European Destination Wedding Planning Guide on Magnolia Rouge

Dreaming of planning your destination wedding in Europe but unsure where to start? Today, I am sharing my very best tips and recommendations with Magnolia Rouge in my Europe Destination Wedding Guide. Scroll down and visit Magnolia Rouge for the full story!

Planning your destination wedding in Europe? Be sure to check out my Europe Destination Wedding Guide and contact me!

Europe Destination Wedding Guide | Luxury Destination Wedding Planning Advice | Molly Carr Photography | Chateau Bouffemont Paris France

Looking back on my own wedding, I can confidently say that having a destination wedding was one of the best decisions that my husband and I ever made. The intimate size, the beautiful venue, the opportunity to spend nearly a week celebrating with our closest friends and family – it was truly an experience that we will cherish for the rest of our lives.

If you are considering planning a destination wedding in Europe, you know that the initial process can seem a little overwhelming. There is virtually an endless array of stunning, historic, one-of-a-kind venues, and it can often be difficult to even know where to start. With the right vendor team in place, it’s actually so much easier than you could even imagine, and my Guide to Planning a Destination Wedding in Europe will help you navigate the process.

Europe Destination Wedding Guide | Luxury Destination Wedding Planning Advice | Molly Carr Photography | Mount Juliet Estate Ireland

CONSIDER LOCATION. Do you feel the most like yourselves when you’re attending a black-tie gala in the city? When you’re having a Michelin-starred meal paired with gorgeous French wines? Or perhaps you both share a passion for classic literature and dream of visiting the sprawling English estates of the Brontë sisters’ novels. Think about what connects you as a couple and what destination wedding locations will most reflect that. Once you have an idea of what kind of wedding you are envisioning…

Europe Destination Wedding Guide | Luxury Destination Wedding Planning Advice | Molly Carr Photography | Chateau de Villette

HIRE A WEDDING PLANNER. I strongly encourage all of my brides to hire a wedding planner, but when planning a destination wedding in Europe it is absolutely essential. There are fantastic planners who specialize in destination weddings abroad that will be able to help you navigate the process every single step of the way. They will be able to help you find your dream wedding venue and often have access to exclusive properties that one simply can’t find with internet research. They will be able to bring together an amazing vendor team that will perfectly create your dream day – all within your budget. And, they will be able to manage the cultural and language complications that often come along with planning a destination wedding in Europe so that you don’t have to. Most importantly, come your wedding week, they will handle every single thing so that you and your family are able to enjoy every moment of your celebration in one of the most beautiful places on the planet.

Europe Destination Wedding Guide | Luxury Destination Wedding Planning Advice | Molly Carr Photography | Santorini Elopement

SELECT A VENUE. Once you have an idea of your budget and your style, your planner can help you find the perfect destination wedding venue. From pastel-hued French châteaux to ancient Italian villas to chic seaside estates to grand Parisian salons, Europe is home to some of the most elegant historic properties that will truly give your guests a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Europe Destination Wedding Guide | Luxury Destination Wedding Planning Advice | Molly Carr Photography | Villa Cetinale

HIRE YOUR VENDOR TEAM. Your wedding planner will be able to recommend you the most talented and professional vendors that will be able to create your dream wedding on your budget. I recommend leaning heavily on your planner for this and taking their advice – they know best!

Europe Destination Wedding Guide | Luxury Destination Wedding Planning Advice | Molly Carr Photography | Chateau du Grand-Luce

TELL YOUR GUESTS. Because destination weddings require a large amount of travel time and coordination, I always recommend sending save the dates to your guests as soon as you finalize the details. This will give them time to plan their trip and schedule any vacation requests with their work.

Europe Destination Wedding Guide | Luxury Destination Wedding Planning Advice | Molly Carr Photography | Paris Wedding

HIRE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER. When you first get engaged, spend some time looking through your Pinterest boards, wedding magazines, and blogs to see what kind of images speak to you. Share this with your wedding planner, and as soon as your date and venue are finalized, reach out to a few photographers whose aesthetic, style, and voice resonates with you, and set-up time to talk with them on Skype. As a destination wedding photographer, I can speak from experience that you want someone who you connect with on a personal level – as being comfortable with your photographer ensures that your real connection will be able to shine through in the images. Ultimately, I always recommend hiring a destination wedding photographer when having a wedding abroad. Photographers can booked 12-18 months in advance, so don’t hesitate on this one! And, if you have any questions about hiring a destination wedding photographer in Europe, feel free to contact me!

Europe Destination Wedding Guide | Luxury Destination Wedding Planning Advice | Molly Carr Photography

BOOK YOUR TRAVEL. Once the main wedding details have been finalized, decide how long you will want to spend at your wedding destination. I recommend a minimum of a week to not only give you time to acclimate to the time change but to rest, relax, and enjoy your beautiful destination with your friends and family. Also, consider your honeymoon and if you will be leaving immediately following your wedding.

Europe Destination Wedding Guide | Luxury Destination Wedding Planning Advice | Molly Carr Photography | Boca Grande Wedding

PLAN ADDITIONAL EVENTS. One of the best parts about planning a destination wedding in Europe is that it offers you the opportunity to essentially go on a vacation with your nearest and dearest. Take full advantage of your destination and plan additional events that will allow you to spend time with your guests enjoying the beauty and history of your region. Visiting a nearby château, touring a vineyard, hiring a guide to show you the secrets of your city, chartering a sailboat, having a chef come and make you a special meal, planning a welcome cocktail party for your guests to get to know each other – the possibilities are endless!

Europe Destination Wedding Guide | Luxury Destination Wedding Planning Advice | Molly Carr Photography | Santorini Wedding

BE PRESENT. There are so many moving pieces to a destination wedding, and I recommend starting to plan out everything that you need to bring several months before the actual date. This will give you time to assess your wardrobe and see what works and what you need to purchase – especially if you will be leaving immediately following your wedding for your honeymoon. Also, write down all of the wedding necessities (rings, wedding attire, special family heirlooms, bridal party gifts, letters to each other, etc.) to make sure that nothing gets forgotten. There are several good packing lists available online to act as a jumping off point.

Europe Destination Wedding Guide | Luxury Destination Wedding Planning Advice | Molly Carr Photography | Chateau du Grand-Luce

START PACKING (EARLY). When you arrive to your wedding destination in Europe, allow yourself to let go of the to-do lists, the endless details, and to truly just soak up the moments as they unfold. Your wedding planner will handle all of the coordination, so give yourself the gift of being present. You are in one of the most beautiful places in the world, with the people who mean the most to you, about to marry the love of your life. Take a deep breath and allow yourself to truly savor each and every moment of this once-in-a-lifetime experience!

A big thank you to Magnolia Rouge for featuring my Europe Destination Wedding Guide! Interested in learning more? Contact me to book your wedding date!

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                                       I can't wait to learn more about your love story!

After pursuing my degree in fashion, I began my career as a travel photographer, exploring the world one country at a time and telling the stories of the people, places, art, and ideas that moved me. But, it was when I photographed my first destination wedding that I truly found my life’s calling.

My work is luminous, poetic, elegant, and above all, intentional. It will be my deepest honor to guide you through the wedding planning process, to help you create unforgettable moments and experiences, and, ultimately, to craft images where time stands still.

I'm Molly - an international wedding photographer eternally devoted to capturing the beauty of your union. 

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Old-world elegance with a hint of that French ‘je ne sais quois.’

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