Thinking about getting married abroad? You might be wondering what you need to think about when it comes to planning your wedding in a different country, so we’ve teamed up with the wedding experts at Sea Breeze Beach House in Barbados to give you some practical advice about the five things you should know when planning your dream destination wedding.
Asking your guests to travel for a wedding abroad is a big ask, but it’s one that many of your loved ones (that you actually want to be there) will be willing to undertake. A destination wedding truly prolongs the celebration, as quite often, everyone travels together and the festivities can be extended to encompass everyone’s stay.
Do your research
Think about what you want when you picture your wedding. Do you see yourself getting married in an intimate ceremony amongst lush, tropical gardens, or in a grand soirée by the sea? Do you want your guests to enjoy a beachside barbecue or fresh local cuisine in a luxurious beach house?
You often hear ‘not all all-inclusive hotels are created equally’ with the drinks on offer etc and the same applies to weddings abroad; not all destination weddings are created the same.
Cheaper weddings abroad tend to cut costs with the finer details and those finer details are so important on your wedding day. Doing your research and asking those key questions will add value to your destination wedding and avoid any unwanted surprises for example plastic foliage over fresh flowers.
Send out your save the dates ASAP
Make sure you send out your save the dates to your guests as soon as you can – ideally once you’ve decided on your destination and booked your wedding abroad. This will allow your friends and family plenty of notice to book their time off work and make their travel plans accordingly.
Some hotels will offer day passes for guests who aren’t staying at the same hotel as you, whilst others will ask that a certain number of your wedding guests stay at the same place as you.
Talk to your wedding coordinator about setting up a livestream of your wedding day so your friends and family at home who couldn’t travel can still enjoy being part of your big day abroad.
Your hotel is key
Your hotel is your home away from home for your destination wedding – it’s where you’ll wake up and get ready ahead of your festivities so you need to make sure it’s everything you need it to be.
Lots of couples find it useful to book an extra room to get ready in on the big day. This is an especially good idea if you have a larger bridal party and might need more space, or if you want to follow tradition and spend the night before your wedding apart too. If you don’t want to book a separate room, consider arranging for you or your partner to get ready on the morning in the room of the best man or maid of honour.
Why not book the honeymoon suite for the ultimate luxury experience at your wedding abroad? You could also consider upgrading once you’re there, but upgrades are never guaranteed and it’s best to book in advance especially now that destination weddings are more popular than ever.
Keep it cool
If your wedding is taking place in a particularly hot destination, you might want to consider having a sunset ceremony. Not only is it extra romantic and picturesque, but it will be cooler for you and your guests too. Your wedding planner will be able to advise on this.
If you’re planning on a beach ceremony, consider linen suits and light flowy dresses to keep everyone cool. You should think carefully about your footwear too – smart shoes and fancy heels aren’t compatible with sand – and a lot of bridal parties end up bare foot! says xx
It’s hard to not pick up a bit of a tan when you’re staying in a sunny destination, but make sure you apply sun cream to avoid burning, and be extra careful of tan lines. It’s worth looking for swimwear with the same neckline as your wedding outfit to make sure you won’t have any odd tan lines on display in your wedding photos!
Talk to the destination wedding experts
The weddings team should know everything there is to know about their wedding venue and should be able to give you expert advice and guide you on your options. From sourcing key suppliers, liaising with vendors, and explaining your requirements in the local language, the help will be essential. They will also be able to break down exactly what is available to you and help you find the perfect package to suit your wedding style for your wedding abroad.
If you’re thinking of a destination wedding in Barbados, create your day, your way with Sea Breeze Beach House. Breeze Beach House is a spectacular and romantic Barbados wedding venue and popular with couples opting for a wedding abroad for a reason. Their designated weddings team pay attention to the finer details and provide customisable wedding packages tailored to you, so your big day will be a breeze.
