Let’s break down how to plan it without losing your mind, your relationship or the romance:

1. Lead with Vision, not Logistics

Before you dive into venue scouting or start that 17-tab Pinterest board, pause! Ask yourselves the following phrases:

“WHAT DO WE WANT THIS TO FEEL LIKE?”

Forget the pressure of what a wedding should be. Maybe your dream is barefoot on a Mallorca cliffside or wine-soaked vows under Tuscan olive trees. Whether it’s 20 or 120 guests, it’s the vibe that matters most – intimate, soulful, slow, aesthetic, real. Let that guide every decision. Logistics can wait.

2. Pick a Place That Speaks to You

Sure, the Amalfi Coast is stunning, but don’t pick a spot just because it’s trending on Instagram. Choose a location that feels right in your bones, whether that’s tied to your roots, a special trip with your fiance or just somewhere that feels like you & brings the right vibe with it. Your Wedding venue always plays a significant role in shaping your entire day. It’s about setting the stage for every moment, every Detail and how everything flows together.

Ask yourselves:

• What season fits our vision?
• Can the people who matter most realistically travel?
• Are there solid vendors nearby?

A meaningful, slightly off-the-beaten-path spot often beats a “bucket list” location with no personal tie. A wedding location is not just an location – it’s the heart of your entire celebration!

3. Bring in a Local Wedding Planner Pro (or someone experienced for Destination Weddings)

This might be the single best decision you make. A wedding planner who’s based in your chosen destination (or is familiar with planning destination weddings) will know the lay of the land. From trusted vendords to cultural nuances and can handle issues before you even know they exist.

PRO TIP: Find someone who oversees both planning and production. You want a conductor, not only a coordinator.

4. Trim the Guest List (Gently, Early)

Destination weddings naturally lend themselves to smaller, more intimate gatherings. Embrace it. There’s something incredibly freeing about choosing presence over people-pleasing.

It’s not about leaving folks out. It’s about creating space for deeper connection and fewer logistics.

5. Think Beyond “THE DAY”

This isn’t a one-day-affair. It’s a full experience.

Start your wedding weekend with a welcome gathering (maybe a bonfire, wine tasting, pizza party or a chill sail boat ride), let the wedding be the highlight and soak up all the in-between magic and moments. What guest remeber most? The insane feeling of the whole weekend and their experience with you!

6. Get Clear on the Legal Stuff

OK, not glamorous but vital and really important! Every country has its own rules. Some require a waiting period, others need translated documents and a few make the paperwork a full-on labyrinth where you can get lost really quick.

That’s why so many couples do the legal part at home and host a symbolic ceremony abroad. Just a special, way less stress.

7. Take a Site Visit if you can – but you can still crush it remotely

A site visit is amazing if you can swing it. See your potential wedding venue in person is in my opinion a game changer. The better you can visualize your wedding and the different parts of it, the better you can feel the vibe of the location and if the venue fit’s your vision of your day. But if not? NO WORRIES!

Embrace tech: Zoom, 3D Venue tours, Video Calls with your potential Vendors. A great team will make you feel like you’re walking the space even if you’re thousands of miles away. If it’s a love at first sight with your vendors – book them!

8. Fewer Vendors, Better Vibes

You don’t need a full production crew, but you need a tight, reliable team who knows how the enhance your wedding to the highest level!.

Focus on quality over quantity and of course follow your heart:

• A wedding planner (Local or experienced with destination weddings)
• a photographer who get’s you and your vibe of the wedding day or wedding-weekend (would love to be considered)
• Florist who can envision your dream within your budget
• Caterer who brings you into the culture and traditional food of the country.
• Music or DJ to party on the dancefloor!

Less people to coordinate = more time to enjoy!

9. Make it Easy for Guests to Join the Celebration with you!

Always remember: this is a getaway for them too. Help make it seamless for them.

• Set up a wedding website with everything from travel tips to dress code notes
• Send invites way earlier than normal (think 9-12 monts out) and send a “SAVE-THE-DATE” as well
• Make them feel part of something special not just another RSVP

10. Don’t over-Schedule

Please resist the urge to fill every minute. This isn’t a work retreat. It’s more a relaxed hideaway with your loved ones!

Leave room to breathe. Let guests nap, wander, explore & enjoy. Some of the best moments happen in the unplanned pockets. Coffee on the terrace, spontaneous swims, late night chats.

Here you can find a timeline-example for your destination wedding:

11. Actually Enjoy It

Here’s the truth: something will go off-script. It always does, on every wedding, but that doesn’t mean it’s ruined.

• Give yourself permission to loosen the reins
• Sneak in alone time with your person
• Go phone-free when it counts
• Lean on your team so you don’t have to micromanage
• Chase connection, not perfection!

Presence? That’s the REAL LUXURY.

Big Picture

The most beautiful destination weddings I’ve captured weren’t the ones with the fanciest centerpieces. They were the ones where the couple was relaxed, grounded and fully themselves.

You deserve that kind of magic and it’s absolutely within reach.