Thinking About a Destination Wedding? Here's What Nobody Tells You
2025-12-17

Most couples experience that moment on holiday: you're somewhere breathtaking, somewhere that feels impossibly romantic, and suddenly you're mentally rearranging your wedding plans to match the view in front of you. That coastal clifftop in Santorini, that garden villa in Tuscany, that private island in the Maldives. It's easy to fall in love with a location when you're there on vacation, but planning your actual wedding around it requires a completely different kind of thinking. The logistics, the legalities, the practicalities of getting your loved ones there and making sure everything goes smoothly, it's a lot more involved than booking a holiday cottage and hoping for good weather.

Still, destination weddings have this undeniable appeal. They offer something you can't quite replicate in Singapore: a sense of occasion that feels genuinely once-in-a-lifetime. 

But before you commit to saying your vows under a canopy of Italian cypress trees or on a beach in Thailand, there are some serious questions you need to ask yourself.

Can You Actually Get Married There?

So, here’s the thing about getting legally married overseas: it's rarely as simple as showing up with your passports and saying "I do." Different countries have wildly different requirements, and some make the process surprisingly complicated for foreigners.

Take France, for instance. It's one of the most romantic destinations you could imagine, but you'll need to establish residency in the area where you want to marry for at least 40 days before your wedding date. That's not a weekend trip. You're committing to over a month abroad, which isn't realistic for most working couples.

Italy's slightly more forgiving, but you'll still need to submit documents weeks in advance, have certain paperwork translated into Italian by official translators, and potentially deal with regional variations depending on which comune (municipality) you're marrying in. Greece requires a Certificate of No Impediment, which needs to be issued by the Singapore embassy, apostilled, and then translated. Spain wants you to apply for a marital capacity certificate and have it processed through their consulate in Singapore before you even set foot in the country.

Some couples sidestep this entirely by having a legal ceremony in Singapore and treating the overseas event as a symbolic celebration. But if you're set on making it legally binding abroad, budget time for research and paperwork. Potentially lots of paperwork.

How Much Will Getting Everyone There Actually Cost?

This is where destination weddings get tricky, because you're asking people to spend money on flights, accommodation, and potentially time off work. Your guest list will almost certainly shrink, which might be what you want. Smaller, more intimate celebrations have their own charm. But you need to think carefully about who you're willing to risk losing from the day.

Some guests won't be able to afford it. Some won't be able to get leave approved. Some just won't fancy the travel, especially if it involves long-haul flights or multiple connections. You might find that elderly relatives or friends with young children bow out, not because they don't care, but because the logistics are too much.

One way to soften the blow is by giving people plenty of notice. Twelve months minimum, ideally more. That gives everyone time to save, book leave, and plan around it.

You could also consider hosting a smaller celebration in Singapore afterwards for those who couldn't make the trip. 

Travel costs for you as a couple will add up too. You might need to make multiple trips: one for venue scouting, another for meetings with vendors, possibly a third for legal formalities. 

And then there's the wedding itself, plus your honeymoon if you're staying on. Factor in accommodation, meals, transport, and suddenly your budget looks very different from what it would have been for a local wedding.

What About Your Guests' Accommodation?

If you're asking people to travel for your wedding, you need to think about where they'll stay. Some couples negotiate group rates with nearby hotels or resorts, which makes things easier for guests and often secures you a discounted rate or complimentary room. Others suggest a mix of options at different price points, so people can choose what suits their budget.

Communication is key here. If possible, do always try to communicate details about airport transfers, car hire, or public transport options. The more organised you are, the less stressed your guests will be.

Think about timing too. If you're expecting people to fly long distances, consider making it a weekend event rather than a single-day celebration. A welcome dinner the night before, the wedding itself, and a casual brunch the next day gives everyone a reason to justify the travel costs and turns the whole experience into a mini holiday.

Whew, That Sounds Like a Lot of Work; Is It Worth It?

Destination weddings are more work. There's no getting around that. You're coordinating across time zones, dealing with unfamiliar legal systems, managing vendors you can't easily meet, and so on. But for many couples, the payoff is worth it.

Our advice? Just go in with your eyes open. Know what you're signing up for, plan thoroughly, and don't underestimate the value of professional help. A good wedding planner, a reliable photographer, vendors who understand what you want, these people will make or break your experience.

If you've found yourselves mentally planning your wedding every time you visit somewhere beautiful, maybe that's a sign. Maybe it's worth the extra effort, the additional costs, the logistical puzzles. Or maybe it's just a lovely daydream, and you'll realise you'd rather keep things simple and celebrate closer to home.

Either way, take your time deciding. This isn't a choice you want to rush.

Planning a wedding, whether at home or abroad, means finding the right vendors and inspiration to bring your vision to life. Discover everything you need at BOWS (Blissful One-Stop Wedding Show), our tri-annual wedding showcase, featuring over 70 vendors and exclusive event deals. RSVP now at www.bows.sg and stay inspired with the latest wedding tips and trends at www.blissfulbrides.sg.