Reading planning guides is one thing, but sometimes you just want to hear from the people who’ve actually done it. So we asked. Here are thirteen real couples who said “I do” overseas, and the one piece of advice each of them would pass on to you. Grab a cuppa, because this is the good stuff.
1. Just take the leap
Emily and Daniel married on the cliffs of Koh Samui and never looked back. Her pep talk for anyone still dithering is refreshingly blunt.
“Just do it. Not only do you get more from the financial side of things, but it truly adds to the experience and takes away the stress of having to individually plan things when there are incredible wedding packages available to you.” – Emily
Wedding of Emily & Daniel, Silavadee Pool Spa Resort, Koh Samui. Photography by Eak Samui Photographer.
2. Give your guests plenty of notice
Mishka and Hamish had guests flying in from New Zealand and the UK, so early warning was everything. Her advice comes with a lovely second half that couples often forget.
“Give your guests plenty of notice so they can plan and make a holiday of it. Don’t overbook yourselves, make sure to put aside plenty of time for just the two of you.” – Mishka
Wedding of Mishka & Hamish, The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium, Cook Islands. Photography by Laisa Vakaloloma.
3. Keep it small
Allana juggled wedding planning with medical school, and swears by keeping the guest list tight. Twenty people on Sunset Beach, K’gari, and not a single regret.
“Keep it nice and small! It was lovely to share this intimate moment with our close family and friends.” – Allana
Wedding of Allana & Jordan, Kingfisher Bay Resort, K’gari, Queensland. Photography by Jennifer McCue Photography.
4. Use the suppliers your venue knows
Kaitlin and Jake handed the details to their resort’s team and had the effortless day they were hoping for. Her tip is one we hear again and again from couples who marry abroad.
“Pick the suppliers your venue recommends. It made the day feel effortless, and everyone brought such a beautiful energy.” – Kaitlin
Wedding of Kaitlin & Jake, Yangaro, Whitsundays. Photography by Timeless Images.
5. Get the off-island jobs done early
Katie and Tom married on Lomani Island in Fiji, and the smartest thing they did came straight from their coordinator: front-load anything you can do from home.
“Most of the sorting happens in the last few weeks and months, so sorting out all the tasks which can be done off-island (like rings, suits, dress) before then will save you time in the long run.” – Katie
Wedding of Katie & Tom, Lomani Island Resort, Fiji. Photography by Konnected Memories.
6. Pick your top three priorities
Jessica and Brandon planned their Koh Samui wedding from afar, and Jess has a brilliant way to cut through the overwhelm of choosing a venue.
“Choose the top three things that matter most to you and base your venue choice on those. Communicate early with your vendors, and try not to worry about minor hiccups. What you’ll remember most is the feeling of love and pride that you made it to this day together.” – Jess
Wedding of Jessica & Brandon, Silavadee Pool Spa Resort, Koh Samui. Photography by Eak Samui Photographer.
7. Go with the flow
Kelly and Ian chose Fiji as neutral ground for their Australian and South African families, and Kelly’s advice is the mantra every destination couple needs.
“Go with the flow and don’t stress! It will all work out beautifully and come together on the day.” – Kelly
Wedding of Kelly & Ian, Plantation Island Resort, Fiji. Photography by Nadi Bay Photography.
8. Lean on local vendors, and stay present
Caitline and Lucas married on a long stretch of Palawan beach, planning much of it while Caitline was pregnant. Their advice is about trusting the place and the people.
“Plan ahead, work with local vendors, and choose a setting that reflects your story. Be flexible and present, the magic lies in the memories you create together.” – Caitline & Lucas
Wedding of Caitline & Lucas, Discovery Coron, Palawan. Photography by Mayad Studios.
9. The packages can cost less than a wedding at home
David and Chelsea assumed a destination wedding would be the extravagant option. It turned out to be the opposite, which is worth knowing if the budget is giving you pause.
“There are so many amazing packages available that make planning easier and surprisingly affordable. For us, it ended up being a similar cost, if not cheaper, than having a local wedding in Brisbane.” – Chelsea
Wedding of David & Chelsea, Daydream Island Resort & Living Reef. Photography by Taila Warn Photography.
10. Check your suppliers before you book
Cara and Jamie renewed their vows in the Maldives, and as celebrants themselves they know exactly where couples come unstuck.
“Check reviews of suppliers to make sure they’re highly rated and align with your vision.” – Cara
Wedding of Cara & Jamie, Four Seasons Maldives. Photography by Digital Studio Maldives.
11. Keep your expectations realistic, especially outdoors
Ricco and Jessica had a drizzle scare in Palawan that cleared just in time. Their takeaway is a healthy reset for anyone dreaming of a flawless beach day.
“Keep your expectations realistic, especially with outdoor venues. Don’t expect perfection. Go with the flow, trust your suppliers, and enjoy the experience. Sometimes the unexpected makes for the best memories.” – Ricco & Jessica
Wedding of Ricco & Jessica, Discovery Coron, Palawan. Photography by Nicolai Melicor Photography.
12. Don’t sweat the small stuff
Megan and Evan wed in Lanzarote with their four children in tow, and rolled with a collapsing top table and a very stubborn bouquet toss. Their whole approach was to laugh it off.
“Don’t sweat the small stuff.” – Megan
Megan lived it, right down to solving the flower budget with eighty euros of faux blooms bought online. You’d never guess.
Wedding of Megan & Evan, H10 Rubicon Palace, Lanzarote, Spain. Photography by Bronte Photography.
13. A great coordinator is worth their weight in gold
Tressabel and Yovan planned their sustainable Bali wedding from two different cities, so a coordinator who simply understood them made all the difference.
“We were so lucky to have a wedding organiser who seemed to know exactly what we wanted. They never overwhelmed us with too many options. It was as if they had known us for a long time.” – Tressabel
Wedding of Tressabel & Yovan, Conrad Bali. Photography by AVB Media Asia.
A few clever little hacks worth stealing
Beyond the big-picture advice, these couples had some seriously handy tricks up their sleeves:
- Faux flowers travel better. Allana chose silk blooms to save the fuss of getting fresh flowers across on the ferry to K’gari, and Megan grabbed eighty euros of faux flowers online in Lanzarote. Nobody was any the wiser.
- Pack light for small planes. Cara learned that seaplane luggage limits in the Maldives are no joke, so a sunny destination is your friend: you can pack light and still have everything you need.
- Swap the guest favours for good. Tressabel and Yovan skipped traditional bomboniere in favour of a donation to a local animal shelter, with each guest receiving a certificate in their name. A lovely, clutter-free idea.