The likes of Coleen Rooney, Billie Faiers and George Clooney have all chosen to tie the knot abroad, and with gorgeous weather and beautiful scenery, who can blame them? If you're considering getting married abroad, once the coronavirus travel restrictions are lifted, then you may be wondering where to start with planning. With help from the experts, we will guide you through the 10 top tips to allow you to pull off your dream destination wedding…
MORE: How to rent your entire wedding day: from décor to dresses
WATCH: The most expensive royal weddings of all time
1. Give your guests lots of notice
"Once you know the date of the wedding, you can start sending out save the date cards – best to give more notice if you're planning a destination wedding. At this stage you can give as much or as little information as you like: the key is to share date and location, and of course if you already know it will be a certain type of celebration (for example, multiple-day) that’s something you can let guests know now." (Vaishali Shah, Creative Director, ANANYA cards)
SHOP: Distsy Chic save the date luggage tag, £1 each, Not on the High Street
BUY NOW
2. Style your wedding to suit the venue and location
"There are so many options nowadays for destination weddings and each location gives the opportunity for different styling and wedding design. An opulent villa on the Italian lakes leads to dining alfresco at dusk amongst the olive trees lit by chandeliers that seem to float magically above the long tables. Go to a tropical destination and you'll want plenty of bright pops of colour, exotic native flowers and luxurious white orchids in abundance. Whereas a French chateau or palace brings more a classic fairy tale look - the ornate detailing of the interiors is the perfect backdrop for plenty of gold, opulent table details and antique candelabra.
REAL-LIFE: "We've spent half our salaries on a 2021 wedding despite the pandemic - here's our budget breakdown"
"When styling a destination wedding, always work with the location rather than imposing a style into an unsuitable setting. That way you guarantee the venue and styling are the scenery, not the star of the show. " (Sarah Shuttle, Creative Director, Sarah Shuttle Creative)
3. Tailor your beauty look accordingly
© Photo: iStock" Let your hairstylist know how your hair reacts to the climate (humidity) and different water. This will enable the morning to run smoothly. Nobody wants to have a Monica whilst walking down the aisle!" (Sally-Kate Duboux, Bridal Hair Stylist, Hair By Duboux)
4. Research the legal implications
"Do your research into that country first to ensure you are aware of legal implications. Not checking the legalities can mean you may not be legally married! Some countries have a residency period of 7 days before you can legally marry. In France for example it is 40 continuous days." (Bernadette Chapman, Director of The UK Alliance of Wedding Planners)
5. Ensure you have the correct documentation
© Photo: iStock"Contact the UK-based embassy of the country you want to marry in, just to clarify what documentation you need for a wedding in that country. The embassy can give you the most up-to-date information regarding the legal requirements. If you are unable to meet legal requirements and/or residency requirements you may wish to have a symbolic ceremony abroad and a legal one in the UK." (Bernadette Chapman, Director of The UK Alliance of Wedding Planners)
With a notebook as cute as this, wedmin will be a joy:
Wedding planner, £15.59, Amazon
SHOP NOW
READ: 10 wedding etiquette rules you didn't even know existed
6. Consider your guests
"Destination weddings are often more cost-effective for the wedding couple (you get more for your money). BUT they are way more costly for your guests due to travel and accommodation. If possible, offer alternative hotels, that maybe a little more cost effective nearby." (Kelly Mortimer, International Wedding Venue Consultant, Kelly Mortimer)
7. Choose your stationery to suit your destination
"Commissioning a bespoke illustration (of the wedding venue or the country you are getting married in) for your invitation suite is a lovely touch. This also makes a wonderful keepsake for you after the wedding! If there are colours native to the location, country, or season when you’re getting married, you can incorporate these too." (Vaishali Shah, Creative Director, ANANYA cards)
SHOP: Tropical floral wedding invitations, from £24 for 10, Papier
BUY NOW
8. Re-think the traditional wedding cake
"Try not to replicate a UK wedding cake in a foreign country. The weather conditions may mean that it is too hot for a buttercream or fully iced cake and you will need to think about how the cake will be displayed. You will also need to consider what kind of designs the local bakeries can actually make (unless you have your cake flown over especially). My advice would be to embrace the local cake traditions as they will be suitable for that climate and will be the speciality of that area. It will also give your guests the opportunity to experience the local flavours and wedding traditions." (Debbie Gillespie, Cake Designer, Debbie Gillespie Cake Design)
REVEALED: 7 ways you didn't know Brexit will affect your wedding
9. Choose your wedding venue carefully
© Photo: iStockMORE: Stylish wedding face masks and coverings you'll say 'I do' to
"Ensure you have absolute trust in your wedding venue coordinator. The person you’ll be dealing with at the venue is always important but even more so with a destination wedding. As they’ll be your point of contact through planning and likely on the day. Be sure you feel comfortable with them and check how much support they can actually give. For example, will there be a video call each month and will they be coordinating on the day?" (Kelly Mortimer, International Wedding Venue Consultant, Kelly Mortimer)
10. Ask for help
Ask family. Asking a grandparent or parent about what inspires them from their culture could assist you with injecting any cultural elements into your stationery. And it’s a great way to include them in the wedding planning.
This article contains affiliate links, which means HELLO! may earn a small commission if a reader clicks through and makes a purchase. More information.
Like this story? Sign up to our newsletter to get other stories like this delivered straight to your inbox.
