This weekend I’m in Mykonos, Greece for a gorgeous destination wedding. Awesome! It’s a destination wedding photographer’s dream. All those white washed buildings, and the blue waters of the Mediterranean. What more could you ask for?
Without exception each destination wedding that I’ve photographed has been romantic, fun and beautiful. And, I’m going to share with you why that is, and what you can do to make the most of your own destination wedding……….
Pick a Perfect Destination
Wherever you choose to have your destination wedding, you want it to be meaningful to you. So, do you love the Mediterranean? Or, do you prefer the big skies of the African plains? The destination that you choose should reflect your own style, and your passions. After all, a perfect destination wedding in Tuscany might not be perfect for you. Particularly if you prefer a laid back beach wedding!
Perfect Destination Wedding Planning
Many couples opt for the help of a wedding planner to help them plan a perfect destination wedding. A wise choice! Even if you know your location well, planning a wedding from a distance can be time consuming. So, whether you use a wedding planner or not, these are some of the essentials to consider:
The Travel:
Make sure that you minimise stress from travel for you and your guests. So, think about how you and your guests will get to your destination wedding venue. A desert wedding in Morocco may be romantic. But, if you have to trek two hours in a 4 x 4 on the day, is that what you want for you and your guests?
The Timing:
From the time of year to the time of day that you have your ceremony, it’s all important. Tropical beach wedding? Best not to go in tornado season. Don’t want your guests to wilt in the heat? Hold your ceremony early evening when it starts to cool.
The Suppliers:
Great destination wedding planning means choosing suppliers with care. Choose by matching suppliers availability and style against what you want for your day. If that means having a mix of suppliers brought from home and local, that’s fine.
Gorgeous destination wedding photography
You want gorgeous wedding photographs, that’s a given. Planners may have their own photographers that they work with. I work with destination wedding planners. And, couples also book direct with me. Whoever you choose as your destination wedding photographer here’s how to get beautiful photographs:
Make sure that they arrive in plenty of time. If they’re coming in from overseas, build in time for delays. I arrive at least a day before the wedding.
Check with the venue and the officiant for any photography restrictions. Let your photographer know!
Remember to discuss with your photographer the plans and timings for your day. Essential to be in the right place at the right time!
Talk to your photographer about where they think the best light will be at different times of the day. From sunlight to sunset, light helps to create mood and emotion. For example, early evening is perfect for a romantic photo shoot. The light starts to soften and magnifies colours. It is a beautiful time of day.
And finally, look at your chosen photographer’s portfolio. Have they photographed destination weddings before? If they haven’t it may not be a deal breaker but look at how they work. How do they photograph in different weathers? How will they cope working in extremes of temperature? Will they be able to get to the venue OK?
Planning a destination wedding? Hop over to our destination wedding venue page for inspiration. Or take a look at an Italian destination wedding. Want to take us with you for your day? Get in touch at hello@scott-wood.uk and check availability.