Photography has taken me all over the world. I’ve shot in Italy, France, Mexico, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and have travelled extensively, both in the US and abroad. Thankfully, I’ve learned a thing or two about what helps make destination weddings (and travel in general) run smoothly. This is my shortlist of tips for couples considering a destination wedding.

Venice, Italy

When it comes to your guest list and bridal party, keep it small. Yes, you will likely lose a decent percentage of guests who can’t make the trip, but don’t rely on that alone. Being very intentional with your guest list and erring on the conservative side will save you headaches in trying to navigate questions, logistics, and on-site fiascos. This will help you keep the focus on what you came to do (get married!) while enjoying the ambiance with the people who mean the most to you. I’ve found that around 50 total people attending tends to be a sweet spot for the number of guests attending a destination wedding.

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

When you are deciding on your venue, be sure to ask a lot of questions and don’t be shy! Many resorts will have in-house or local vendors that they work with and include as preferred or even mandatory options in their wedding packages. Even if they state in their contracts that you must use their partner vendors, photographers, florists, djs, etc… it never hurts to ask if you want to customize that list! It has become standard practice for many venues to allow couples to bring their own photographers, but they might not advertise that if they have local partners. You won’t know if you don’t ask! Your favorite photographer might be motivated to expand their portfolio and could even waive certain fees, such as travel costs, to help provide services for your big day. This is a win-win when you get to work with a professional whose work you love and trust, over someone preselected for you by the venue. There can also be big pluses to working with local vendors and I am a big proponent of supporting the local economy when you are travelling. However, I have seen some problems arise with preselected vendors not delivering or arriving late. If there is a service that is extra important to you, make sure you do your research and look at all the possible options! This could also apply to videographers, coordinators, and planners. If you have your heart set on something… ask! If you are using your venue’s partners, ask to meet in person with all service providers for the wedding day, particularly the day-of coordinator/planner, florist, photographer, officiant, and caterer/ bakery. Getting that face time will help build trust and give you solid contacts when your wedding day rolls around. This will help ensure that everyone is on the same page with schedule and deliverables.

Venice, Brisighella and Ravenna, Italy

The less guesswork for your guests, the happier everyone will be. Provide as much information as you can from the start. Sending save the dates? Include the destination and venue, if possible. When invitations go out, include information about the room block, other local lodging options, and any additional events that guests may want to plan their travel around. Sending a follow up email to all invited guests right after the invites drop can also provide an opportunity for you to dive into more details without overwhelming your invitation suite. In the past, I really appreciated travel recommendations that I received from the bride and groom which included preferred airlines and where to find the best flight deals, shuttle and on the ground transfer info, maps of the venue and surrounding area as well as recommendations for dining and activities. Set a hard deadline for RSVPs and provide all those attending with an agenda that includes all the wedding activities. You may want to create 2 versions, one for family and bridal party who are required for extra rehearsals, getting ready, etc… and one for your general attendees. Invest in a welcome package for your guests when they arrive at the venue/hotel and be sure to include a printed copy of the agenda, a local map, and one or two other items (don’t underestimate the value of water bottles and a local tasty treat!) to get them excited about the location and celebrating with you. Have fun with it and keep communication open with your guests, but get ahead of all the questions by providing all the info your guests need before they even ask!

San Juan, Puerto Rico

If at all possible, plan to make at least one in-person visit to your venue prior to your wedding and use this time to the max! Explore the space in the venue, scout out the best locations for photos, go off-site to find your favorite local spots for food, drink, and entertainment, and meet as many of the people who will be involved with your wedding as you can. Really take advantage of this visit to help you understand what the challenges might be for your wedding, what your guests might need to know, and who your champions are at the venue. Build those relationships and learn more about the culture while you are there!

St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands

I tell my couples this before every wedding, but it is particularly true with destination weddings, ready for it? … SOMETHING will not go according to plan. Don’t let it ruin your day. The quicker you can move past (what are usually small) snafoos, the better. If a larger problem arises, still be gracious to the people who are trying to help you. A little kindness goes a long way in promoting goodwill and when you look back on your wedding, you will want to be able to say that you laughed and danced and had a great time. Nerves will be running high, so try to have a sense of humor and roll with things. If there is a language barrier, have someone close to you who can speak the language help with communication. Pro Tip: Be sure to tip the people working for you on site. Being classy and kind will come back around to you!

Paris, France and Chateau Bouthenviellers