Three crucial details to plan for a wedding abroad
A destination wedding is a dream for most couples, and some lucky soon-to-be-weds get to bring their vision for a foreign wedding to fruition. While it can be easy to get swept up in finding inspiration for your special day, there are a few more crucial details that you’ll want to ensure you plan with plenty of time to spare.
Here, we share three essential details you’ll want to put in your planner or checklist to ensure your wedding abroad goes seamlessly.
Legal requirements
Different places have different rules around getting married as a foreigner, so this is one aspect of wedding planning you won’t want to put on the back burner.
Take some of the most popular wedding destinations, for example: you can’t have a legal ceremony in Spain or Lanzarote, but you can in many other locations, such as Italy or Iceland. There are also destinations where you can get legally married in some cases, but there may be certain criteria you’ll need to meet, such as being a resident in the country for a certain amount of time.
The best way to ensure you’re able to have the kind of wedding you want in your chosen destination is to research the legal requirements ahead of time, speak to the appropriate authorities, and get your paperwork in order.
Local vendors
You may want to use some trusted vendors from your hometown, but it often makes the most financial and logistical sense to hire the vast majority from the area local to your wedding venue. Whether you’re after the perfect dress or need to track down a talented caterer, doing so in your chosen destination will ensure you don’t have to worry about transporting your items – or even your vendor – overseas.
Communicating with vendors who speak a different language from you can be tricky. Here, planning is crucial – consider hiring a translator to attend supplier meetings with you, and allow for some additional time to get to know the vendors you’ll be working with before your big day. This could look like having an initial phone appointment before flying out, or emailing back and forth with plenty of time to spare before signing on the dotted line for the services you require.
Travel and accommodation
Organizing your wedding travel can be complicated. Not only do you have to think about getting yourself and your spouse to your wedding, but there are also all your guests to think about too.
Most couples planning a destination wedding advise their guests to book their flights ahead of time, to secure the best rates and minimize stressful last-minute planning. Similarly, ensuring there are plenty of affordable accommodation options nearby is essential if you want your guests to be comfortable and happy.
Plan early and use the right tools
The key to great planning is getting started early, and using the right tools. Spreadsheets, templates and checklists specifically designed for wedding planning can help to simplify the process and ensure you don’t miss a single crucial detail on your list.
