How to Get Married Abroad: Destination Wedding Guide

How to Get Married Abroad: Destination Wedding Guide

A wedding abroad is an exciting and unforgettable way to celebrate your love story. Whether it’s a sun‑soaked ceremony in Santorini, a clifftop vow exchange in Italy, a beach wedding in Portugal, or a romantic elopement in France, destination weddings have become increasingly popular for UK couples—especially those in the South West counties of Somerset, Devon, Cornwall and Dorset. With breathtaking venues, warm climates, and stunning scenery, destination weddings often cost less than a traditional UK wedding while offering a once‑in‑a‑lifetime experience.

But planning a wedding overseas comes with questions: legal requirements, travel logistics, hiring suppliers, budgeting, and ensuring your wedding day is captured beautifully. This guide covers everything you need to know.

Why Choose a Destination Wedding?

Destination weddings offer a unique blend of intimacy, adventure, and luxury. Whether you’re dreaming of a coastal ceremony on the Amalfi Coast or a medieval villa in Tuscany, getting married abroad combines your wedding and honeymoon in one unforgettable experience.

Stunning Scenery for Your Wedding Film

Dramatic landscapes, crystal‑blue water, white sandy beaches, and historic architecture create the perfect backdrop for cinematic wedding videography. When paired with drone footage, your wedding film becomes visually spectacular.

Cost Savings

Many couples find that getting married abroad is more affordable than hosting a large UK wedding—especially if you opt for a smaller guest list.

A More Intimate Guest List

Destination weddings naturally attract close family and friends, reducing pressure and helping you focus on a meaningful celebration.

Legal Requirements for Getting Married Abroad

Before choosing a location, it’s essential to understand the legal process.

Most countries require:

• Passports valid for at least 6 months
• Birth certificates
• Certificates of No Impediment (CNI)
• Residency requirements (varies by country)
• Marriage license application

Popular Destination Legalities

Greece – Requires a CNI and documents translated into Greek.
Italy – Straightforward process; civil or church ceremonies available.
Cyprus – One of the simplest countries to marry legally abroad.
Spain – Often requires residency; symbolic ceremonies are common.

Tip: Many couples choose a UK legal ceremony followed by a symbolic ceremony abroad.

Choosing the Perfect Destination Wedding Location

Your destination sets the tone for your entire wedding. Consider the style, climate, accessibility, and the type of scenery you want in your wedding film.

Mediterranean Locations

• Italy – Elegant villas, clifftops, lakeside settings
• Greece – Iconic white buildings, ocean views
• Portugal – Algarve beaches, historic castles
• Malta – Golden stone architecture, dramatic sea views

Tropical Islands

• Bali
• Mauritius
• Seychelles
• Caribbean islands

These locations create warm, cinematic visuals—perfect for drone footage and sunset ceremonies.

UK‑Friendly Short‑Haul Destinations

For couples in Somerset, Devon, Cornwall and Dorset, airports like Bristol and Exeter offer flights to:

• France
• Italy
• Greece
• Spain
• Croatia
• Portugal

This minimises travel for guests and simplifies logistics.

Should You Bring Your Own UK Wedding Videographer?

The short answer: Yes—absolutely.

Consistency in Style and Quality

Many couples regret booking local videographers abroad because:

• Communication barriers cause misunderstandings
• Local styles differ from UK cinematic storytelling
• Editing quality varies drastically
• You cannot meet the team beforehand
• No guarantee of backup systems

Hiring Diamond Film Wedding Videography ensures you receive a consistent, premium, UK‑style cinematic film no matter where you marry.

Pre‑Wedding Consultations

Zoom calls, planning chats, venue walk‑throughs (if possible), and detailed timeline reviews are far easier with a UK‑based videographer.

South West Departure Convenience

With easy access to Bristol, Exeter, and Newquay airports, South West videographers can quickly travel worldwide.

Ability to Bring Professional Gear

UK videographers travel with:

• Drones
• Cinema cameras
• High‑end audio equipment
• Backup cameras
• Hard‑drive redundancy

You receive the same standard as a UK wedding—just in a spectacular international location.

Budgeting a Destination Wedding

Destination weddings vary widely in cost depending on your country and guest list.

Key Budget Areas

• Venue & ceremony fees
• Travel & accommodation
• UK videographer flights & hotel
• Food & drink
• Legal fees
• Excursions (popular with guests)
• Decor & styling
• Wedding dress transport
• Insurance

Couples often spend 20–40% less on a destination wedding compared to a traditional UK wedding for 80–120 guests.

Creating a Smooth Destination Wedding Timeline

Travel introduces logistical layers.

The Ideal Structure

• Day 1: Welcome dinner
• Day 2: Wedding day
• Day 3: Beach day / pool party / excursions
• Optional: Post‑wedding shoot (sunset or sunrise)

A next‑day shoot is perfect for drone footage and relaxed portraits.

Why Videography Is Essential for Destination Weddings

You’re choosing a location for its beauty—make sure it lives forever in motion.

Key Benefits

• Once‑in‑a‑lifetime scenery
• Drone views of beaches, cliffs & villas
• Emotional storytelling
• Capturing guests’ travel and celebrations
• A wedding film you’ll never stop watching

Destination weddings create moments worth preserving in cinema‑quality visuals.

Final Tips for a Perfect Wedding Abroad

• Visit your destination at least once
• Hire a local planner
• Bring a UK videographer you trust
• Plan travel early
• Coordinate guest accommodation
• Check the local climate
• Schedule sunset wisely
• Keep your ceremony short (heat!)

With planning, organisation, and the right wedding videographer, your destination wedding becomes a cinematic masterpiece.How to Get Married Abroad: Destination Wedding Guide

A wedding abroad is an exciting and unforgettable way to celebrate your love story. Whether it’s a sun‑soaked ceremony in Santorini, a clifftop vow exchange in Italy, a beach wedding in Portugal, or a romantic elopement in France, destination weddings have become increasingly popular for UK couples—especially those in the South West counties of Somerset, Devon, Cornwall and Dorset. With breathtaking venues, warm climates, and stunning scenery, destination weddings often cost less than a traditional UK wedding while offering a once‑in‑a‑lifetime experience.

But planning a wedding overseas comes with questions: legal requirements, travel logistics, hiring suppliers, budgeting, and ensuring your wedding day is captured beautifully. This guide covers everything you need to know.

Why Choose a Destination Wedding?

Destination weddings offer a unique blend of intimacy, adventure, and luxury. Whether you’re dreaming of a coastal ceremony on the Amalfi Coast or a medieval villa in Tuscany, getting married abroad combines your wedding and honeymoon in one unforgettable experience.

Stunning Scenery for Your Wedding Film

Dramatic landscapes, crystal‑blue water, white sandy beaches, and historic architecture create the perfect backdrop for cinematic wedding videography. When paired with drone footage, your wedding film becomes visually spectacular.

Cost Savings

Many couples find that getting married abroad is more affordable than hosting a large UK wedding—especially if you opt for a smaller guest list.

A More Intimate Guest List

Destination weddings naturally attract close family and friends, reducing pressure and helping you focus on a meaningful celebration.

Legal Requirements for Getting Married Abroad

Before choosing a location, it’s essential to understand the legal process.

Most countries require:

• Passports valid for at least 6 months
• Birth certificates
• Certificates of No Impediment (CNI)
• Residency requirements (varies by country)
• Marriage license application

Popular Destination Legalities

Greece – Requires a CNI and documents translated into Greek.
Italy – Straightforward process; civil or church ceremonies available.
Cyprus – One of the simplest countries to marry legally abroad.
Spain – Often requires residency; symbolic ceremonies are common.

Tip: Many couples choose a UK legal ceremony followed by a symbolic ceremony abroad.

Choosing the Perfect Destination Wedding Location

Your destination sets the tone for your entire wedding. Consider the style, climate, accessibility, and the type of scenery you want in your wedding film.

Mediterranean Locations

• Italy – Elegant villas, clifftops, lakeside settings
• Greece – Iconic white buildings, ocean views
• Portugal – Algarve beaches, historic castles
• Malta – Golden stone architecture, dramatic sea views

Tropical Islands

• Bali
• Mauritius
• Seychelles
• Caribbean islands

These locations create warm, cinematic visuals—perfect for drone footage and sunset ceremonies.

UK‑Friendly Short‑Haul Destinations

For couples in Somerset, Devon, Cornwall and Dorset, airports like Bristol and Exeter offer flights to:

• France
• Italy
• Greece
• Spain
• Croatia
• Portugal

This minimises travel for guests and simplifies logistics.

Should You Bring Your Own UK Wedding Videographer?

The short answer: Yes—absolutely.

Consistency in Style and Quality

Many couples regret booking local videographers abroad because:

• Communication barriers cause misunderstandings
• Local styles differ from UK cinematic storytelling
• Editing quality varies drastically
• You cannot meet the team beforehand
• No guarantee of backup systems

Hiring Diamond Film Wedding Videography ensures you receive a consistent, premium, UK‑style cinematic film no matter where you marry.

Pre‑Wedding Consultations

Zoom calls, planning chats, venue walk‑throughs (if possible), and detailed timeline reviews are far easier with a UK‑based videographer.

South West Departure Convenience

With easy access to Bristol, Exeter, and Newquay airports, South West videographers can quickly travel worldwide.

Ability to Bring Professional Gear

UK videographers travel with:

• Drones
• Cinema cameras
• High‑end audio equipment
• Backup cameras
• Hard‑drive redundancy

You receive the same standard as a UK wedding—just in a spectacular international location.

Budgeting a Destination Wedding

Destination weddings vary widely in cost depending on your country and guest list.

Key Budget Areas

• Venue & ceremony fees
• Travel & accommodation
• UK videographer flights & hotel
• Food & drink
• Legal fees
• Excursions (popular with guests)
• Decor & styling
• Wedding dress transport
• Insurance

Couples often spend 20–40% less on a destination wedding compared to a traditional UK wedding for 80–120 guests.

Creating a Smooth Destination Wedding Timeline

Travel introduces logistical layers.

The Ideal Structure

• Day 1: Welcome dinner
• Day 2: Wedding day
• Day 3: Beach day / pool party / excursions
• Optional: Post‑wedding shoot (sunset or sunrise)

A next‑day shoot is perfect for drone footage and relaxed portraits.

Why Videography Is Essential for Destination Weddings

You’re choosing a location for its beauty—make sure it lives forever in motion.

Key Benefits

• Once‑in‑a‑lifetime scenery
• Drone views of beaches, cliffs & villas
• Emotional storytelling
• Capturing guests’ travel and celebrations
• A wedding film you’ll never stop watching

Destination weddings create moments worth preserving in cinema‑quality visuals.

Final Tips for a Perfect Wedding Abroad

• Visit your destination at least once
• Hire a local planner
• Bring a UK videographer you trust
• Plan travel early
• Coordinate guest accommodation
• Check the local climate
• Schedule sunset wisely
• Keep your ceremony short (heat!)

With planning, organisation, and the right wedding videographer, your destination wedding becomes a cinematic masterpiece.

 
 
 
 
  EXCELLENT  
  
 Based on 35 reviews 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Stacey C 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
An absolute angel! An essential piece of our wedding journey, and a top bloke too! Great sense of humour, the ability to keep things calm, and the patience of a saint! Top quality films and craftsman ship. Thoroughly recommend Chris!
  
 
  
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Eleanor 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
The best videographer ever!! 🤍 From the moment we first met Chris for our pre-wedding meeting, we knew we were in incredibly safe hands. He took the time to properly get to know us, understand what was important to us and listen to exactly what we wanted from our wedding film. He went through the timeline throughly and made sure he asked all little details to ensure the video would reflect our vision. That meeting gave us so much reassurance and made us both feel confident that he was going to capture our dream day exactly as we hoped. Throughout the whole process, his communication was incredible.  Always on the end of the phone and encouraged to reach out, rather than worry or let thoughts run wild. He was so efficient, friendly and reassuring. On the wedding day itself, he was absolutely brilliant. He has an incredible sense of humour, and honestly, his humour was hilarious! 😂 On a day that was busy and emotional, he somehow knew exactly when we needed a laugh. He helped us have little moments of breathing space amongst the business and made us feel so relaxed. He was also fantastic with our guests and had such an amazing way of putting people at ease. Nothing ever felt awkward or forced, and he fitted into the day so naturally. He honestly felt much more like a friend/guest who happened to be capturing everything. He supported us tremendously with direction, which we really appreciated, but equally listened to us and our ideas throughout. He knew when to guide us and when to simply let the moment happen naturally. That balance was perfect, and we always felt heard and completely comfortable. He is also extremely talented. The way he captures the atmosphere, emotions and little moments is genuinely incredible, and we knew from watching him work that our wedding film was going to be something really special. We received our teaser video so promptly after the wedding and were absolutely blown away. You were a huge part of our wedding day, and we are so grateful that you were there to capture it for us.  Highly recommend . 🤍🎥 Ellie & Charlie x
  
 
  
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Sammy Sheard 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Chris was amazing!  He has a great sense of humor and we could banter with him, which just made it for us! I was so nervous about the getting ready videos but he literally made me and my bridesmaids laugh so much that we felt at ease. He worked incredibly well with our photographer, that our guests thought they were a duo! He gelled so well with all our guests, they loved him, my nan liked him a little too much haha!!! We are so pleased with how our videos came out, they are absolutely incredible and will be cherished forever!! The drone photos were very good too, see attached! If you're thinking of booking, we definitely recommend!
  
 
  
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Jessica Brown 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
We honestly couldn’t have asked for a better videographer for our wedding. From the moment Chris arrived, he brought such amazing energy—he was like a built‑in hype man, getting everyone excited and helping us relax and enjoy every second of the day. Nothing was ever too much trouble for him. Whether it was capturing a last-minute idea or helping us feel comfortable on camera, he handled everything effortlessly and with a smile. He blended in so naturally with our guests that it felt like he was part of the celebration, not just working it. His work is absolutely stunning. Although we had amazing pictures, it was so special to be able to listen back to our ceremony and speeches—the emotion, the laughter, and all those little moments you might otherwise forget. It’s something we’ll treasure forever. On top of that, he was an absolute laugh! He kept spirits high all day and made the whole experience even more fun and memorable for us and our guests. We’re so grateful to have had him as part of our special day and couldn’t recommend him more enough! 🎥✨ Thank you so much 😊 🤎
  
 
  
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Daniel Hou 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Hi Chris, We just wanted to say a massive thank you again for stepping in at the last minute to video our wedding. You honestly saved the day for us. Not only were you an absolute professional, but you were also funny, charming, and put everyone completely at ease  which made such a difference. So many guests commented on how great you were. The final video you produced is genuinely top class. The quality, the moments you captured, and the way you put it all together exceeded our expectations. It’s something we’ll treasure forever. We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend you to anyone looking for a wedding videographer. Thanks again, Dan & Emma
  
 
  
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Emma Stephens 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Chris stepped in at very short notice to film our wedding day and exceeded every expectation. He took the time to understand what we wanted, adapted his filming style to match our vision, and made us feel completely at ease on the day. The finished video perfectly captures the emotions and atmosphere of our wedding, bringing many of us to tears rewatching our day again! We can’t thank him enough and would recommend him to anyone in a heartbeat - thanks for everything Chris
  
 
  
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Paul Aston Photography 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
I’ve worked with Chris from Diamond Film Weddings on plenty of weddings and every time it’s an absolute riot. He’s not one of those videographers who camps on the photographer’s shoulder all day or kills the vibe — he gets properly stuck in and adds to the energy. Chris knows when to take control, when to blend in, and when to hype people up. Couples love him, guests remember him, and the day genuinely feels better with him there. He brings creativity without ego, confidence without chaos, and somehow still captures killer films. On top of that, his films are cracking — full of personality, emotion, and the real feel of the day. If you want a videographer who actually enhances your wedding rather than just records it, Chris is your man.
  
 
  
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Grace May 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
We honestly couldn’t recommend Chris highly enough. From the moment he arrived, he made us feel completely comfortable and at ease, which made such a difference on the day. He blended in so naturally and captured everything without it ever feeling forced or awkward. The wedding videos themselves are absolutely incredible; the quality, the attention to detail, and the way he captured the emotion of the day are beyond anything we could have hoped for. We watch them back with so much fondness and they instantly transport us back to all those special moments. Thank you, Chris, for giving us something we’ll treasure forever.
  
 
  
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Nikita 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Chris did such a wonderful job of capturing our wedding day! We couldn’t be happier, the quality of the videos and the way they’ve been put together is amazing. Just as importantly, Chris put everyone at ease and fit in seamlessly with our entire day from the moment he arrived to film the pre-ceremony pieces until the very end. We couldn’t be happier with how everything went, thank you Chris!
  
 
  
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Patsy Gellibrand 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Chris from Diamond Film Weddings was an absolute dream to work with! We booked him just a week before our wedding, and from that moment, he exceeded every expectation. His communication before the big day was phenomenal and made the entire process completely stress-free. We had our day a little differently to most couples and had a first look. This allowed me and my partner to have some time together, be a bit more relaxed, have some fun, and get our photos done beforehand. This did mean the schedules were run differently and we had to start earlier, but Chris handled it perfectly and really got into the carefree and fun vibe of the day. On the day, Chris fit seamlessly into our wedding. He was so friendly and approachable that everyone felt completely at ease around him. He worked beautifully alongside all our other suppliers, capturing moments naturally without ever feeling intrusive. Even though we can be camera shy, I never once felt uncomfortable in front of the camera, and the way he directed us made it genuinely fun and effortless. He is definitely not your standard cookie cutter videographer, he is like your chaotic friend who has a camera and has no problem bantering with you all day. He just brought this energy to the day that is unmatched by any other videographer or supplier we have ever met, the fact we had known each other a week (virtually), and we were asked multiple times if we were friends just shows how at ease he will make you on your day and we are glad to call him our friend by the end of ours. His videography style is exceptional. We didn’t want the typical slow, romantic wedding video. We wanted something that captured our chaotic, energetic, and joyful personalities, and Chris delivered beyond our wildest dreams. The trailer video alone had everyone commenting that it was one of the best they’d ever seen. He captured the essence of our day perfectly, from the big moments to the smallest, most intimate details, preserving not just the events but the emotions, laughter, and energy that made our wedding uniquely ours. Chris didn’t just film our wedding, he created a cinematic experience that we’ll treasure forever. His charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent transformed our wedding memories into something truly magical. We honestly can’t recommend him highly enough. ❤️
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
   
 
 Verified by Trustindex  
Trustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more