Planning a Destination Wedding
Planning a Destination Wedding
When you have a destination wedding far from home it typically means you're in for a much more intimate and personal ceremony. And, as a bonus you can enjoy a two-for-one wedding and honeymoon. But planning a destination wedding isn’t always easy. Before jumping on a plane to a foreign country to marry your love, there are some important details to consider. Whether you’ve decided on a tropical celebration in Costa Rica, an island excursion in Hawaii, or a romantic getaway in Ireland, we’re here to help get you started.
Here is a partial list of some of our favorite wedding destinations:
· Costa Rica
· Cancun, Mexico
· Positano, Amalfi, Italy
· Cliffs of Moher, Ireland
· Rochester, New York
· Cape Cod, Mass
· La Jolla, California
· Prince Frederick, MD
· San Francisco, CA
· Maui, Hawaii
· Salt Flats, UT
· Cannon Beach, OR
· Las Vegas, Nevada
· San Diego, California
· Huntington Beach, CA
· Victoria Beach, CA
· Long Beach, CA
· Wailea, Hawaii
· Palmyra, New York
· Green Sand Beach, Hawaii
· Laie, Oahu, Hawaii
· Zion Canyon National Park, UT
· Boise, Idaho :)
· Rock Springs, WY :)
· Washington, DC
· Moab, UT
· Canandagua, NY
· Laguna Beach, CA
· Washington, DC
· San Antonio, TX
· Riviera Maya, Mexico
· Kona, Big Island, Hawaii
· Escalante National Park, UT
Obviously, this is only a partial list.
Please ask if your curious about a location that you don’t see in this list.
5 tips for how to Choose a Location for your Destination Wedding
With so many incredible options at your fingertips, where on earth should you have your wedding?
You can't really call it a "destination" wedding without a far-away location, right? But with so many options available, how are you ever supposed to settle on the perfect place to say your "I do’s"? Whether you're dreaming of Cancun beaches, Italian coasts, Costa Rica sunsets, Ireland views, or even tropical Hawaiian paradises, there are specific things you'll want to consider before making your decision.
s in some of the world's most exotic locations.
expert tips on finding a destination wedding spot that's just right for you!
Get in touch with a travel agent.
Perhaps the best (and simplest) tip for finding the perfect destination wedding destination? Don't do it alone! A respectable travel agency can make your search nearly stress free. Travel agents do this all the time. They can match you up with a wedding location that fits your vision and they're often able to negotiate with resorts or other venues to get you the best rates—and other perks! They also take care details like taking care of your guests' travel arrangements. And, the best part… they are commissioned from the airlines and hotels, so hiring a travel agent means there's no additional expense for you to use them!
Sarah and Randall looked incredible during their destination wedding session in Costa Rica. (This was moments before they both ran into the ocean and rolled around in the surf - we captured that, too.)
2. Figure your budget.
Before doing too much planning, you'll want to set your budget and general guest count. This will help narrow down destination and resort options right from the beginning. You don’t want your wedding to “break the bank” so consider the budget before getting your heart set on a specific location.
When it comes to who’s footing the bill for a destination wedding, there’s a few things to keep in mind. Generally, it is understood that your guests would be responsible for their own travel just as they were taking a vacation. But it’s definitely helpful and thoughtful to set up a room block with a group rates at your resort or somewhere nearby so everyone can be in one place and cut costs. If it’s in your budget to help with rooms and travel expenses, even better, but it’s not an obligation. Just make sure you’re upfront with your guests about what they’ll be responsible for before they accept your invitation. Same goes for your bridal party. While you’re there, it’s common to plan at least one group activity for the guests to be able to mingle with each other and feel comfortable settling in. Give your guests a chance to experience the destination and why you fell in love with it, and definitely factor it into your overall wedding budget.
Getting married on the edge of Cliffs of Moher, on the coast of Ireland is one of the most awesome experiences imaginable.
3. Choose a destination that's a good fit for YOU.
Your wedding should reflect the personalities of both and your fiancé. Are you guys super laid-back or do you party all night? Are you food connoisseurs? Adrenaline addicts? Snow bunnies or beach bums? Find a location that lets you be exactly who you want to be! Consider your style before picking a destination.
If you're looking for a relaxed experience, a resort that offers beachside pools, sunset views, and spa services will probably be a great fit for you. However, if you want an adventurous wedding weekend filled with excursions, pick a resort that features things like excursion options, park admissions, and snorkeling with dolphins! Your wedding should be unique, all the way down to the small details."
Create a list of "must-haves" . This will help focus on the experience you're looking for. Here are some examples of things you might put on your list:
wedding package that includes cost of everything
Ceremony on the sandy beach
Outdoor dinner and dancing under the stars
Honeymoon suite with a patio and private ocean view
Ease of getting to your destination venue
Be sure to give your guests plenty of notice that you’ll be having a destination wedding so they have time to save up, take time off work, and book travel and accommodations. We recommend sending out save the dates at least 8 months in advance. Keep in mind that by having a destination wedding, you run the risk of friends and family not being able to attend, but by giving them plenty of time to plan you maximize your chances of having your closest friends and family being by your side to celebrate. Tell your bridal party your plans before you ask them to join in so they can make the decision of whether they can afford to travel before accepting.
There is no doubt that Riviera Maya and Cancun offer some of the most picturesque backdrops for weddings in the world.
4. Choose whether you prefer an adults-only or family friendly wedding.
One question often asked when it comes to planning a destination wedding is "Should we invite kids?" The answer could affect your options for venues. Even if just one or two children attend, you’ll need to look at destination venues that welcome children.
Each of the Hawaiian Islands are a wonderful choice for a destination wedding. We did these images immediately following their “I do’s” on the beach in Maui.
5. Check on the weather for your destination and date.
Are you considering a dream location prone to potential weather nightmares at certain times of the year? Remember that different parts of the world, and even different parts of the country, can have vastly different weather from your home base, so it’s important to do some research on the best times of year for tourism. This will give you a great baseline to ensure you’re going to be enjoying beautiful weather on your big day, or at the very least know what to expect when you arrive. If the place you’re going to happens to be hot, cold, rainy, or snowy when you plan to visit, make sure to plan you and your bridal party’s outfits accordingly, and prep your guests so they know what to pack. Checking the forecast for your destination is important if you want your wedding to be perfect (especially when scheduling air travel and outdoor events). Many venues and resorts will offer discounts when you book off-season dates, but the savings may not be worth the risk of delayed flights or inclement weather on your big day. Also remember, no matter what the weather is expected to do it's always a good idea to work out a “plan B” in advance—just in case!
Bonus tip - consider visiting your destination before locking it in.
If you can, visit your destination ahead of time! And, here’s a little known secret… many resorts offer free or low-cost pre-wedding visit to see the resort and review all the wedding options.
But even if you can’t visit early, you can still plan your entire destination wedding with the help of your travel agent, wedding coordinator, online searches, Zoom meetings, and a little imagination.
MJ Morgan and My Style Photography has photographed weddings all over the globe! We can answer all your destination wedding questions.
The biggest piece of advice we can give you when it comes to planning your destination wedding is to not be afraid to ask for help. You can dream big when it comes to planning your wedding abroad, and when it comes to executing your ideas, trust the experts you’ve hired and those versed in local business and traditions. They can be a goldmine when it comes to making your ideas come to life, so be clear and concise when it comes to your vision, but remember to let loose on the reins and accept others’ help. We are so excited for you to dive deep into planning your wedding, now take these tips and go get started!
DREAM LOCATIONS ON OUR LIST
We spend much of our free time dreaming up new places to explore and doing research about hidden treasures. Here are some places we haven’t been, but plan to visit in the future. Maybe one of these will be inspiring to you too!
+ Saint Martin
+ New Zealand
+ Thailand
+ Jamaica and Cayman Islands, Caribbean
+ Fiji
+ Tahiti
+ Dolomites, Italy
Let’s plan a trip together :)
Destination Wedding FAQ's
Where are you willing to travel?
We have photographed weddings all over the United States, as well as Mexico, Costa Rica, Ireland and in Europe. We are willing to travel just about anywhere for weddings.
Do we book your flights?
Nope! When you book us for destination weddings, we will handle all of our travel arrangements to get to and from your destination. We will have you book a room for us under your room block but we will handle all of our other expenses to get to your destination.
How long will you usually stay?
We try to arrive 2 days prior to your wedding, and leave 2 days after, that will give us 1 day to scout locations, photograph your rehearsal if needed, as well as a creative session the day after. This is an amazing event in your life, so we want to make sure that we capture all of it.
How much does destination wedding photography cost?
All destination weddings are different, so we will ask you a few more questions to understand the needs of your wedding and provide you with a custom quote, and give you a breakdown of the cost during your consultation.
Can we do a local engagement session where we live?
Heck yes! We can come to you to do your engagement session or we can do it at another place. If you are able to meet us wherever we are traveling for other work, then there would be no additional travel fees to shoot your session there as well!