Planning A Destination Wedding

For the couples dreaming of saying “I do” somewhere extraordinary.

Ahhhh travel planning… truly one of my favorite hobbies. An expensive hobby? Maybe. A useful hobby? Absolutely. A slight obsession? Also yes.

Naturally, as both a travel bug and 2025 bride, I had to plan my own destination wedding.

Last summer, my husband and I gathered our closest family and friends in Southern Italy for the most special week of our lives. We stayed in a small coastal town, shared long dinners overlooking the sea, and celebrated our marriage in a place that will always be held close to our hearts. (More on our wedding story next week!)

Somewhere between booking flights, researching accommodations, and coordinating logistics across multiple countries, I realized something: Most destination wedding advice online feels overwhelming!

So if you’re considering a destination wedding – whether it’s an intimate elopement or a 100-person celebration abroad – I want to share what I’ve learned and hopefully make the process feel a little less intimidating.

Why a Destination Wedding?

Before diving into logistics, let’s start with the purpose! Ask yourself why you’re drawn to a destination wedding in the first place. 

For us, it wasn’t about having the most extravagant wedding possible. It was about creating an experience and memories to be shared. We wanted our guests to feel like they were on vacation with us – exploring somewhere new, slowing down, and spending meaningful time together.

A destination wedding often feels more intentional because everyone is choosing to be there. The people who make the trip are truly invested in celebrating you.

Step 1: Choose Your Destination

Ask yourselves:

  • What type of experience do we want?
  • Beach, mountains, countryside, city?
  • Domestic or international?
  • Easy to reach or more adventurous?
  • How much travel are we realistically willing to do?

For us, Southern Italy checked every box: hospitable friends living there, incredible food, stunning scenery, rich culture, beautiful weather, and affordable options compared to most wedding venues in the States.

When choosing a destination, think beyond the vacation itself. You are getting married! Ask yourself: “Would I want to spend the most special day of my life here?” If the answer is yes, you’re probably on the right track!

Step 2: Decide What Kind of Wedding You Want

Not every destination wedding needs to be a luxury multi-day production.

Some of my favorite destination weddings have been:

  • Two people eloping on a coastline
  • A family-only ceremony abroad
  • A 20-person villa celebration (ours!)

The beauty of destination weddings is that there are no rules. The goal isn’t to recreate a traditional wedding in a different country. The goal is to create a celebration that feels like you, removed from “the norm.”

Step 3: Build a Realistic Budget

One of the biggest misconceptions about destination weddings is that they’re always more expensive. Sometimes they are, but oftentimes they’re not. The key is understanding where your priorities are. Would you rather have: 200 guests and a local venue or 20 guests and a week in Italy?

When budgeting, remember to include:

  • Flights
  • Accommodations
  • Transportation
  • Venue costs
  • Food and drinks
  • Photography
  • Music
  • Welcome events
  • Wedding attire
  • Travel insurance
  • Unexpected expenses

I highly recommend building a spreadsheet from day one. Future you will be grateful! My favorite platforms for this are Google Doc or Notion.

Step 4: Hire Vendors You Trust

As a wedding photographer, I may be biased here, but your vendor team matters even more when you’re planning from afar.

Whether you hire local vendors or bring a few trusted professionals with you, prioritize people who communicate well, are experienced travelers, and can adapt if things don’t go exactly as planned. It’s also incredibly valuable to work with vendors who know the area well or have experienced similar locations. They won’t be spending your wedding troubleshooting logistics — they’ll be focused on serving you and creating an incredible experience.

Step 5: Think Like a Guest

The primary purpose of your wedding is about celebrating your love and starting your marriage in a way that feels true to you. You’ve likely spent months dreaming about this destination, but your guests haven’t.

While your day isn’t about the guests, inviting them to a destination wedding means inviting them on an adventure. The adventure may be harder for some and easier for others. Extra planning, communication, and consideration can help your guests spend less time stressing about logistics and more time celebrating with you. To minimize travel burdens, make it easy for them.

Provide:

  • Clear travel information and tips
  • Airport recommendations
  • Accommodation options at different price points
  • Suggested activities
  • A simple itinerary

Making the experience as seamless as possible is one of the best ways to thank them for making the journey. The easier you make the experience, the more enjoyable it will be for everyone involved! 

What I Learned After Planning My Own Destination Wedding

If I could go back and tell myself one thing before we started planning, it would be this: Focus less on perfection and more on presence. Years later, what you remember is the laughter around the dinner table, the excursions you shared, the feeling of being somewhere beautiful. That’s what made our Southern Italy wedding so special. That’s what makes destination weddings worth considering in the first place.

If you’re dreaming about planning a destination wedding of your own, I’d love to photograph it! Whether you’re envisioning an intimate celebration abroad or a full wedding weekend with all your favorite people, destination weddings don’t have to be overwhelming. They just need a lot of dreaming, a little planning, and a willingness to embrace the adventure!

Where will your love story take you?

Xx Elizabeth Ann