If you’re considering a destination wedding in Santorini, or beyond, you’re not alone. With 1 in 4 couples in the UK and the USA now opting to have their wedding abroad, it’s a popular choice for brides and grooms who want something a little different. Destination weddings offer a real sense of excitement and occasion. Getting friends and family together for one giant party, wedding and holiday is guaranteed to make memories that will last forever. Of course, as with any wedding there are some things you need to consider to ensure the planning – and the day itself – runs smoothly. Planning a wedding abroad needs a slightly different approach to one at home. But the team at Le Ciel has seen it all and done it all before, so can be on hand to guide you through every little detail. Here are the dos and don’ts of planning a destination wedding.
DO
Give plenty of notice
If you’re planning a wedding at home, you’d usually send your Save the Dates out 6-9 months in advance, then follow up with the invitations around 8 weeks before your big day. However, for a destination wedding you really need to give guests as much notice as possible, so they can arrange flights, accommodation and book any time off work. Aim to send Save the Dates for a destination wedding out 9-12 months in advance. For invites, give a minimum of 12 weeks before the wedding.
Use a wedding planner
Wedding planners are worth their weight in gold when planning a destination wedding. Hiring someone who has lots of experience arranging weddings in a specific country or locality will make life so much easier for you. They can help with any red tape, recommend and liaise with the very best suppliers, and can be there on the day to make sure everything goes to plan. At Le Ciel we’ve worked with some of the best planners to help our couples arrange their Santorini wedding. If you need any advice do let us know.
Look at the legal side
The legal requirements for any wedding abroad vary from country to country. Before you book a venue, you need to do your research. It’s one of the most important dos and don’ts of planning a destination wedding. Contact the local authorities where you want to get married to find out what you’ll need to do. Marrying abroad always involves extra paperwork, which is why we advise you start this process as early as possible. Again, if you’re planning a Santorini wedding, our local wedding planners can guide you through.
Consider the weather
Most couples choose a destination wedding because they love the idea of getting married somewhere sunny. It’s certainly one of the big pulls for a Santorini wedding at Le Ciel. If this is the case, you will need to think about what kind of effect the weather will have on your day – for example, what to wear. Thick layers of heavy tulle or a 3-piece tweed suit may not be so appealing under the Santorini sunshine! Also consider fans and sunshades/parasols for guests if you’re marrying outside.
Make it easy for your guests
If you’re asking friends and family to travel abroad for your wedding, you want to make it as easy as possible for them to get there and once they arrive. A wedding website, with a thorough schedule, details of accommodation and anything else you think might be helpful is a fantastic idea for a destination wedding. When it comes to accommodation, you’re not typically expected to cover the cost of this for your guests but do try and make it as straightforward as possible for them to find somewhere to book – whether that’s choosing a location with lots of accommodation choices or block booking a hotel/apartments for guests to use. It’s also helpful to lay on transport to and from your wedding venue, if it’s not in walking distance.
Work with local vendors
You may have your heart set on a supplier close to home, but realistically working with vendors local to your wedding venue makes a lot more sense. They know what works in the climate, what’s seasonal and can get you a great price. Your wedding planner will be able to help you source the very best in the area.
Plan something extra
A destination wedding is so much more than one day. With people travelling from all over to celebrate your wedding, make sure you plan in extra activities for your guests so you can make the most of the time you have together. Welcome dinners, a ‘day after the wedding’ boat trip or a farewell BBQ are all great ideas.
DON’T
Try and do it all
Even the most passionate bride- or groomzilla has to take a step back when it comes to planning a destination wedding. It’s just not possible to do it all yourself when you don’t live nearby, so invest in a wedding planner and really utilise their services. Of course you can be involved every step of the way, but when it comes to the dos and don’ts of planning a destination wedding, passing over some of the workload to a local professional is a big one.
Bust your budget just because it’s overseas
Don’t be tempted to spend more than you can afford. It’s easy to get wrapped up in the excitement of planning a wedding aboard or to lose a grip on the finances because you’re not physically there to book things. But it’s important – just like it is when planning a wedding at home – to set a budget and stick to it. Make sure your venue and planner know exactly what your budget is for certain things. This way, they can help you find solutions within your range.
Spread things out too much
However well-meaning, don’t book activities for your guests that mean they will spend most of their holiday travelling to and from different destinations. Try and keep everything – that’s the ceremony, reception, and any dinners or activities – as close to the guest accommodation as you can. Your guests will thank you for it.
Book before you see
It may not be physically or financially possible for you to visit your destination wedding venue before you book. However, if you can we’d always recommend viewing it in person if at all possible. If you have your heart set on a particular venue then make sure to ask for a virtual viewing instead. This way you can get a feel for the lay out and overall vibe before you pay that deposit. We are always happy to arrange either for you at Le Ciel Santorini.
Forget wedding insurance
This is a big one! Whatever you do, make sure you get that wedding insurance in place. It’s essential for a wedding at home and even more crucial if you’re marrying aboard. Most providers have a different level of insurance available for destination weddings, so do some research online and contact companies for quotes before you get too far down the line with your planning.
Your destination wedding in Santorini
Now you know the important dos and don’ts of planning a destination wedding, it’s time to get started. Le Ciel is Santorini’s most beautiful wedding venue, with unmatched views of the Caldera cliffs and sparkling Aegean Sea. It’s a truly magical 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.