How to Plan a Destination Wedding. Tips from a Wedding Photographer.

Can I share a story or two about my personal experiences as a photographer traveling to different parts of the world to shoot weddings?

Since 2003, I've been working as a photographer based out of Toronto Canada. During this time, I've traveled to eleven countries, and shot weddings as big as 800 guests, and as small as 5!

As a vendor, we see and hear things that guests don't. Planning a destination wedding is pretty stressful, regardless of the scale or budget. Even a small dinner party wedding in Tuscany has its logistical challenges. An 800 person wedding in San Francisco one weekend and San Jose the next, with three events between the two cities with over 300 guests from out of country was fun, but also I think everyone involved was in high stress mode the entire time.

At the end of the trip, once your guests have flown back home, and once you've finally settled into honeymoon stage, and then "life" together as a couple, what matters most is the experience.

It's not always about how many thousands were spent on flowers (though they do look incredible) or what five figure custom dress you're wearing (90% of wedding dresses look hot on brides regardless of price).

It's about creating a memory, based around a set of rituals and traditions that are based on our personal beliefs and cultures.

My only real advice to anyone planning to get married overseas is this:

First - spend the money on the local wedding coordinator / designer / planner. That is worth the money - always.

Second - arrive to your destination at least four days in advance so you can wind down from the trip, get to see the venue, meet your vendors, and get used to the food and climate of where you are.

Third - hire vendors (local or not) that are not only excellent at their craft, but that also have experience with everything that is involved in executing a destination wedding.

For a photographer, they should be offering services such as location visits before the wedding, rehearsal day / dinner coverage, vendor meeting and communications early on before the wedding date (this is huge if you're an out of town vendor), and timeline review and approval with both yourself and your planner.

You need a team. A team of dedicated staff that are on the same page. That understand your vision, and are able to work together to execute that dream wedding - regardless of your budget.

All the best to all 2024 and 2025 couples planning this incredible event and moment in your lives together!

Andreas.