9 Tips for Choosing the Perfect Destination Wedding Location

Embarking on the journey of planning a destination wedding opens the door to a world of possibilities. Saying “I do” in a picturesque setting, surrounded by loved ones, creates a magical experience that lasts a lifetime. 

You’ve weighed the pros and cons and you’re set for a wedding on faraway lands.

However, with countless stunning locations to choose from, how do you select the perfect location for your destination wedding? This is a question I stressed over for ages

An Aerial Photography of a Wedding Ceremony at the Beach

Fortunately, I learned a lot throughout this planning process, which is why I’m here! Let me share some of my best tips to help you pick the perfect setting.

So, how DO you pick a place for a destination wedding?

Before all else, make sure you partner with a travel agent who specializes in destination weddings. This will make all the difference when it comes to your wedding, trust me!

See why working with a travel agent for your destination wedding is the right move to make!

Here are the key factors to consider when choosing a location for your dream destination wedding.

1. Define Your Vision

Before diving into potential locations, take some time to envision your dream wedding. Do you picture a beach ceremony, a mountainous backdrop, or a historic cityscape? Clarifying your vision will help narrow down your options.

If there’s one thing I can recommend, it’s to take your time with this step. You may have an idea of what you want your wedding to look like. Write those ideas down, and go from there.

Couple Standing On Grass Field While Looking At Each Other

2. Consider Your Budget

Establishing a budget is a crucial first step. While saving money is one of the top reasons couples choose destination weddings, different destinations come with varying price tags. 

This is influenced by factors like travel costs, accommodation, and local wedding services. Be realistic about your financial parameters to ensure a stress-free planning process.

It’s not just the travel and wedding itself you have to factor in; it’s vendors, wedding attire, guest favours/group excursion (if you choose to go this route), etc. 

Our wedding package was only $1950, but by the time we factored in everything wedding related, we were sitting close to $10K.

This really isn’t bad considering what at-home weddings cost, and we were prepared and expecting it to in that range, but you have to factor all these extra costs in.

An Island with Cottages and Beach Chairs.

All-inclusive resorts are also very popular in the destination wedding world, and for good reason! All-in-one-pricing for accommodations, food, and drink appeal to make people, making it cost-effective for guests as well.

This doesn’t necessarily mean the wedding is free, contrary to what people may think, so it pays (literally) to do your research. Check out venues that offer free wedding packages (because they do exist!) which can help offset these costs.

3. Guest Accessibility

While a far-flung island may sound enticing, consider the accessibility for your guests. Think about travel time, potential visa requirements, and the overall ease of reaching the destination. 

For example, are there numerous connecting flights, long layovers, and extensive travel times between the airport and your location?

These are all factors to consider. Ensuring your loved ones can join in on the celebration is key to a memorable experience.

We were initially planning a wedding in Honduras, but flight availability really limited how easy it was going to be to get there. We opted for an easy, direct flight with close proximity to the airport to make it easier for our guests. 

P.s. I’m not saying plan your wedding around your guests, but it is something to keep in mind if you want a good chance of your guest list attending!

Wedding Venue Set up on Tropical Beach

4. Climate and Season

Weather plays a significant role in the atmosphere of your wedding. Research the climate of potential locations during your preferred wedding season.

Be mindful of hurricane seasons, monsoons, or extreme temperatures that might impact your chosen destination.

For example, while you can get cheaper room rates in the Caribbean during hurricane season (June 1 – November 30, by the way!), you stand a greater chance of a less-than-sunny wedding day.

This isn’t saying your wedding is absolutely going to get rained out, as I’ve travelled to the Caribbean during those months with perfect weather, but it is a good idea to make notes of these things while planning your big day.

Pink and Red Roses Centerpiece Near Silverwares

5. Local Marriage Requirements

Each destination has its own set of legal requirements for marriage, should you opt for a legal wedding ceremony.

Research the marriage license process, residency requirements, and any necessary documentation. Factor in the time and effort required to navigate these procedures, since some locations require you to be in that country for a minimum amount of days prior to the wedding.

If you are choosing the symbolic ceremony route, you don’t need to worry about any legalities. You may still be required to be on-site for a few days prior to the wedding. This will also give you time to go over the final details prior to your wedding.

My husband and I had a symbolic ceremony in Mexico, and we were still required to be at the resort 3 days prior to our wedding!

Beach Wedding Theme

6. Venue Options

Explore the variety of venues available at your chosen destination. Whether it’s a beachfront resort, a historic villa, or a mountaintop retreat, make sure the venue aligns with your vision and accommodates your guest count comfortably. 

For example, if you have your heart set on getting married with your feet in the sand, but a venue you’re looking at doesn’t have that option (or a very good option that you’ve envisioned), why compromise?

I promise there is a perfect place for everyone. Don’t settle – continue your search!

Be sure to explore all backup locations, too, in the event of poor weather.

Woman and Man Walking in Park in Front of Eiffel Tower

7. Vendor Availability

Research the availability and quality of local vendors, including photographers, caterers, and florists. 

You may have to do a deep dive to see if outside vendors are allowed on the property. Check reviews, ask for recommendations, and ensure that the destination has the resources to bring your wedding vision to life.

You may be considering bringing in your own photographer or makeup artist, but there may be legalities around this, too. I’m a huge proponent of hiring locally, and will always recommend that since they know the location best. More on this on a later post!

Man and Woman Holding Wedding Rings

8. Think of Personal Connections

If you’re still having a difficult time in picking a location for your destination wedding, try thinking of locations that hold personal significance for you and your partner. 

Whether it’s a place you’ve visited together, a destination that reflects your shared interests, or a locale with sentimental value, infusing personal meaning into your wedding location can make the day even more special.

I really struggled with picking a resort to get married at when we were planning our destination wedding. I agonized over this decision (without the support of a travel agent, do not recommend it!), but it eventually clicked.

We decided to get married at the place we took one of our first vacations in Mexico. It felt right.

An Elegant Wedding Reception

9. Visit your Chosen Location

If time (and budget!) allows for it, a site visit is always a good idea to ease your mind to make sure you’ve made the right choice. What you see in photos isn’t always what you experience in person aren’t always the same thing.

That being said, plenty of brides book their venues sight unseen. If you can’t go for a site visit, be sure to read reviews, talk to past brides (Facebook groups are great for this!), and ask questions prior to booking.

Man and Woman Standing on Shore Kissing

Choosing your Destination Wedding location

I know this is overwhelming because you want your day to be perfect. This is all the more reason why I stress the need to work with someone who specializes in travel AND destination weddings.

If you’re stumped, shoot me an email and I’ll give you my best recommendations to make sure you’re in good hands!

Selecting the perfect location for your destination wedding is a thrilling but difficult process. By considering your budget, guest accessibility, climate, local marriage requirements, venue options, vendor availability, and personal connection, you’ll be well on your way to finding the ideal backdrop for your dream wedding. 

Remember, the destination you choose will not only shape the ambiance of your celebration but will also become an integral part of the beautiful memories you’ll cherish for a lifetime. 

Happy wedding planning!

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