How do we organise a wedding abroad?
A simple but essential question! If you’re dreaming of a wedding abroad, the next step is to figure out how to organise it.
Image: Loryle Photography | Wedding by Casa Collina Events
Your Wedding abroad Planning Starts Here
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer—how you go about planning depends on the kind of wedding experience you want and how involved you’d like to be in the details. Whether you’re after a fully coordinated celebration with minimal effort, a personalised day crafted with expert help, or you’re excited to take control and plan everything yourself, there’s an approach that will suit you.
What follows is an overview of your options, but to truly get a sense of what works best for you, make sure to dive into the details at the end of the page.
1. Choose a Wedding Package Through a Tour Operator
A popular and straightforward option, choosing a package through a tour operator simplifies the process by bundling the key elements of your wedding abroad into one coordinated plan.
What’s Typically Included
- The ceremony and legal arrangements.
- Reception venues and catering.
- Accommodation for you and your guests.
- On-site coordination and support.
Is it the right fit for you?
If you’re looking for a simple, all-inclusive solution, this is a great choice.
2. Hire a Destination Wedding Planner
For couples wanting a more tailored and flexible experience, working with a destination wedding planner offers expert support while still allowing you to shape the day to your vision.
What a Planner Can Do
- Finding a venue and reliable suppliers.
- Coordinating all the logistics with local vendors.
- Managing your timeline and budget.
- Helping with legal matters.
Why Choose a Planner
This gives you expert guidance while still allowing for flexibility in your planning.
3. Plan It Yourself
If you’re hands-on and love the idea of creating your day from the ground up, planning it yourself gives you full control over every detail of your destination wedding.
What you'll need to manage
- Researching and booking your own vendors and venue.
- Handling legal paperwork.
- Coordinating everything with suppliers directly.
Things to keep in mind
This approach gives you complete control but requires more time and effort.
Things to Consider
Before you decide which approach to take, think about what’s most important to you. Ask yourself:
- Do you want a hands-off, all-inclusive experience?
- Are you excited to dive into the details and manage things yourself?
- How much time do you want to dedicate to the planning process?
- Would you feel more comfortable with professional guidance?
These questions will help you figure out which approach is right for your wedding abroad.
Mixing and Matching Options
You don’t have to stick to just one option. Many couples combine different approaches to suit their needs. For example, you could:
- Use the tour operator’s package for the core wedding elements, but plan your own extras, such as a welcome dinner, group excursion, or day-after brunch.
- Plan most of the wedding yourself but hire a planner to assist with legal matters or on the day vendor coordination.
- Opt for an all-inclusive package but bring in independent vendors for personal touches, such as décor or photography.
- Hire a wedding planner specifically to help source trusted local suppliers.
This flexibility can help create the perfect balance between control and support.
Choosing the Right Suppliers
Once you’ve figured out how you want to organise your wedding abroad, selecting the right suppliers is key. To ensure everything goes smoothly:
- Review the suppliers’ past work and reputation.
- Ask questions to make sure they understand your vision.
- Ensure they’re experienced with destination weddings abroad.
Choosing the right team of suppliers will make a huge difference in your wedding day experience.
Top Tip: Use the Easy Supplier Finder
Finding the right wedding suppliers for your wedding abroad can be one of the trickiest parts of planning. To make things easier, try our Easy Supplier Finder. Whether you’re working with a wedding planner, booking through a tour operator, planning it all yourself—or combining all three—this tool is a fast, simple way to connect with trusted destination wedding suppliers around the world.
Which Planning Route Is Right for You?
Click on each step below to dive into more detailed guidance and practical tips. And if you’re feeling unsure or have questions at any point, don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re here to help.
If you are thinking of getting married abroad, using a wedding planner to help you plan your wedding could be one of the best decisions you make!
We believe wedding packages abroad offer excellent value for money and can make the organisation of your wedding easy and stress free.
Planning a wedding abroad yourself is not as complicated as it may first seem. We take a look at the pros and cons of how to successfully organise your own destination wedding.
Finding the right suppliers is critical to the success of your day. Here you will find practical guidelines and advice to help you choose the right suppliers.