Planning an international wedding?
If you’re a multicultural couple, have family all over the world, or your love for travel is begging for an international wedding, get ready for some valuable advice.
As a photographer who works primarily with international couples, I often get asked for advice on how to plan for a wedding that fits their global identity. The good news is that I don’t just have ideas, I also have personal experience - my husband and I got married across 3 continents through 6 separate events to celebrate our union!
I picked up many valuable lessons along the way, which I’d love to share with you.
Let’s get started…
photo by LoveWilde
What kind of international wedding is best for you?
Personally, I had always dreamed of a destination wedding. What could be better than celebrating our love somewhere magical with the people dearest to us? And ironically, destination weddings are often cheaper than local weddings! Seemed like a no brainer!
But there are things to consider:
Most destination wedding venues (such as resorts) have a LOT of restrictions, so make sure you are fully aware of the fine print before you sign anything. For example, you might have to work with their (sometimes less ideal) in-house vendors, denying you the option of your dream team.
If you have big families or large groups of friends, not inviting every single person you love is unfortunate… and if you do and they all show up, get ready for a massive bill!
Another option if you prefer small and intimate is to have an elopement. Most people misunderstand elopements as a couple getting married somewhere in nature, but the industry has changed so much. Nowadays, it’s also an opportunity to celebrate your union with a small group outside of a venue and its policies. Research “intimate wedding” and you’ll find plenty of examples.
If you have family and friends all over the world, understand that no matter the location you choose, some guests will be unable to attend because of travel limitations.
A potential solution? Have a travel wedding!
photo by Diane Boudard
How to plan for a travel wedding?
Our solution to celebrate with everyone we loved was simply to travel to them! In other words, we traveled to the countries where we had family and had local events in each place.
Sounds like a lot of work, right? Absolutely, but it can be surprisingly smooth if you have a solid plan.
The first step is figure out a budget. For us, there was an overall budget and a budget per event.
It’s super important to stay realistic about your realm of possibilities. You have to plan according to your personal situation, which also makes it more meaningful!
Planning anything abroad has many complications, so working with a planner or local connections is key. Trust me, you’ll need all the assistance you can get. Just keep in mind that the more people help with making a dream wedding possible, the more dreams are involved. This collaboration and teamwork will also prepares you for married life!
photo by K.Nasif Photography
So how do you pull it all off?
Words of advice: stay calm and be organized.
A solid execution plan will help you stay on top of everything. Make sure you give yourselves plenty of time, as wedding planning is a complex journey with many unpredictable outcomes.
There is a lot to unpack here. For our wedding, we had multiple lists, spreadsheets, schedules, and mood boards for each of our events. I’m happy to share my planning materials with you if you work with me as your wedding photographer or videographer.
Get in touch with me and let’s make your wedding dreams come true!