Dreaming of exchanging vows on a cliffside in Greece, barefoot on a beach in Tulum, or beneath cherry blossoms in Kyoto? Destination weddings are an undeniably romantic experience for you and your loved ones. Yes, you will have a richer version of what a local wedding offers and so many memory dividends that it will make it all worth it — but planning one comes with a new layer of complexity. As a husband-and-wife photography and filmmaking team who’ve captured weddings worldwide over the last 15 years, we’re here to guide you through it. These five insights will help protect your memories, avoid surprises, and make the most of your wedding abroad.

 

1. Planner First, Then Everything Else.

Before you hire any vendor, securing a planner should be your top priority. This is not just a smart decision, but also a cost-efficient one. Bringing a planner from your home country with experience in your dream location is the way to go. The planner will have an arsenal of resources and a network that is very difficult to replicate, giving you peace of mind and confidence in your wedding planning journey.

Then, it will be time to think about the crew who will preserve your memories. When considering your photographer and videographer, hiring the team in your home country, in this case, the U.S., is a smart move; why? You’ll have a contract governed by U.S. law, clear communication, and full transparency in handling your memories. Bringing your team means consistent quality, creative synergy, and someone who already understands your story — a relationship built before the wedding day. Budget-wise, sometimes it might be a higher investment, but how much do your memories and peace of mind cost?

Pro tip: Ask your photo and video teams for quotes, including travel expenses and possible extra hours of coverage.

2. Contracts & Legal Realities Matter

Every destination has its own laws. Some countries require work permits for foreign vendors, others restrict drone use, and some venues charge extra for outside creatives. Before signing anything, ask your planner about restrictions — and share this information with your photo and video team. If they are experienced, they will be able to handle their permits, insurance, and local compliance.

In our case, we love the best of both worlds: the security of the U.S. jurisdiction and the knowledge of local resources. We count on an extensive and trusted network of professionals who will be able to assist us in the location you choose for your dream wedding. This allows us to source local equipment and travel lighter while also counting on a professional to help us communicate and navigate locally.

Pro tip: Double-check if your team’s contract protects you under your home state’s laws—especially if there’s ever a dispute or delivery delay.

 

3. Logistics Are Everything

A smooth experience starts with smart travel planning and timelines! Did you know that in some countries, planners and wedding professionals don’t use timelines as part of their culture? We come from one of those. If that’s your vibe, great! Just be aware of that in advance.

Seasoned teams (like us!) build in buffer days to arrive early, scout, and avoid last-minute travel issues. We pack equipment as carry-on (Paris’ airport CDG can be a nightmare with this), split backups across hard drives, and download your footage the same night. Ideally, we would upload the content to the cloud if we have high-speed internet.

For multi-day destination weddings, coverage time is usually extended. To ensure that you have only pleasant surprises, ask your team about the alignment between the contracted coverage time and the events’ schedule.

Pro tip: Ask your team how they handle backups, travel insurance, and transportation — their answer should reassure you that they’ve done this before and are prepared for anything.

4. Trust the Light, Trust the Locals

Each destination comes with quirks — light changes fast in Iceland, humidity fogs len

ses in Cuba, and European cities may require permits. The best photo and video teams research these factors, adapt on the fly, and bring flexibility into every shot. We once reworked an entire timeline around a last-minute rainstorm in Scotland — and those portraits under a cozy greenhouse? Some of the couple’s favorites. Let your team guide you around weather, lighting, and local nuances for the best results.

 

 

Once, a couple from Florida wanted to get married in more predictable weather, so they chose the sunny farmland of Charleston, SC. Little did they know there was a tropical storm as a last-minute wedding guest, like those who don’t RSVP. The result? We all embraced the rainy vibe and the power outage, juxtaposing it with the film’s narrative. It might have been raining, but that didn’t stop them from dancing and singing all night.

Pro tip: Embrace the spice and pleasant surprises that the location and the moment have to offer.

5. Collaborate Early, Communicate Often

Think of your photo and video team as collaborators, not just vendors. Once your wedding team is together, they should become one: planner, florist, venue, decor, catering, media, fashion, etc.

You chose them for a good reason, trust your decision.

Your planner will loop them in as soon as you have made your choices and overall schedule—rehearsal dinners, excursions, and brunches can be just as meaningful as the ceremony. The more we know in advance, the more seamless the coverage. And yes, we might recommend a 6 a.m. portrait session to catch the golden hour before tourists arrive. Trust us—you’ll thank us when you see the results.

Pro tip: Ask your planner about the final timeline and coverage hours of your photo and video team.

 

In the end, it’s not just about the destination or the decor but the moments—planned and unplanned—that weave together to tell your unique love story.

 

Keep it awesome!

 

The Drakes