How to Plan a Wedding Abroad

A wedding on a beach, a wedding on a cliff top, maybe a wedding in a quaint village on the outskirts of an Italian town, possibly a wedding in Vegas!

The idea of having a wedding abroad is not so far fetched as it may have been in the past. Reports show us that 25% of weddings are now carried out abroad and approximately 350,000 are performed each year. Brexit has slowed the desire for UK residents a little with 30% of partners now saying that it has raised doubts about whether they want to go away for their wedding.

Vegas, an option we mentioned earlier, is currently the most popular destination abroad for weddings with an estimated 80,000 taking place there every year!

So should you be looking at the idea of getting married in front of white sands and blue waters, or as near to the roulette table as possible, read on to find out what you need to know before you go sending the invites out!

Choose your location

You may have dreams of certain places that appear stunning on the eye, within budget and promise pleasant weather. This is all great on paper but there could be several issues behind the scenes you need to tackle first. Consider the visa options, is it legal for tourists to get married there? Does the area have enough accommodation options for your guests?

In addition, there could be issues, especially in these days of covid restrictions being switched on and off, where access to the country is under certain rulings. There could be political issues and unfortunately some of these can affect whether your guests feel comfortable. Especially if those issues are based on race, gender or sexuality.

Do your research and find somewhere that works for all and the first tick on your checklist can be marked!

Inform your guests with enough notice

This is a vital part of your wedding plan yet is also one of the most common to go wrong. Once you have your date, send the save the date notices to everyone you want to invite, allowing anything form 8-12 months’ notice. Then send the actual invite when there is around 3-4 months before the big day. This allows them to make necessary arrangements and also helps you with the planning.

Decide whether guests are paying for their accommodation

Normally, guests will pay for their stay, however, if it is not made clear, you may have some thinking they have a free holiday! Mention it in communications with the invited guests that room bookings are their responsibility, if you have set up a wedding website, this is a great tool for this message.

Do you need a wedding planner?

Quite often, a wedding abroad works best with a wedding planner, with someone being in a “boots on the ground” type role, they can consult with the venue and its people easier than you can. With a potential time difference of several hours, this can be very beneficial! Often, when booking a wedding through a travel company itself, you can have a wedding package that will then have a planner assigned to it. This can relieve a great burden. You can research local ones yourself if you prefer, this may give your wedding more of a personal touch rather than a package deal style.

You can do it all yourself which is a great way to give the wedding your full personalization, just be aware of all it entails before committing!

Pick the right time of year

So many destinations are seasonal in popularity and as a result, have prices that reflect this. With that in mind look at what your needs are. A beach wedding in the snow wouldn’t be much fun for example!

That being said, most people look for a wedding in the summer months when the skies are clear and the temperatures high. Aim to book just outside of the peak period and you’ll make it more affordable for you and your guests. You may also benefit from the fact that due to the location being a little quieter, the options for upgrades, and more access to facilities will increase.

Factor in jet lag and flight times

One of the last things you want is for your guests to be struggling to keep their eyes open as you exchange vows. Even worse would be for the bride or groom to get on a delayed flight and miss their own wedding!

Look at flight times and dates, giving yourself at least 48 hours at the destination before the wedding. This allows you to wrap up any loose ends, absorb any delays (hopefully!) and recover if you are jet lagged.

Have all your paperwork prepared

Whether it is passports of visas, medical certificate or certificates of no impediment, forgetting any of these could either stop your entry into the country or stop the wedding from taking place. e wedding from taking place. If you have a wedding planner, find out from them what the requirements are for the country you are visiting. If you are doing it by yourself, check with the government website for further information.

Get wedding insurance

A wedding is an expensive outlay and getting a wedding travel insurance policy that covers such things as the dress, rings or gifts is vital. Look for a package that covers your needs. This can be further extended to anything else you may be using. If for example, you hire a car, or your guests chose to, then you will need to have insurance there too. Companies like Direct Car Hire Excess provide comprehensive worldwide insurance car hire excess policies meaning there is one less hitch to worry about during the wedding.

No matter where you are going, your wedding will no doubt be something special. Ensure the stress remains minimal by getting covered against car hire excess fees. Our plans cover you from all eventualities meaning you can walk down the aisle worry free. Contact us today and get a free quote!