Dreaming of a wedding on a sun-soaked island or in a romantic Tuscan villa? Before you dive into Pinterest boards and passport stamps, let’s hit pause for just a moment. Planning a destination wedding is a beautiful, bold decision—and it comes with its own unique set of considerations. Michelle discusses some key destination wedding planning tips in a recent video – check it out below and read on for more.
This isn’t a list of do’s and don’ts. It’s a conversation starter, three important topics to discuss with your fiancé as you begin dreaming up your celebration abroad. Trust me, these early conversations can make all the difference in the planning process.
Better yet? Go with your planner (hi, it’s me!). Having your planning partner on-site means you can meet your vendors, taste the food, walk the property, and get a real sense of the guest experience. A site visit brings clarity—and confidence—before the big day.
When we traveled to Puerto Rico with Gena & Fitz (above) to scout their wedding location, they turned the trip into something even more special by taking engagement photos in the place where they would soon say “I do.”
The most important factor when selecting your photographer, videographer, planner, or florist is not where they’re located—it’s their experience. A seasoned professional can execute your vision beautifully, whether they’re five miles or 5,000 miles from the venue.
If someone has the expertise to deliver excellence, they can do it anywhere. Don’t limit yourself based on geography.
While your wedding should absolutely reflect the two of you, the guest experience matters—especially if celebrating with loved ones is a big part of your vision. Make it easy (and enjoyable) for your people to be part of your day.
For our couple Kit & Vinny (pictured above), we embarked on their venue-scouting adventure—what we like to call “the trip before the trip”—a full two years ahead of their big day, which just so happens to be happening this week! Together, we explored venues that resonated with them (and a few that didn’t), ultimately uncovering what mattered most: timeless beauty, an unforgettable guest experience, and a celebration that felt uniquely theirs.
These “trips before the trip” are an essential part of planning a successful destination wedding. It’s during these moments that the vision begins to take shape—through tastings, venue tours, floral mockups, hair and makeup trials, and quality time spent with your creative team. This is where the magic (and the logistics!) truly begin.
There’s so much more to explore—from location scouting to planning timelines, legal logistics, and guest hospitality. If you’re thinking about saying “I do” somewhere stunning, let’s talk.
I’d love to help you turn your destination dreams into an effortlessly elegant celebration, let’s get started – contact me here.
For more destination wedding planning tips, wedding and event production behind the scenes, travel tips and more – make sure to visit us on YouTube and be sure to subscribe!
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