Just by chance we here at One Fab Day have featured some truly stunning destination weddings in the last couple of weeks, so we thought it was the perfect time to help out all you brides and grooms out there dreaming of some sunshine and packing your bags to have your wedding abroad, with a quick guide to Destination Wedding Planning.

A few things to think about before you embark on planning a wedding abroad:

• Most of the time, the wisest decision you will make is to hire a wedding planner from the outset. There are so many benefits - from overcoming any language and cultural barriers to sourcing local suppliers at the best prices, a wedding planner for a wedding abroad should be given some serious consideration. But a word of advice, take care to find out about the "hidden costs" before you sign up to anything - some planners charge a percentage on EVERYTHING they organise for you (including suppliers, flowers, music etc) which I don't really agree with. Having a planner on the whole should save you time and money so choose your planner carefully.
• That said, you can still plan a wedding abroad without a planner.  I'm not going to lie, destination wedding planning is stressful, so the key is to have a great venue that will help you with your plans and maybe some available time (and €€€) to travel to the destination a couple of times to meet suppliers or to make sure you are happy with how all the plans are going. It also helps if the people you are dealing with are happy to speak English (unless your leaving cert French or Spanish is up to scratch!).

• Legalities - different European countries have different rules for having a legal marriage ceremony. In some countries it is straightforward but with others you may have to get civilly married in Ireland before you go.  Make sure to check it out for the particular country you decide on before you embark on too much planning.
• Think about accessibility for family and friends. If you really want your 98 year old Granny to make your wedding day, it's unlikely she'll be able to hop on a Ryanair flight to Malta.  Also be sure to check the regularity of flights from airports in Ireland and the distance at the other end to the venue before you make a decision.  Unfortunately having your guests travel for hours and hours after a flight may not be appreciated, even if the venue is out of this world.
• Ash clouds and snow! Enough said! There are always risks - but taking out wedding insurance can somewhat alleviate this concern. Be sure to discuss your plans with the insurer to make sure you have cover for these types of acts of god (cover can be obtained but you may have to plan to be at the wedding destination at least 3 days before the wedding).

• Priests - they can sometimes be a cranky bunch! In some countries the local priest will marry you but sometimes you have to bring your own priest so it's a good time to get back in touch with that old papal family friend!
• If you are going to plan the wedding yourself, it can be a lot more difficult to find suppliers, particularly photographers, that you like. Bear in mind the cost of bringing over a photographer, hairdresser or make-up artist.
• In lots of venues abroad it can be necessary to pay for all of the alcohol for the entire day. Usually the alcohol is much cheaper than in Ireland, but do take it into account when thinking about your budget.

• Last but not least, the wedding dress! It might need a whole plane seat all for itself...and might be a ball of wrinkles when you get there! You've been warned!

These are just a few things to consider and we would love to hear from you with any of your top tips for destination wedding planning. Check our our destination wedding planners to find someone to help plan your dream day abroad.

 Image Credits:

Couple with suitcase via le love image blogspot | Wedding Signs - Brooke Images via Southern Weddings | Couple in outdoor ceremony - Jose Villa Photographer via  Style Me Pretty | Couple with luggage - SMS Photography  via A Paper Proposal | Travel themed stationary - Nothing But Bonfires | Bride luggage tag - Karen Wise via Style Me Pretty | Couple with map - Celeste Duran Photography via Wedding Chicks | Couple embracing in the street - Pretty Days Photography via One Fab Day| Wedding table Decor - Awake Your Soul Photography via One Fab Day