Capturing the Destination: Tips for Destination Weddings and Elopements

Destination weddings are a dream come true for many couples. The allure of exotic locations, beautiful scenery, and a sense of being adventurous and traveling to new place make destination weddings an unforgettable experience.

Here are some tips for destination weddings related to your wedding photography:

Hire a Local Wedding Planner: A local wedding planner can be a lifesaver when it comes to planning a destination wedding. They can help you navigate the local laws and customs, recommend must see spots, coordinate with your photographer, and handle the details that you might not be able to do from afar.

Consider the lighting and location: One of the best things about destination weddings is the beautiful scenery. Use this to your advantage and incorporate the surroundings into your photos. Whether it's the beach, the mountains, or a historic building, make sure to capture the essence of the location. Different locations have different lighting conditions, and it's important to be prepared for this. At some point, you’ve probably created a Pinterest board of what you want your photos to look like in your lovely location. Perhaps you dream of a perfectly lit Eiffel Tower with no tourists around, or a sunset cruise on Lake Como. Know that depending on the time of day and location, your photos may not look exactly like your Pinterest vision. But the great thing is, you can trust your photographer to place you in the best scenario possible in order to get the most out of your photos and the amazing scenery you’re sure to find.

Plan ahead but still be flexible: Destination weddings can be unpredictable, so it's important to plan ahead as much as possible but also be prepared to be flexible. Talk to your photographer about the best times of day for photos, and plan your wedding schedule accordingly. Make sure to also consider any travel or logistical challenges that may arise.

Consider adding a pre- or post-wedding lifestyle/honeymoon session: This is a fun way to capture more photos and memories at your special destination that aren’t strictly for the wedding. It can be hard to capture the quality of photos you want when you’re on your own, and your photographer following along with you on some excursions is sure to make you feel like a celebrity couple! You can have timeless images from a once-in-a-lifetime trip to look back on forever .

Have fun: Most importantly, have fun! Your destination wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and it's important to let yourself relax and enjoy every moment.

Not only do I love traveling, I love the feeling that comes along with a destination wedding. There’s something so intimate and magical about having one of the best days of your life in a place you’ve always wanted to visit, or that holds a special meaning to you as a couple. As a photographer, I want to bottle up those feelings for you and save the moment forever through raw, authentic images. Whether the beach, mountains, or next to the Trevi Fountain, I’d love to work with you to tell your incredible love story wherever it takes you!