Destination Wedding vs Local - what we learned from planning both!
Planning a wedding comes with big decisions, and choosing between a local and destination wedding is one of the most important. After experiencing both—a local wedding in Melbourne and a destination wedding in Germany—here’s what we learned:
Vendors:
Being in the industry, I had the advantage of knowing trusted vendors. My florist, Flowers by Matthew Brett, styled our wedding in Melbourne, and my makeup artist gave me a tutorial to do my own makeup in Germany. Working with vendors in Europe was a new experience, and everything came together beautifully!
Guest Experience:
Destination weddings tend to be smaller and more intimate, offering guests an unforgettable experience. With multiple events—welcome parties, the wedding, and recovery brunches—it creates an extended celebration. Local weddings allow for a larger guest list, making for a grander celebration with more of your loved ones present.
Logistics:
With destination weddings, coordinating travel and accommodations for guests adds a big part to the planning process. Make sure to choose a venue that is easy to navigate, ensuring our guests and yourself can enjoy the experience without hassle.
Photography Considerations:
Being a wedding photographer myself, choosing the right photographer was, of course, one of the most important decisions. Luckily, when my friend Rachel Luckow asked me for a recommendation for her Puglia wedding, I had the perfect suggestion—Dosmasen ( who was listed as top wedding photographer in Europe by The Wed ) After meeting with them and hearing Rachel’s glowing reviews, we knew we were in great hands. For our destination wedding, their team captured stunning artistic photos that perfectly complemented the surroundings that you can only have in Europe. Local weddings offer the advantage of knowing local photographers. Amanda Alessi and Caitlin captured ours beautifully on 35mm film.
The Overall Vibe: Which One Felt More “Us”?
Destination Wedding - Germany Private Estate
A destination wedding is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience that’s unforgettable, offering a wow factor and a chance to create lasting memories with your nearest and dearest. However, it requires significant planning, work, and expenses to ensure everything goes smoothly.
Melbourne Celebration - Local favourite Sorsi Morsi
On the other hand, our Melbourne wedding felt deeply personal—held at our favorite local restaurant, Sorsi Morsi, which hosted its very first wedding for us. It was more relaxed, with greater control over the details, and allowed us to celebrate with those who truly meant the most to us. Both experiences were special in their own way, but the choice really comes down to what feels right for you and the kind of celebration you envision.
Germany Vendors
Dream Photographers from Barcelona: Dosmasen / Venue Private: Estate / Celebrant: Mein Papa / My dress: Rebecca Vallance / My shoes: Jimmy Choo / Moritz’s Suit and shoes: Calibre / Private Catering: Food Bike 21
Melbourne Vendors
35mm Film Photos by Amanda Alessi & Caitlin / Venue with the loveliest Dave and Brad and dream team : Sorsi Morsi / Celebrant: Tim Dyer / Floral Styling: FBMJ / Dress: Retrofete / Makeup: Yanki Choi / Hair: Sarah Purcell / Lamington Cake from Millers Bread Dromana
