A couple of months ago, I had the opportunity to photograph a destination elopement in the UK. It was one of those days that reminded me why I love destination weddings so much.
The day began with a slow, peaceful morning getting ready together at Frampton Court, followed by their ceremony on the cliffs overlooking the sea, where the sound of the waves and the dramatic Welsh coastline created the perfect backdrop for exchanging vows.
After the ceremony, the rest of the day was spent exploring the beaches, picking up their favorite food, and wandering through the charming nearby towns.
Rather than following a packed timeline, they gave themselves the space to experience the day intentionally, celebrating their love exactly the way they wanted.
As a destination wedding photographer, I’ve learned that the most memorable celebrations are the ones that feel true to the couple.
From choosing the right setting to creating space for genuine moments, here are a few ways to make your destination wedding more intentional and meaningful.
Choose the experience before the destination
One of the biggest mistakes couples make is choosing their destination wedding before thinking about how they want their wedding day to feel.
Instead of asking Where should we get married?, ask How do we want our wedding day to feel?
- Do we want complete privacy, or celebrate surrounded by family and friends?
- What experience would feel the most “us”?
- Do we want a wedding that feels intimate and relaxed, elegant and refined, or completely unique?
- What kind of atmosphere do we want to remember when we look back on our wedding day?
Once you know the feeling you’re after, choosing the destination becomes much easier.
Create Space to Soak It All In
One of the greatest luxuries of getting married abroad is that you’re not just celebrating your marriage, you’re creating an experience you’ll treasure forever.
Build your timeline with room to slow down, wander together, watch the sunset, or simply pause and appreciate the beauty of where you are.
Years from now, you may not remember every detail of the schedule, but you’ll remember how that place made you feel.
Giving yourselves more time than you think you’ll need opens up the space to fully soak it all in. That’s what transforms a beautiful destination wedding into an unforgettable memory.
Think Beyond the Wedding Day
One of the best things about a destination wedding is that the celebration doesn’t have to happen in a single day.
Make a weekend of it with a welcome dinner, a ceremony, and a relaxed day together afterward.
A multi-day celebration gives you more opportunities to spend time with the people you love and experience the destination together, without trying to fit everything into one timeline.
Choose Vendors You Truly Connect With
Choose someone whose work you love, but also someone you genuinely enjoy spending time with.
Your photographer isn’t just documenting your wedding, they’re with you for much of the day, helping guide the experience, adapting when plans change, and finding beautiful light in unfamiliar places.
Planning a wedding abroad also comes with extra logistics, so having an experienced team you trust means you can focus on being present and enjoying the experience.
Why I Love Photographing Destination Weddings
Every destination is different, but the reason I love photographing weddings abroad never changes.
It’s not just about beautiful landscapes.
It’s about slowing down, creating space for genuine moments, and celebrating your relationship in a way that feels authentic and reflects who you are, rather than following expectations.
Whether you’re planning a destination elopement in Europe or a wedding celebration somewhere completely unique, I’d love to help document your story with photographs that feel honest, timeless, and completely your own, lets chat!
