The pros and cons of a wedding abroad

For most couples, a venue in a stunning location is non-negotiable for their wedding day. For a romantic atmosphere, many nearly-weds choose to escape to a destination abroad, to set the scene and ensure their guests are perfectly relaxed for their big day.

Of course, there are both pros and cons to having your wedding abroad. Coming up, we share some of the great things to look forward to, as well as a couple things you’ll need to keep in mind if you choose to get married in a faraway destination.

Pro: a beautiful location

No matter how you envision your wedding, being open to travel abroad means you’ll have lots more stunning locations available to you. Whether you’re hoping to head somewhere snowy or dream of tying the knot on the beach, a beautiful destination will help to set the scene for your big day.

With the setting sorted, you may find you don’t need as many decor items for your celebration – simply enjoy the sights and sounds of the culture around you, and let the views speak for themselves. Similarly, your guests will be far too busy enjoying the local attractions to need any entertainment. However, there will be plenty of unique options should you decide to treat them to a local entertainment act.

Con: plenty to plan

Planning a wedding in a foreign country will inevitably be trickier than planning it at home. You may need to get in touch with vendors who speak a different language from you, which can occasionally lead to miscommunication.

Of course, there’s also your transport to plan – not just for yourself, but for your guests too. You won’t need to book their flights for them, but you will need to think about how much it’ll cost each of your guests to get to your destination, as well as potential routes they may need to take.

Pro: something for every budget

Heading abroad doesn’t have to cost a fortune. There are many locations that are both stunning and affordable, and how expensive your celebration is really depends on the venue, catering and decor you choose.

If you opt for a simple beach ceremony in a hot destination, you can save on many common wedding expenses. For example, you may choose to wear a simple boho dress over a lavish wedding gown, or serve more affordable local delicacies rather than imported food items.

Con: a smaller guest list

Unfortunately, not everybody you invite to your wedding will be able to travel abroad. So, you’ll need to consider how big you want your wedding to be, and whether or not you may have loved ones who aren’t able to make the trip.

Many couples choose to get married abroad for a more intimate celebration, like a micro wedding or elopement. So long as you’re willing to keep your guest list small, a destination wedding may be the perfect choice for you.

If you prepare well and know what to expect, a destination wedding can be just as special as a wedding close to home. Plan ahead to make sure you’re getting all your must-haves, for a day you’ll treasure forever.