Perfect for the travel bugs, the visionaries and the well-organised, destination weddings are an appealing option when it comes to picking a location for your wedding. Whether you want to revisit the small-town where your significant other proposed or say ‘I do’ in a country you’ve been wander lusting over for years, destination weddings can be a lot of fun for both you and your guests, with celebrations lasting long after, and long before, a typical ‘day only’ event.

No Place I’d Rather Be

So you’ve decided that you and your partner want a destination wedding. The next part – what is the destination? Often couples will have a specific place in mind, but if all you know is that you want  your wedding to be an expedition to somewhere unknown, there are many things to consider when helping determine where that ‘somewhere’ is.

Perhaps you want to be reminiscent and go back to the place where you and your bride- or groom-to-be first holidayed together. Maybe you’ve always loved the beach and want to have your nuptials at a tropical paradise. It’s common for couples to return to the country in which they were born or where their extended family lives, a fantastic way to embrace their culture and include it in the celebrations. Whatever you choose, the more your destination reflects who you are as individuals and a couple, the more you’ll feel at home – while you’re far from it!

“For us [at Samphire Rottnest], we have a lot of natural landscaping, so there’s lots of beautiful opportunities and styling to take into consideration with the outdoor venue, and with photos of the destination,” Dawes says. “Our advice would be to make use of the beautiful colour schemes and incorporate that into the planning and styling, with the images looking beautiful against the ocean. Use the natural locations to your advantage!” Moving away from the hustle and bustle of the city, destination weddings are a chance to take in new and breathtaking sites, alongside your wedding party. For Samphire Rottnest, a typical destination wedding could include the likes of trips on boats, island activities amongst friends, hotel suites to relax in and even bespoke cocktail and beverage packages. “There really isn’t anything like it in WA,” Dawes agrees.

Best-Laid Plans

Weddings are often large events that require vigorous planning and coordination to run smoothly, particularly weddings that have additional travel and accommodation arrangements, which will naturally need a larger budget for expenses. While you might be tempted to organise everything yourself, the most common advice is to hire a wedding planner. Even better, find one who operates in the town, city or country you’ve chosen to hold your wedding, as they’ll have a confident knowledge of the area.

If you’re lucky and do the right research, you might even find a venue that organises everything for you. “We have a team of really experienced wedding managers and event coordinators to make sure all the details and logistics and covered,” Dawes explains. “The manager of the day will take care of it all, and [the team] also directly liaise with suppliers so it’s a completely carefree experience for the bride.

While it might be a little more difficult with travel costs and time, make a few trips to your chosen destination before the big day, to gauge the venue before you secure a booking and to check out the surrounding attractions. Just as you would with a wedding closer to home, you’ll want to meet with all your vendors too, to ensure everyone is on the same page, shares your vision, and can help make your wedding an unforgettable experience.

Most importantly, let your guests know in advance. Send out your save-the-dates at least eight months prior as a courtesy, giving everyone ample time to book flights and accommodation before prices rise. Keep in mind some friends and family may not be in the right financial position or have the time for a trip and might decline the invitation.

That’s not to say you can’t have a big wedding with lots of guests, if that’s what you desire – whatever is to your liking. “At Samphire we do both – intimate weddings for up to ten people, even just the couple if they prefer, right up to super large scale weddings. We have facilities for both intimate weddings, to large scale weddings, and everything in between.”