Planning a Wedding Abroad

So, your other half has just proposed and the wedding you’ve always dreamed of is about to become a reality. That said, while getting wed to the love of your life is what it’s really all about, getting married overseas might just be at the top of your priority list. If this is the case, it’s likely you’re not totally sure how to go about organising a wedding abroad.

Though the prospect of getting married abroad might seem scary at first, planning a destination wedding doesn’t need to take any more effort than organising one in the UK.

Here, we’re going to explore different ways to make planning a wedding abroad that little bit easier, along with some helpful tips to ensure your big day is as dreamy as you always imagined it would be.

Planning a Wedding Abroad: Where to Start

Getting started can leave you feeling a little lost. While planning a wedding at home would usually begin with visiting venues and getting recommendations from loved ones, it’s not quite that straightforward when it comes to an overseas wedding.

The first thing you need to decide upon is where you’d like to get married. For some, it’s purely about the destination. For others, it’s all about the sentimental aspect.

Once you’ve chosen where you’d like to get married, it’s time to get the ball rolling with regards to the actual planning. If you’re able to, it’s always worth taking a trip to your chosen destination so you can get a feel for what the weather will be like, the logistics of getting there (taking into consideration that some guests may not be as mobile as others) and the prices you can expect to pay.

If you know what it is you’d want but would prefer to take a step back from the arrangements, then using a wedding planner could be for you. That said, while the idea of handing over all the planning to someone else might seem perfect to many, you may not be totally comfortable doing this in a foreign country. This might mean looking to a UK based wedding planner that specialises in overseas weddings (some will focus their attention on specific destinations) may be the best option, if this is a route you’d like to take.

A wedding planner should be able to offer you guidance on the best food, venues and other sundries that you’ll need to take into account. They should also be on hand if you have any questions arise, as well as be able to offer assistance with making travel and accommodation arrangements for you and your guests.

As getting married abroad has become more and more popular, so too have the number of options available to you. Now, it’s not uncommon to book a complete wedding package through a tour operator. Though this option might not offer complete flexibility in terms of what you get, it does mean that every aspect will be covered and you’ll know from the outset what the wedding is going to cost you, making it the perfect option for anyone with a limited budget.

When using a planner or booking a wedding through a tour operator, be sure to research them thoroughly first. Reputable companies will be happy to share reviews and testimonials and there may even be a chance to speak with others that have previously used their services. The key is to gather as much information as you can before committing, leaving no room for regrets!

Getting Married Abroad With a Wedding Package

Using a wedding package to get married abroad is designed to make the whole process easy and stress free (they can offer excellent value for money, too).

As getting married abroad started to become more common, overseas wedding packages were mainly offered by larger tour operators who would have a specialist division dedicated to organising destination weddings. While this is still very much the case today, many independent companies who are solely focused on planning weddings have also made their presence known, giving you more options and ultimately more flexibility when it comes to getting exactly what you want at a good price.

Unlike wedding planners, who will consult with you throughout the whole planning process and on the day itself, if you choose to book your wedding through a travel company you will usually have two different points of contact. The first will be a booking agent at home who will help you choose the location and type of package that suits you. The second point of contact will be a wedding coordinator at the location of your wedding. Generally, you’re unlikely to have any contact with the wedding coordinator until you get to your wedding destination a few days before the ceremony.

Most wedding packages have a set formula and only offer small variations for personalisation. However, due to the amount of weddings organised this way each year, you should be guaranteed to receive a professional service and a tried-and-tested package.

If you book a wedding package abroad, your wedding ceremony and reception will usually take place in the same hotel or resort. Most travel companies have affiliations with a variety of hotels in each area and you can choose the package that best suits your requirements.

Hiring a Wedding Planner for an Overseas Wedding

If you’d prefer things to be a little more personal than a wedding package would allow, then hiring a wedding planner for your destination wedding may offer what you’re looking for.

While the idea of using a wedding planner might sound expensive, it could actually help you save money when compared to organising the wedding yourself. Lots of wedding planners have connections with suppliers, so they’re often able to get you a better deal than you would get yourself.

The other upshot to using a wedding planner is that they’re usually individuals or small companies who specialise in weddings in a specific country or region within a country. This gives them the advantage of knowing a particular area very well.

A wedding planner will also take the time to personally get to know you and your partner and what it is that you require. Due to that they’ll be able to make recommendations and organise your wedding according to your wishes. With this in mind, you’ll be able to have as much or as little involvement as you would like in the wedding planning.

Often, wedding planners will also offer additional services such as organising extra activities. If you’d like to do some sight-seeing trips of the local area for example, they may be able to organise this too.

There are however some things you’ll need to consider when using a wedding planner for a destination wedding. Many will charge a flat fee for their services, which is usually determined by the number of guests you plan to have. The advantage of a flat fee is that you know the wedding planner’s costs upfront. This means that any discounts or savings they’re able to secure on your behalf you will be passed directly onto you.

Other wedding planners will charge a percentage of the total cost of your wedding. Which, depending on how much you’re planning to spend, could work out to be a fairly hefty fee. This is definitely something you’ll need to account for when budgeting.

It’s also worth bearing in mind that most wedding planners will also charge travel and accommodation costs if they need to visit your chosen destination for whatever reason.

DIY Wedding Abroad

It can be a daunting thought, especially as it can feel like you’re going into it blind, but if a wedding package just doesn’t cut it for you and a wedding planner isn’t really an option, then organising a wedding abroad yourself is where it’s at. The beautiful thing about going it alone means that you have complete autonomy; every detail is down to you. While this might sound like a nightmare for some, for a few it’s a dream come true.

Not only will you have a load of fun organising your wedding abroad and have an immense feeling of satisfaction once the day arrives, you may also save money on the costs of using a wedding planner or tour operator, too.

If you are prepared to put in the time and effort and do your research thoroughly, you will certainly be well rewarded. Your guests will wonder how you managed to organise such a spectacular wedding so far from home!

There are however a few extra considerations you’ll need to make when planning a wedding abroad yourself. Here is a list of things to be aware of before you start:

●     Planning a wedding abroad (or at home) is time consuming and can become stressful.

●     If you don’t speak the local language, the language barrier may become an issue when trying to deal with local suppliers, and certain requirements may get lost in translation.

●     The business practices and social culture of the country may differ from those in the UK.

●     The paperwork and legalities for getting married abroad need to be taken care of by you. It’s important that you get this right the first time so as not to cause any issues when the big day arrives.

Tips for Getting Married Abroad

So, you’ve decided that getting married abroad is definitely what you want to do. You’ve chosen how you’re going to do it, so now the fun can begin. While the wheels have been set in motion, it’s always good practice to be fully prepared.

Below are a list of useful tips that will help you rationalise the situation and get the best of out of planning a destination wedding:

Choosing Your Dream Location

Fully research the location you’ve chosen for your wedding. Check out what the weather will be like at your preferred time of year, what accommodation is on offer, what the local culture is like, and what the legalities are for getting married there.

Do all of this before committing to anything.

Costs

Not only should you consider how much the wedding and travel will cost for you, but you need to think about what your guests will be forced to fork out.

While your guest list is likely to be much smaller than if you were to have a wedding at home, exuberant travel and accommodation costs may prevent certain guests from attending.

Logistics

Accessibility will play a major role in how easy it is to organise the wedding and the ensuing cost of transporting things. It can also have an impact on the number of guests that are able to attend, as well as how easy it is to have just what it is you want in terms of things such as catering and venue hire.

Preparation Time

Plan, plan and plan again! Being fully prepared in good time is the key to success with a wedding abroad. Failure to fully prepare early could leave you open to errors, with little time to fix them. Early preparation will also mean your guests can prepare early too, so they’re less likely to drop out.

Planning a wedding abroad can be crazy good fun, but remembering every minor detail can get overwhelming. So, if you decide to pass the reins to a wedding planner, you’ve found a wedding package that suits you perfectly, or taking complete control is more your scene, enjoy the experience and may all your wedding day dreams come true!