Guide for Scandinavian and International Couples Wanting to Get Married Abroad
A destination wedding provides the opportunity to gather family and friends in a place that combines a great atmosphere, beautiful scenery, unique venues and an experience that lasts the entire weekend.
This guide is designed for couples who are considering Europe as their wedding destination and who want an objective, professional and practical overview before choosing a country and venue.
Here you will find everything that does not fit into a country-specific guide, but is still crucial for making the right choices:
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How to choose a destination
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Comparison between regions
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Budget and price levels
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Climate and season
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Logistics for international guests
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Tips for planning across borders
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Brief overview of the five most popular countries: Spain, Greece, France, Portugal and Italy
Why Couples Choose Europe
Europe offers:
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Shorter travel route (for the Nordic region and Europe)
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Rich culture, history and architecture
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Professional venues and suppliers
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Stable weather for much of the year
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Holiday atmosphere for guests
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Great variety within a short distance
For many couples, a wedding abroad provides a freer and more inspiring setting than a classic wedding at home. It offers the opportunity to bring family and friends together for a larger experience, where the wedding is not just a ceremony and a dinner, but an entire weekend or several days of closeness, quality time and good memories.
A destination wedding in Europe is a great fit for couples who want beautiful surroundings, a distinct atmosphere, and a celebration where both details and the whole are given great importance. Many choose to have a wedding abroad because they want a more intimate wedding, a more exclusive feel, better weather, a longer outdoor season, or a destination that means something special to them.
It is also a solution that is often very suitable for international weddings, where guests come from different countries. By meeting at an attractive destination, the wedding can become a shared experience and a natural gathering point for everyone.
For American guests, Europe often becomes a “destination & vacation” in one, while Scandinavian couples appreciate the combination of quality, safety and accessibility.
How to Choose the Right Destination
When considering a destination wedding, you should think about:
1. Climate and season
Do you want spring, summer or fall?
Some countries have a longer wedding season than others.
2. Style and setting
Would you like:
beach, vineyard, historic building, palace, modern hotel, mountain or lake
3. Travel time for guests
Is it important to have direct flights to the venue region?
4. Budget
Price levels vary between countries – and between regions.
5. Wedding size
Large groups require areas with good hotel capacity.
6. Food, wine and culture
What best suits the couple's style?
CUSTOMIZED DESTINATION WEDDING
Europe offers:
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Shorter travel route (for the Nordic region and Europe)
-
Rich culture, history and architecture
-
Professional venues and suppliers
-
Stable weather for much of the year
-
Holiday atmosphere for guests
-
Great variety within a short distance
For American guests, Europe often becomes a “destination & vacation” in one, while Scandinavian couples appreciate the combination of quality, safety and accessibility.
No couple is the same, and therefore a wedding abroad should not be planned according to a standard template. A tailor-made destination wedding is about finding the right balance between aesthetics, logistics, comfort, budget and experience. Some want a relaxed and intimate celebration with few guests, while others envision a larger wedding weekend with multiple events, a welcome dinner, pre-wedding gathering and brunch the next day.
When we work with wedding planning abroad, we always look at the big picture. We don't just think about the wedding day, but about how the experience should feel for both the couple and the guests from first arrival to the last evening. What kind of atmosphere do you want? What type of venue is best suited? Should the wedding be romantic, elegant, relaxed, exclusive, Mediterranean or classic? What details will give the wedding its identity?
Through tailored planning, we build a wedding that feels personal and complete, with a clear common thread in style, experience and execution.
ARE WEDDING ABROAD MORE EXPENSIVE?
Not necessarily. A wedding abroad can be both more cost-effective and more exclusive than a wedding at home, depending on what you want. The cost is affected by the destination, season, number of guests, venue, level of service, number of events and the expression you want to create.
For some couples, the goal is to keep their wedding intimate and focus on quality over size. For others, it's more important to create an entire wedding weekend with multiple experiences. There's no one right model. The key is to build your budget around your priorities and use your resources where they provide the most value.
With the right structure and clear choices early in the process, it becomes easier to keep control of the budget without losing the feeling you want to create.
Brief Overview of the Five Most Popular Wedding Countries
Spain
Varied and diverse country with beaches, culture, historic cities and mountains.
Unique wedding venues such as pazos in Galicia, haciendas in Andalusia and masias in Catalonia, Mallorca and Alicante provide ceremonies with local character, private atmosphere and historical soul.
Great opportunities for weddings near the sea in Mallorca, Catalonia, Andalusia, Barcelona, the Canary Islands, Alicante, Marbella and Galicia.
Suitable for: couples who want sun, flexibility and authentic surroundings with many different venue types.
Greece
Islands with characteristic white architecture, dramatic cliffs and spectacular sunsets.
Santorini, Rhodes and Crete are among the most popular destinations.
Unique venues with ocean views, terraces and boutique hotels provide the perfect setting for ceremonies and celebrations.
Suitable for: intimate weddings, romantic atmosphere and iconic photo settings.
France
Famous castles, vineyards and elegant gardens with French charm.
Provence, the French Riviera and Champagne particularly stand out as wedding destinations.
Exclusive venues with a historic feel, high gastronomic standards and beautiful surroundings.
Suitable for: couples who want a classic, sophisticated and timeless wedding style.
Portugal
Vineyards, palaces, dramatic cliffs, historic buildings and very good value for money.
Lisbon, Porto, Douro, Algarve, Estoril and Cascais offer long wedding seasons and stable climates.
Wide selection of venues from palaces and vineyards to manor houses, coastal hotels and historic properties.
Suitable for: couples who want high quality, beautiful surroundings and good value.
Italy
Villas, lakes, vineyards, historic towns and a true Mediterranean atmosphere.
Tuscany, the Amalfi Coast, Lake Como, Puglia and Sicily are among the most popular wedding destinations.
Wide variety of venues from elegant villas and vineyards to palaces, masserias and coastal properties.
Suitable for: couples who want strong aesthetics, culture and timeless Italian atmosphere.
Norway
Unique country with fjords, mountains, Arctic landscapes and modern Scandinavian aesthetics.
Great opportunities for weddings in Oslo, Bergen and the Vestlandfjords, as well as Lofoten and Tromsø.
Unique venues from modern architecture and design hotels to historic buildings, fjord hotels and natural locations.
Suitable for: couples who want spectacular nature, the Northern Lights, or a summer wedding with bright nights and dramatic surroundings.
Best Time for Weddings in Southern Europe
1. March–June
Mild, stable and blooming in nature. Ideal for all countries.
2. July–August
Warm. Best for islands and coastal areas.
3. September–October
Fantastic light, comfortable temperature and less tourism.
4. November–February
Only certain areas work: Canary Islands and Madeira.
How We Plan Weddings Abroad
WeTailor
Custom design and production for couples who want a unique concept.
WePackage
Structured process with fixed steps, clear budgets and recommended suppliers.
How to Get Started
Book a meeting
Share your wishes, budget and style
We recommend the right countries and regions
You choose your favorites.
We plan and implement the entire experience