Deciding on a destination wedding is such an exciting time! There are so many options available and possibilities to create a truly unforgettable experience for all involved. However, it does take some careful planning and consideration. As a leading Destination Wedding Planner, we’re sharing our top do’s and don’ts of planning a destination wedding in Ireland.
1. Do Choose a Location Personal to You.
Photographers: Wonder and Magic.ie & Claire Studio Brown
Choosing a location is one of the first decisions you and your partner will make. It’s also one of the biggest decisions and one that requires some discussion and thought. While you will want to ensure the location you choose is easily accessible for guests with multiple travel options, ultimately, it’s your day. Whether it’s a place you visited together or have always dreamed of going to, the destination will always be a special place to you.
Once you decide on the location, the venue is your next decision. Have you always wanted to get married in an Irish castle or a manor house? Maybe an outdoor wedding surrounded by beautiful fresh flowers has always appealed to you. There are so many gorgeous options to choose from on the Emerald Isle.
Photographer: Studio Lordan
2. Don’t Rush the Process.
Photographer: Christina Brosnan
Planning a wedding takes time, especially a destination wedding. Give yourselves as much time as possible to make sure you have everything covered. An ideal time to start would be 18 months before your big day, but having at least a year to play with is advised.
After finalising your location and venue, the next steps will be to choose your style and vendors to bring your vision to life. We highly recommend working with a wedding planner on the ground who has relationships with the best local suppliers. It takes any worry from your plate so you can enjoy the excitement of this time.
Photographer: Under the Veil Weddings
Photographer: Dermot Culhane
3. Do Give Guests Enough Notice.
Photographers: Wonder and Magic.ie & Claire Studio Brown
With a destination wedding, it’s important to give your guests plenty of notice. They’ll need to make travel arrangements, possibly book time away from work or arrange childcare. The more time they have, the better. Start by sending a Save the Date so they can be prepared and enjoy the lead up too!
A great way to keep your guests informed is by creating a wedding website where you can share all the details of your wedding day. Include a link in your Save the Dates so they can easily access it. Having a wedding website is a simple and sustainable way to share travel and accommodation information as well as a schedule of events and activities your guests can do nearby. You can also use your wedding website to collect RSVPs so you have a clear understanding of your final numbers.
Photographer: Claire Studio Brown
4. Don’t Forget the Legalities.
Photographer: Amy Zumwalt
The legalities of getting married can differ between countries. Ensure you understand the legal requirements of the country you’re travelling to early on in your planning process.
For example, in Ireland, you will need to factor in some time for a face-to-face meeting with the registrar as part of the marriage process. With a wedding planner by your side, we can advise on all of the legal requirements so you don’t miss anything.
Photographer: Under the Veil Weddings
5. Do Work with a Wedding Planner.
Photographer: Claire Studio Brown
As exciting as planning a wedding is, it can become overwhelming at times, especially when planning from overseas. By working with a wedding planner you have local knowledge, feet on the ground and connections to the best local vendors.
At Dream Irish Wedding we have over 20 years of experience planning unforgettable destination weddings in Ireland. Contacting us from the start means we can help you choose your dream location, advise on legal requirements, navigate your budget and provide you with an expert on-the-ground partnership to bring your dream wedding day together.
Photographers: Wonder and Magic.ie & Claire Studio Brown
Photographer: Studio Lordan
6. Don’t Forget to Have Fun!
Photographer: Nicola Webster
This one is important. There will be so much planning and organising happening in the run-up to your wedding it’s easy to get carried away. This will be one of the biggest and happiest days of your life. You will want to remember everything about it.
Take time to soak it all in and stop to remember the love and support that brought you both to this moment. Your friends and family will travel and make the effort for you and as your wedding planner, we will take care of every detail, so all you need to do is turn up and enjoy every second!
Photographer: Studio Lordan
Photographers: Wonder and Magic.ie & Claire Studio Brown.
Photographer: Elaine Barker
Conclusion.
There is a lot to consider when planning a Destination Wedding in Ireland. By keeping these simple do’s and don’ts in mind, you’re setting yourself up for a truly magical experience. Ireland has the most breathtaking venues and scenery. With Dream Irish Wedding by your side, we’ll make sure you have the most talented local vendors so you can relax and enjoy the celebrations!
For more information take a look at our previous blogs to help you on your wedding planning journey.