Caroline Hurley of Quintessentially Weddings gives her top tips for planning a wedding abroad.
Weddings on Female First
There is just something about a destination wedding: effortlessly romantic, with a sense that you are somehow eloping from the ordinary to the exotic. There is a feeling of gleeful liberation when brides mention to us the prospects of marrying abroad – you are not constrained by the same must-haves of the traditional do. But while you may dream of bikinis, iced cocktail receptions and endless sunshine-filled days, the pitfalls and stresses can be multiplied when organising remotely.
Besides the predictable language barrier issues, you may find yourself battling a lack of local knowledge and awareness of business customs. For instance: never try negotiating with an Italian just before lunch. If possible, buy them lunch, then barter! Not to mention the rather interesting and unexpected interpretations of what you mean when you say ‘stylish and contemporary’ to someone in a remote French village whose last experience of wedding trends was circa 1999.
If you want your wedding to make a style statement we would suggest investing in someone who knows the area like the back of their hands. Quintessentially Weddings unrivalled global network and rich local and cultural knowledge provides just this and brings together the very best of local and international talent to create the perfect wedding.
Until then, here are a couple of top tips for planning a wedding abroad:
Give yourself time. The best destination venues get snapped up months in advance during peak periods. Plus, allow plenty of time to make complicated arrangements – the sourcing of flights, Visas and a wide range of accommodation to suit different pockets can be a total nightmare. Issue your invites as soon as your location is decided, so guests can plan holidays, find babysitters and book time off.
Consider the climate at the time of year and time of day that you plan your wedding – sunburn looks good on no-one. Organise fans and parasols for your guests if your wedding is in a hot climate, try to plan your day around the coolest periods in the morning or early evening, or you could even opt for a shady, air-conditioned environment. Pop facial mists in guests’ welcome packs and think about having ‘cooling stations’ where they can access ice, cold drinks and chilled facial towels. Milder temperatures call for baskets of blankets and pashminas, fun takes on hot chocolate and toasty furnishings.
Embrace local traditions. Not only will a Thai feast from your caterers taste infinitely better than any attempt at ‘haute European’ cuisine, but bohemian, vibrantly coloured touches can really lift your aesthetic. Take inspiration from the landscape and materials in the vicinity. Kate Bosworth’s ranch wedding took horseshoes and made them look chic, whilst Andrea Casiraghi and Tatiana Santo Domingo served wedges of Emmental at their Swiss wedding and decorated with abundant green and white floristry to emulate the snowbound Alpine setting.
Don’t compromise on the details. Work with an event designer and dresser at the wedding location who can accurately source what you want (or arrange shipping it in if not readily accessible) removing the headache of lugging over suitcases of candles and props.
Above are just a few of the hundreds of difficulties that can be faced when planning a wedding aboard; however, Quintessentially Weddings provides you the ability to sit back and relax whilst the experts guide you through the planning process. Our priority is to guarantee you a stress-free experience and an unforgettable day for you and your loved ones.
"Quintessentially Weddings' Atelier, the world's most luxurious wedding show created by the world’s finest wedding planners, taking place on October 23rd - 25th at 2 Temple Place. To register interest for a place on the guest list and for more information please visit:
For more information please visit: http://www.quintessentiallyweddings.com/
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