“From our very first meeting with Marcella and her team, we knew we were in the best possible hands. They immediately put us at ease, and what could have been a stressful planning process became an enjoyable and exciting...”Rachel & Scott
“We cannot express enough how wonderful it has been to work with Sandra and the Sonho a Dois team. The flexibility, the attention to detail, the care, all amongst many things that have contributed to a wonderful wedding...”Miriam & Luca
“The most amazing venue - everyone was blown away by it. Wish we could go back and do it all again!”Anna Wroe
“We had the most wonderful wedding thanks to Patricia and her team. She was so on top of everything and really helped us feel completely present and enjoy the day. If you're thinking about working with a wedding planner,...”Catie
“If you are thinking about booking this venue do it! We just had the most amazing 3 days with everything from food to service to the ceremony exceeding expectations. The staff and service is brilliant. The whole wedding...”Niamh
“I could not have asked for a better day of coordinator! Beatrice went above and beyond for us - she helped so much in the planning process and made our day run so smoothly! Most of all, she brought a bright energy, and...”Megan
“Villamena was truly a fairytale wedding and I could not have asked for a better venue to be at. We created a 5 day celebration with 85 of our closest friends and family. The property had lots of space for guests and...”Carley
Start with three decisions that shape everything else: roughly how many guests you expect to travel, your overall budget, and the kind of setting you want, Mediterranean villa, beach resort, château or city. From there, a destination wedding planner does the heavy lifting: sourcing venues, booking trusted local suppliers, and managing the legal paperwork, which differs from country to country.
One key question to settle early is whether you want a legally binding ceremony abroad or a symbolic one. Some countries (such as Malta, Italy and Portugal) make a legal ceremony for non-residents relatively straightforward, while others (such as Spain and France) effectively require you to marry legally in Ireland first and hold a symbolic ceremony at the destination. The specialists listed here will guide you to the right option for your chosen country.
A destination wedding can cost less than a traditional wedding at home, partly because guest numbers are usually smaller, though the final figure depends heavily on the country, the venue and how many suppliers you bring in. Many planners offer destination wedding packages that bundle the venue, ceremony, photography and coordination, which makes budgeting far simpler. Tell any of the specialists below your guest numbers and what you have in mind, and they will put together a tailored quote and package.