Finding the perfect destination wedding venue can sometimes feel a little overwhelming. At Le Ciel we totally understand what a big decision it is choosing the setting for your big day abroad. As one of Santorini’s very best wedding venues, we’ve been lucky enough to host countless destination weddings, from intimate gatherings to huge celebrations. Whether you’ve fallen in love with the view (nothing can beat the views of Santorini’s Caldera from Le Ciel’s breath-taking terrace), the fail-safe weather or the friendly team, before you book your wedding venue it’s important to get all the facts. These are the 10 questions to ask your destination wedding venue before you make that decision…
1. Can I legally marry at your venue?
For many destination wedding venues it’s simply not possible to legally marry there if you’re from another country, for others, the complex – and seemingly endless – red tape to be able to legally say ‘I do’ feels far more hassle than it’s worth. So, for this reason, many couples decide to have the legal ceremony at home before jetting off to their destination venue to properly celebrate their marriage. However, if you have your heart set on formally getting married at your destination wedding venue make sure you ask them before booking.
2. Do I have to use your recommended suppliers?
Maybe you have your heart set on a specific photographer or perhaps you’d much rather stick with suppliers and vendors your destination wedding venue recommends. Either way, it’s important to find out exactly where your venue stands when it comes to recommended suppliers. Just remember, when planning a destination wedding it’s always reassuring to go with suppliers who know the venue and the local area well.
3. Do you offer a wedding planning service?
This is one of the most important questions to ask your destination wedding venue. Trying to arrange a wedding from another country can be very stressful, especially when you can’t easily chat face to face with suppliers. An experienced wedding planner or coordinator makes the whole process run smoothly, while also helping to secure the best deals for you. If you’re planning a destination wedding in Santorini, Le Ciel can help coordinate all aspects of your big day, meaning you can relax knowing your wedding is in safe hands.
4. Is the venue suitable for the whole day?
Can your destination wedding venue look after everything from your ceremony to the reception, or will you have to move between locations to cover different parts of your day? If you like the idea of splitting up your wedding day this way that’s no problem, but if you prefer to have everything in one place make sure you look for a venue that does it all. For example, Le Ciel can host your ceremony, cocktail reception, dinner reception and evening party – so you and your guests can make the most of our gorgeous Santorini location without worrying about moving around.
5. Do you offer accommodation?
Check whether your venue is able to provide on-site rooms or can help in arranging nearby accommodation for guests. Trying to organise accommodation for your friends and family as well as al the logistics of a destination wedding can feel like a massive job, so see if your venue can help out in some way to lighten the load.
6. Are children allowed at your venue?
Some all-inclusive resorts have a strict adults-only policy, so if having children or babies at your wedding is important to you make sure you have all the facts before you book your venue. If you’re searching for a family-friendly Santorini destination wedding venue, Le Ciel loves welcoming babies and little wedding guests.
7. How far in advance can I reserve my wedding date?
The key to stress-free destination wedding planning is to book the venue as far ahead as possible, to give your guests plenty of opportunity to book time off work, arrange flights and generally get excited! Check with your venue how far in advance you can secure your wedding date – remember, the earlier the better.
8. Are there any local events happening on my chosen wedding date?
Perhaps not one of the most obvious questions to ask your destination wedding venue, but it’s an important one. If you’re planning on getting married in a rural or secluded location, check with your venue whether there are any local events happening on your chosen day. This could impact how easy it is to hire your preferred suppliers or book transport like taxis.
9. What is the weather typically like around my preferred date?
While many couples opt for a destination wedding for the sunshine, it’s not always a given. It’s crucial you ask your wedding venue what kind of weather you can usually expect around your chosen date, so you can avoid any typical hurricane or stormy seasons. Thankfully, at Le Ciel our couples are lucky enough to enjoy the amazing Santorini weather during our open wedding season, May to October.
10. What kind of activities are available nearby?
If your guests are traveling a good distance to celebrate your wedding, you want to make the most of the time together. Ask your destination wedding venue what kind of fun group activities are available close by. Things like boat trips, vineyard tours or trips to local landmarks are all great ways to get together. There is so much to see and do at Santorini and the friendly team at Le Ciel are more than happy to share their local knowledge with you.
Your destination wedding in Santorini
Now you know the important questions to ask your destination wedding venue, it’s time to get started. Le Ciel is Santorini’s most beautiful wedding venue, with unmatched views of the Caldera cliffs and crystal-clear Aegean Sea. It’s a magical and luxurious setting for your Santorini wedding and we’d love the opportunity to tell you more about it. Just click here to get in touch with any questions you might have and one of the team will get back to you straight away.