues and all the vendors fluctuate. The most sought-after season to get married in Europe is usually spring and summer.
Image by Craig Williams
In this case, there is another thing for you to be mindful of. August is a time in Europe when most vendors take some time off. This is also the time when the most popular locations in Europe are overwhelmed with tourists. It is incredibly hot, especially if you are looking into planning a wedding in Italy, Spain, and Greece. Consider it as a tip for a month that you should avoid getting married.
Since there must also be a specific budget that you would like to stick to, one of the best seasons to get married in Europe is spring and fall. The weather is nice – it is not too hot, all the vendors are available at your disposal, and your dream European destination wedding venue will not cost you as much.
– Check availability
Once you have decided on the destination of your dreams, the first thing you need to do is check for venue availability. Have several options while you are waiting for a response from the chosen place. In essence, waiting only for one venue’s response can lead to running out of options.
Take as an example the Greek islands. Many of the venues are incredibly busy during the summer months and take a lot longer to respond, but surprisingly, often it is after October and in the winter time when their response can take even longer! During the off-season, some Greek island venues would take weeks or even months to respond as the islands are usually closed down. So, we would recommend reaching out to several, instead of waiting for an answer from one. Opting for one choice will only waste your time and prolong your destination wedding planning. We recommend you choose a few different places and try to contact all of them at once. It will not only save you some time but will also give you a feel of how the vendors communicate and what to expect from them.
Cycladic Gem Villa Image by @Julie_Jules_p
– Go the extra mile
When you are planning a wonderful destination wedding, think about visiting the venue. Some couples find it difficult to organize everything remotely, and this is a step that eases the process significantly. This will allow you to scout out venues in person, check for rehearsal dinner spots, and have meetings with most of your potential vendors.
Having tete-a-tete communication is always the best option. It might be challenging to make multiple trips so you can get everything in order, but if you can do this at least once, you will make your entire destination wedding planning a lot easier!
– Get some help
As the wedding date approaches, it is completely normal for you to have jitters. But, if those jitters develop into a feeling of uneasiness and nervousness, then it might be time for you to start looking into getting some help. A destination wedding planner is the best way to get everything done without feeling overwhelmed.
They are professionals that will tend to all of your needs and wishes, contact vendors, and get the information back to you in the fastest manner. Whether you are looking for a hair and make-up vendor or you are looking into booking a band that will be in charge of the reception entertainment, a destination wedding planner is a solution you did not know you needed! From seamless step-by-step guidance to tailoring the perfect day to reflect your preferences, a professional will help you pull off a magical experience for all.
Image by Breindahl Films
– Get your documents
Remember, planning a destination wedding means that you should also take care of all the documents needed to do this. That being said, it is best to start with your passport! Both of you, as well as all your guests, need to own a valid passport so they would be able to get to the location.
The second thing is a marriage license. Getting married in Europe means that you might have to fill in some documents so you can meet the local marriage requirements. In some instances, you may even have to provide documents such as letters of intent, proof of residency, medical certificates, and birth certificates. Trust the process and carefully follow it. Make the proper research before starting to collect the documents – this is a step that will ease your process of making your marriage legal.
Another option is to tie the knot at home and host a symbolic ceremony at your European destination wedding venue. This will help you avoid a lot of headaches during the process of obtaining all the necessary documents.
We can only hope that you will take this destination wedding guide as a starting point in creating your magical day! After all, you can see that, with good organization, the planning process will go smoothly. So, all you need to do is have a list of things you need to do and stick to it.
And of course, if you require any help, feel free to schedule a call with us! As destination wedding planners, we will be happy to help you plan your dream day in Europe!