September 18, 2024
Destination Wedding
· Wedding Planner Cincinnati
10 Tips for a Wedding in Europe
You keep seeing stunning pictures of castles, fincas and chalets on your Social Media and keep wondering: Where do I find locations like this? A quick Google search later and you realise they are all in Europe. Of course, the US also has stunning venues but getting married in an authentic castle or a villa in Tuscany overlooking the Italian countryside simply hits different. If you are in this situation and are thinking about a wedding in Europe, keep on reading because I have got some advice for you!
10 tips for a wedding in europe
Destination Weddings feel extra special because you usually stay at that location for multiple days.
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1) Europe is not one place. Keep in mind that it consists of different countries and cultures which each have their own quirks. If you are reaching out to venues in different countries, expect them to have their own set of rules.
2) When you think of Destination Wedding you might think of Italy or France immediately. However, if you go north, you will find the most gorgeous places in Germany, the UK, the Netherlands or elsewhere. Just look at Drumtochty Castle in Scotland or Schlosshotel Kronberg in Germany for example.
3) Language is key! When it comes to communicating with venues and other vendors, choose a destination that you can communicate with easily. Whether that be choosing a wedding planner that speaks the language or speaking it yourself – this is all up to you. Most people in the wedding industry will speak English but there are some who might not.
10 tips for a wedding in europe
4) Expect people to be different to you. Like I said, every country in Europe is different, however there are some general differences to the US that I have noticed. Vendors tend to be slower when it comes to responding to emails. They will take their time to answer you personally and detailed and will get back to you with all the information they have. Although it might be irritating at first, they have your best interest at heart.
5) Think of the climate/weather in the specific area you want to get married in. This might vary greatly to what you are used to and you might have to think of things like parasols for the guests or maybe keep an umbrella or two in the backroom just in case it rains. In general, the summer time (July-September) is a great period to have a wedding in Europe at any place although the Southern parts can get very hot during that time. If you are used to that, go for it, otherwise opt for out of season dates.
6) Have a heart to heart with yourself and your partner when deciding on a budget. Weddings in Europe can be cheaper compared to the US but factor in plane tickets, a prolonged stay at the location and whether you want to pay for your guests‘ accomodation or travel or not. Some guests might have to decline because they co not want to or cannot pay for the costs that a destination wedding entails.
10 tips for a wedding in europe
7) Think about how and where you want to be married legally. Although you can absolutely do that in the country of your choice, it might be more expensive and can come with a ton of bureaucracy. It might be easier to have a civil wedding before your big one in your home state.
8) Don’t worry about the food because the cuisine in Europe is excellent. I might be slightly biased but you will not get better food anywhere else. It is all very different from country to country but you will have the best meals of your life regardless. Keep in mind that less sugar and fat is used and most of the time food is cooked from scratch, so you might be experiencing qualities of food that you did not think were possible beforehand!
9) Incorporate things that are traditional to your country of choice. Whether that means picking out certain foods, providing specific activities for your guests or even including wedding traditions in your ceremony or reception, is totally up to you. It is always nice to see the host country honoured in some type of way so I would highly encourage you to look into it.
10) Last but not least: DO IT! Europe is GORGEOUS and has wonderful places to explore. If you need something else to convince you, why not book your honeymoon there as well? A roadtrip through Italy or a relaxed vacation in Greece – your flights are already payed for and you can be anywhere in less than 4 hours (by plane).
If you want to know more about Europe or about having a wedding there, contact me so we can chat about anything wedding related.