Destination Weddings
How to plan a destination wedding
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.
How much does a destination wedding cost?
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.
