What do you envisage when imagining a wedding abroad? A sun-drenched day surrounded by your closest family and friends sipping cocktails by the sea? A picture-perfect scenario is the first thing that comes to mind. The temptation of all that other countries have to offer that Ireland can’t is very hard to resist. But before you book, it’s worth asking… is a wedding abroad right for you?
The obvious advantage of a wedding abroad is escaping the enormous budget-busting wedding at home. Having a really good reason to reduce the guest list. Enjoying the beach, the sun, the exotic food. Basically, the stuff movies are made of. We don’t always think about ending up in a possible tourist trap, not knowing the language, or where to find help if something goes wrong. That said, thousands of couples marry abroad every year, and their numbers are increasing. We’re here to help you answer the question: is a wedding abroad right for you?
Budgeting and pricing
Why are weddings abroad so good for your pocket? Often, there are obligations to invite guests to a local wedding, but they probably won’t want to travel to another country. Therefore, you get to keep things intimate, and invite only the people you really want to be there.
This leads onto to another vital advantage – pricing. You tend to get a lot more for your money with a destination wedding. An increasingly popular option now is the private villa wedding. Couples hire a beautiful villa for a few days or a week, which they fill with their nearest and dearest. They hire in caterers who usually operate at a fraction of the cost of the bigger hotels and restaurants. The couples can also buy their own alcohol: a huge money-saver comparing to an average Irish wedding!
The sun and the stars
Then there is the obvious advantage that mustn’t be overlooked: the weather. There is nothing like a bit of sunshine to put a smile on people’s faces and get them into holiday mode, creating a vibe that just can’t be captured at home. But is a wedding abroad right for you if you are uncomfortable in hot weather? You don’t have to marry at the height of summer. Spring and autumn may be less expensive.
The planning from far away
Of course there are also the negatives. Many couples feel there will be a loss of control when organizing their wedding in a different country. They can’t speak to people face-to-face and keep a close and personal eye on things. The first obvious piece of advice here is to make sure you get a good wedding planner. You then have a direct link to a voice of experience who will hopefully be able to recommend reliable suppliers and be your ‘man on the ground’ for all your questions and concerns.
Booking a venue sight unseen
Often, couples don’t have a chance to see their chosen venue until the day of their wedding. This is not ideal, but if you can’t go, you should rely on opinions from other brides. But, let’s say you actually can travel to the venue before the wedding. After an initial visit, you should try to visit the area at least one more time before the big day. Of course, you should make some time to meet the wedding planner too, and as many suppliers as possible.
Transport links are excellent now and getting a plane to most destinations is just like getting on a bus. Many decide to turn the trip into a holiday and book into hotels or apartments for a week or more. Again, a good planner should be able to help advise on different accommodation options to suit all budgets and tastes.
Don’t get lost in legalities
A word of warning – there is a lot of misinformation online about the legalities involved with a wedding abroad. It is always worth speaking to an expert such as a planner or embassy official, as rules and regulations can vary from town-to-town as well as from country to country. There are often different rules for religious and non-religious ceremonies. The rules also change with the legislation, so the information you find online may not be the most recent one. To answer the question ‘is a wedding abroad right for you’, you must have the legalities confirmed first and foremost.
Look for personal recommendations
These days a bride has so much information at her fingertips, she can go online to any place where brides gather and discuss previous wedding experiences. Nothing beats a personal recommendation. It’s always a good idea to ask the suppliers for references too, but honestly, they probably won’t give you any of the less-than-perfect ones.
Other things to consider
Beloved elderly or sick relatives – will you be very sad your grandparents can’t make it?
Is there a female (bridesmaid, sister) who will be in advanced stages of pregnancy around wedding time, and unable to fly?
Do you hate the heat, or burn easily in the sun?
Is anyone going to travel with babies?
So is a wedding abroad right for you?
Above all, a wedding abroad should not be a risky or stressful venture. With the right support and advice, it can be an opportunity to create your dream day with the added bonus of (almost) guaranteed sunshine!
Main image from our article about weddings in France (warning, it may cause you to book a wedding there immediately).
