Are you daydreaming about running off into the sunset with your favorite person? Saying “I do” somewhere sweeping and romantic? Learning how to plan a destination wedding often starts with that feeling. A pull toward a place that feels meaningful, inspiring, or just very you. Destination celebrations are special because they are intimate by nature. They remove the expectations and bring the focus back to the connections. As a wedding photographer, this invites so much creativity and magic for me to document.
Why Destination Weddings Feel Different:
These events tend to be smaller. That is not a downside, rather it is part of the magic. With fewer guests, you spend real time with the people who show up for you. Conversations are slower. You really get to sink into the moments of your day. Your celebration becomes less of a production and more of a shared experience.
Guests are not just attending a wedding. They are making a trip out of it. They explore, relax, and celebrate alongside you. It creates a sense of togetherness that is hard to replicate at home.
So let’s talk about how to plan a destination wedding…
Choose a Location That Feels Like You:
Trends come and go, but the memories & photos from your big day will last forever. When deciding where to go, choose a location that reflects who you are, not what is popular online. Mountains, coastlines, historic cities, or quiet countryside… they all tell different stories. Where do you feel a pull?
One of the best pieces of advice I give my couples is: think about how the place makes you feel. That emotional connection matters more than a pin on Pinterest. I pinky promise!
Weather and season play a big role here too. Research the climate carefully, because every location is different!
Legal Details to Consider:
Every country has different marriage requirements. Some are really simple, while others require paperwork, waiting periods, or residency. This is an important part of how to plan a destination wedding, and it is worth researching early.
How Photography Fits Into the Experience:
When you’re traveling (sometimes across the world!) for your big day, you have to work with a lot of flexibility. I always leave a day or two extra for traveling, just in case. And we build in unhurried timelines for your day. So we can be as creative and present as we want. I’ve found that slower days allow space for those real moments to unfold.
If you want to curate a full experience for you & your guests, think beyond the ceremony. Welcome dinners, adventure sessions, and farewell brunches all add depth to your story. Plus they’re a fun way to really enjoy the culture of the country you are visiting with your loved ones.
If you are wondering how to plan a destination wedding, start with intention.
Choose a place that feels like a grand adventure. Something that matches the grandiosity of how you feel about your partner. Or maybe it’s just a place that has special meaning, like where a relative lives. Or where you used to live.
Regardless of where you chose to get married, at the end of the day, this is a day about you & your partner. There is no right or wrong way to do it.
Do you want to hear my bucket list as a photographer?
Some of my dream locations include:
- Iceland
- Italy
- Greece
- Banff
- Glacier National Park
- Hawaii
- Ireland
- Scotland
- Costa Rica.
Iceland is especially close to my heart, and I will be there this March. (!!) I can’t wait!
What do you think? Would you plan to run away across the world and get married? If so, I’ll be there in a heartbeat to support you every step of the way! Just reach out here!
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