20 Must-Know Tips for Your Destination Wedding
Planning a destination wedding is one of the most exciting (and challenging!) adventures you can embark on. From choosing the perfect location to making sure your guests feel welcomed, every detail matters. At Soul Lovers Weddings, we specialize in capturing the magic of weddings around the world, and we know just how important it is to get things right.
This guide brings you 20 must-know tips to help you plan your dream destination wedding with clarity, joy, and total confidence.
Whether you’re saying “I do” on the cliffs of the Amalfi Coast, beneath the lush canopies of Tulum, overlooking the ocean in Los Cabos, or tucked away in a romantic villa in Provence — these expert insights will guide you every step of the way.
1. Choose a Location with Personal Meaning
Your destination should feel like “you”. Think about places that matter to your love story—where you met, where you first traveled together, or a place you’ve always dreamed of.
2. Research Local Marriage Requirements
Every country has different rules for legal weddings. Some require documentation or residency. If the legal process is too complex, consider a symbolic ceremony and marry legally at home.
3. Visit the Location in Advance
If possible, plan a scouting trip to visit the venue, meet your planner, and envision the day. It’s also the best way to test lighting and locations if you’re working with a photographer or videographer.
4. Hire a Local Wedding Planner
A planner who knows the area will save you time, stress, and miscommunications. They understand the language, vendors, and regulations.
5. Choose the Right Season
Check the weather, tourism high seasons, and local holidays. Getting married in the off-season might be more affordable but be mindful of potential weather risks.
6. Keep It Intimate
Destination weddings shine when they feel personal. With fewer guests, you can invest more in the experience—luxurious settings, longer celebrations, and deeper connection.
7. Give Guests Plenty of Notice
Send Save the Dates at least 8-12 months in advance so your guests can plan travel and accommodation.
8. Provide Travel & Accommodation Info
Create a wedding website or digital guide with flight options, hotel blocks, local tips, and transportation details.
9. Plan a Welcome Event
Start the celebration early with a relaxed welcome dinner or cocktail night. It sets the tone and lets guests bond before the big day.
10. Keep Legal Backups
Scan all contracts, travel documents, and IDs. Keep digital copies in the cloud and share them with someone you trust.
11. Pack Smart
Create a checklist including attire, accessories, paperwork, and day-of essentials. Carry your dress/suit as hand luggage!
12. Trust Your Photographer
Hire someone who specializes in destination weddings. They know how to adapt to new environments, changing light, and travel logistics.
13. Embrace the Local Culture
Incorporate regional flavors, traditions, or music into your celebration. It enriches the experience and creates unforgettable memories.
14. Plan for Unexpected Delays
Flights get delayed, luggage gets lost. Build buffer time into your schedule and consider travel insurance.
15. Don’t Overplan
Leave space for spontaneity. A sunset walk or a quiet breakfast together can be just as meaningful as any planned event.
16. Create a Visual Moodboard
Share your Pinterest moodboard with your planner and creative team. It helps align expectations and creates a cohesive aesthetic and if you are a stylish bride to be and you love fashion vibe, here you can read 10 secrets for your wedding photos
17. Send Welcome Bags
Delight your guests with local goodies, maps, water, sunscreen, or hangover kits. It’s a thoughtful way to say thank you.
18. Communicate with Vendors Clearly
Time zones and languages can create confusion. Keep communication organized with timelines, shared docs, and one point of contact.
Having vendors who truly understand your vision and are familiar with your wedding destination makes a real difference.
It allows you to build trust and connection during the months leading up to your big day. When your team knows the location well, they can guide you with confidence, adapt easily, and help create an experience that feels seamless and personal from start to finish.
19. Consider a Day-After Session
Plan a relaxed shoot the day after your wedding. It allows for intimate, creative photos without the time pressure.
One of the most beautiful trends we’ve seen in recent years is the rise of multi-day weddings.
From a welcome dinner where everyone can connect before the ceremony, to a relaxed pool party the day after — these extra moments bring people together in unforgettable ways. They also add incredible emotional depth to your wedding gallery, telling a fuller story of your celebration.
20. Remember What Matters
Through all the planning and logistics, keep your focus on what this day means. It’s about love, connection, and starting a new chapter—together. Always remember: this is your day.
What matters most is that your timeline includes moments that are truly yours — quiet, joyful, or just the two of you. The most powerful memories often happen in the pauses, and we believe those should be honored and preserved, just as much as the rest.
Planning a wedding is like crafting a beautiful symphony; while the notes and arrangements are important, it’s the pauses between the music where the heart truly resonates. Always cherish those moments, for they define the essence of your special day.
Bonus Tip: Choose Vendors Who Travel Well
Choose someone with real experience in international travel.
It’s essential that your photographer knows how to handle time zones, travel logistics, and arrival windows. Being able to plan ahead and move confidently across borders ensures that nothing is left to chance and that you can fully relax, knowing they’ll be exactly where they need to be when it matters most. Your destination wedding isn’t just an event—it’s an unforgettable chapter of your love story. With these 20 must-know tips, you’re ready to plan a celebration that’s deeply personal, beautifully curated, and authentically you.
Our Approach
We strongly believe that destination weddings go beyond mere events; they represent profound emotional voyages that should be documented with compassion, creativity, and diligence. Our approach centers on storytelling: we do not simply capture stunning images, but rather transform moments into visual narratives.
We work closely with couples desiring to narrate their love tale with heartfelt emotion and deliberate aesthetics. Whether you opt for an intimate elopement in a clifftop villa in Lake Como or a lavish multi-day festivity in Todos Santos, our goal is to transcend traditional photography and become visual partners in one of your life’s most intimate moments.
Our Philosophy
We believe in soft light, soulful textures, and the elegance of simplicity. Our editorial approach blends fine art composition with documentary sensibility, allowing us to capture moments as they unfold organically while maintaining a refined visual identity.
We approach each wedding with a sense of calm presence and purpose. There is no formula — only your story, your energy, and our lens tuned into your rhythm.
What Makes Us Different
- We specialize in destination weddings and work across Mexico, Italy, United States , working worldwide
- We offer digital + film photography to ensure timeless and layered storytelling.
- We speak English, Spanish, and Italian, ensuring smooth communication across cultures.
- We curate every gallery with a meticulous eye, delivering emotion-first images that feel both artistic and authentic.
- We limit the number of weddings we take on each year to offer our couples a deeply personal and dedicated experience.
From Booking to Delivery
The journey begins with connection. We schedule a discovery call to get to know you — your vision, your energy, and your unique story. From there, we build a customized photography experience tailored to your destination, timeline, and aesthetic.
During the wedding, we blend in seamlessly: observing, anticipating, and capturing the moments that matter most. And after your day, we carefully edit and curate a gallery that reflects the soul of your celebration.
For us, it’s not just about capturing how it looked — but how it felt.
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