Our essential guide to destination weddings

Destination weddings are growing in popularity with as many as one in five UK couples heading overseas to locations as varied as Greece, Spain, Italy, America and the Caribbean. 

And it’s not hard to see why. Despite the increased travel costs, a wedding abroad can be a cheaper than a UK celebration, as it often means a smaller guest list or no guests at all. What’s more, combine that with the chances of better weather, picturesque locations and the option to stay on for your honeymoon, and you can see why couples love it!

So, our bridal experts have put together their essential guide to everything you need to know about destination weddings, from what to wear to where to go. We’ve also asked our brilliant real life brides to tell us how they did it and share all their top tips. So, read on to find out how to plan the perfect wedding in the sun…

Why choose destination weddings?

There are so many great reasons to get married abroad. The weather, the setting, the atmosphere, the food and also the chance to keep your guest list small and intimate. Plus, if you want to elope and have a ceremony for just the two of you, it’s ideal. 

Abbey and Ben married at Turtle Beach in Barbados. “It was just the two of us,” says Abbey. "Our dream was always to go away to marry. The beach location had amazing white sand, a blue sky and the most gorgeous ocean. The setting was relaxed, intimate and truly just perfect.”

However, it may not be right for you if you want lots of guests or want to go in term time when children will have to take time out of school. Also, consider whether any elderly relatives you’d love to be there will be happy to make the trip. Lastly, unless you’re feeling very generous and covering everything (which is not expected), a wedding abroad will probably cost more in air fares and accommodation for your guests. So, make sure all the key people on your invite list are likely to be able to afford it.

The top overseas destinations

For our wed2b brides, destinations such as Greece, Cyprus and the Caribbean are popular. Mauritius, Italy, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Bali and South Africa are also great choices for an overseas celebration. 

Alix and James got married at the Majorca restaurant where James proposed. “The restaurant is right next to the sea,” says Alix. “We've always loved being near water, whether it’s the sea, lakes or rivers. So, it was a perfect location for us. It was also where James proposed to me, so it will forever have a special place in our hearts.”

How to choose?

With such a wealth of fabulous countries, how do you choose? Firstly, there are certain destinations where it’s much easier to get legally married than others, due to residency requirements and other stipulations. For example, UK couples can get married in France but you have to either be resident for three months prior to the wedding or have special permission from a local church.

However, the top destination wedding locations listed above are all relatively easy places to marry. For example, in Mauritius the residency requirement is just one day. Wherever you go, it’s a good idea to book your wedding through an experienced tour operator who can help with all the paperwork and legalities. Make sure you also check the latest government advice on your chosen location.

The legal stuff

The paperwork you'll need to marry overseas usually includes:

• A 10-year passport (valid for at least 6 months).
• Birth certificates.
• If adopted, an adoption certificate.
• If widowed, a death certificate and previous marriage certificate.
• An affidavit signed by a solicitor stating no legal objection to the marriage.
• Proof stamped and signed by a solicitor if your name has been changed by deed poll.

Make sure you also check the exchange rate, as this will affect the overall cost of the wedding. And be aware of your luggage allowances, too. If you’re hoping take bridesmaids' dresses, groomsmen's suits and lots of stylish decor then find out what the additional cost will be for this.

When to go…

Marrying abroad doesn’t automatically guarantee you great weather either. So, if warm sunshine is a must-have, make sure you do your homework. Double check it’s not the rainy/heatwave/cold season when you want to go and speak to your tour operator too. They should be able to advise you on all of the above.

Hire a professional

Many of our brides also recommend hiring a wedding planner based in the country you're going to, to help you find local suppliers, navigate local customs and deal with any language barriers. Or, alternatively, booking a hotel that has a wedding package that includes items like flowers, photography and the cake.

 Lucie and Aaron married in Greece and her one top tip is to get some help. “Having a wedding abroad was so much easier than I thought and it helped that I had an amazing wedding planner who I contacted most days,” she says.

Visit in advance (if possible)

Visiting your venue in advance is also a good idea, if you can. Hours of internet research is great but nothing can beat seeing somewhere in person. Natalie and Ben got married in Santorini. “The views were stunning and made most of our guests emotional. We initially booked our venue based on social media pictures but a follow up visit confirmed we made the right decision. The venue was private and secluded and offered three completely different vibes. The bright Greek sunshine and a view of the caldera, then the incredible sunset and finally the beautiful lights of the disco ball at night.”

Although, if you can’t make the trip, ask a local expert. "We decided not to marry in the UK, as we got engaged in a lockdown and were desperate to get away,” says Siobhan. “When looking abroad we looked at beach weddings but I wanted a more formal affair. I was thinking modern lush whites and brights (and somewhere we could legally marry), so I liked the idea of a wedding in Bali.” 

“We found an Australian wedding planner who specifically did Bali weddings. She sent me lots of locations and the moment we saw our venue we knew it was perfect for us. It was next to a rice paddy field and the house was on a similar steps system. This meant we could have the wedding on the top section, cocktails next to the infinity pool and the reception below the pool. It worked perfectly.”

Dress for the sunshine

Then, once you’ve chosen your location, it’s time to find the perfect dress to match. Natalie wore a floral lace sheath with a striking illusion back and Chantilly lace train. “I loved the back and the train was beautiful,” she says. “It made me feel sexy but elegant and I felt amazing in it. We had a destination wedding in Santorini and something light and comfortable was important.” 

Lightweight fabrics such as chiffon or tulle are a great idea for warm or tropical locations (read our guide to wedding dress fabrics here). Also, think about how many heavy layers you want and how easy the dress is to travel with. We offer special boxes and bags to keep your dress safe on the journey, so ask instore.

Beach-worthy boho

Heidi Hudson’s modern boho style is a great choice for destination weddings, as the dresses are light and breathable with a relaxed feel that’s ideal for a warm beach or coastal location. Designed to fit perfectly without feeling restrictive, they also feature understated modern florals or simple ruched chiffon that match the natural beauty of the surroundings.

Abbey chose Baxter, a stretch lace sheath by Heidi Hudson. “It was 'The One' and I had my heart set on it before even trying it on,” she says. “I knew it would be perfect. As soon as I tried it on I burst into tears, as I just felt beautiful. It hugged me in all the right places. I wanted something light, lace and figure hugging for our beach wedding. And that was everything that Baxter was.”

When it comes to the accessories, a sparkling belt or pretty pins are easy to fit in your suitcase and will catch the light beautifully. If you’re marrying on the beach you might not want the volume of an underskirt, but a light lace jacket to keep the sun off your shoulders is ideal.

The guest list

Heading abroad naturally lends itself to a smaller celebration, as many people won’t be able to afford the trip or take time away from work or school. So, keep it small and simple with a guest list of close family and friends.

Unless you’re treating everybody (and there’s no expectation that you do that) you’ll need to consider people’s budgets when choosing your location and how long you want your celebration to last. A short-haul flight somewhere closer to home is the most cost effective and both Greece and Cyprus are great value for destination weddings. Thailand is also one of the most inexpensive places to get married but, of course, flights there will cost more. Wherever you go, make sure you send save the date cards up to 12 months in advance. Then your guests can plan ahead, book time off work and save up for the trip.

Why not make a holiday of it?

Of course, once you’re away you can always stay for longer, too. Consider turning the trip into your honeymoon to make the most of it. If you’re close to family and friends, and don’t mind them gatecrashing your first weeks as Mr and Mrs, then you could invite them to stay longer as well!

Go for simple style and local food

It’s easy to make a beautiful sunny location look fabulous and destination weddings often need very little decoration. It’s also a no brainer to go for delicious local food that’s perfect for the setting and temperature.

Emily and Luca married in an idyllic vineyard resort in the heart of Tuscany. "The ceremony was held outdoors under a 200-year-old cedar tree,” says Emma. “The views were outstanding. We had a natural colour scheme of greens and whites to fit in with the beautiful surroundings. After the ceremony there were aperitifs and finger food, including Tuscan meats, cheese and antipasti with a range of cocktails, wines and juices. Our wedding dinner was nettle ravioli with sage and butter sauce, then a Tuscan bbq with roasted potatoes, salad and grilled vegetables.”

Siobhan & Brian's wedding in Bali had a luxe boho vibe. “Our colour scheme was lots of beautiful whites,” says Siobhan. “Also, the flowers weren’t our main focus, it was more the lighting. We had 23 chandeliers hanging over the tables outside, with a light tent above those. The effect was magical.”

Abbey and Ben’s Barbados wedding was more intimate. “After the ceremony we had a private butler service dinner on the beach for just us two,” says Abbey. "We were surrounded by candles and Caribbean music was being performed live in the distance. It was the most magical evening.”

Finally, create a splash!

Lastly, one of the best things about destination weddings is jumping in the water at the end of the night! “The most memorable moment of the whole day was being introduced as Mr and Mrs Poole, before coming down the steps with pyrotechnics going off behind us,” says Siobhan. “Then, later, jumping in the pool in my dress!” 

“After the ceremony we had a two-hour photography session,” says Abbey. “Then we took our shoes off and jumped in the sea! The pictures were perfect and I got the dress dry cleaned before we flew home. So, no problem!"

So, are destination weddings for you?

If a sunny location and a small guest list sounds perfect, then a destination wedding is a great choice. Take a look at our real weddings for lots more ideas on where to go and what to do. And don’t forget our bridal experts (both online and instore) can help you find the perfect dress and accessories to suit any setting. Finally, real bride Natalie sums it up perfectly with her top tip… “Do what makes you happy and this will make others happy,” she says. “We broke tradition with a sunny and upbeat wedding and guests loved it. Plus, the beautiful destination helped!”

Click here for lots more destination weddings from our brilliant real life brides. Also, for more inspiration, check out our Instagram, Facebook or TikTok accounts.