destination wedding planning
across Europe
A UK-Based destination wedding planner for weddings abroad
For couples dreaming of a wedding weekend or multi-day celebration in the sunny south of Europe, I will take on the full planning of your destination wedding. As a UK-based destination wedding planner, I have a particular love for weddings across Italy, France, Spain, and Portugal.
Destination weddings are wonderfully complex affairs, often spanning three or more event days, and I love taking care of every detail from start to finish.
I support you with venue sourcing and site visits, curating local supplier teams, crafting a site-specific design, and vetting catering with tastings, as well as coordinating local transport and accommodation. All the while, you get to enjoy the best parts of the planning process.
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EUROPE DESTINATION WEDDING PLANNING – WHAT’S INCLUDED
01PLANNING FOUNDATIONS
Multi-day destination weddings in Europe are wonderfully complex, often requiring 400–600+ hours of planning. That’s why collaboration and creative alignment are at the heart of my approach. We begin with a clear vision board, budget breakdown, and planning timeline, making the entire journey feel simple and manageable. Together, we map out the best flow for your events and wedding day before moving on to your destination venue and location sourcing.
Whether it’s a charming villa in the South of France, a chic boutique hotel in Spain, or a rustic Tuscan farmhouse, I help you find the perfect setting that feels entirely right for you and supports your vision. I’ll arrange venue visits and itineraries, guiding you through each location with my expertise and a carefully compiled venue questionnaire, so comparing options is effortless. On top of that, I provide a detailed budget scenario for your shortlisted venues, so you know exactly what each would entail before signing any contracts.
02 DESTINATION WEDDING SupplierS & Logistics
Once your destination wedding venue is set, I curate a creative team of local suppliers to bring your wedding weekend to life. From quality entertainment and innovative catering to production design, stationery and printing, photography, bridal beauty and beyond.
I oversee the entire workflow, from negotiations and contracts to every ongoing conversation, ensuring everything unfolds seamlessly behind the scenes. All the while, you remain immersed in the joy and anticipation of your celebration, rather than the logistics.
Beyond full supplier liaison, I coordinate all other logistics unique to your destination wedding weekend. This includes:
Guest transportation between hotels and your venue
Group accommodation coordination
On-the-ground logistical planning unique to your location
Currency guidance and local payment management
Curated recommendations for activities, excursions and pre-/post-wedding experiences, if desired
03Design & Styling
Your destination wedding design is crafted with the utmost care – blending thoughtful aesthetics with deeply personal touches to create a multi-day celebration that feels authentic, welcoming and entirely yours.
I focus on what resonates most, developing a design concept that honours your venue and reflects you both as individuals and as a couple, with authenticity and personality at its heart.
From the welcome bar or rehearsal dinner to ceremony florals, bespoke décor details, layered tablescapes and after-party lighting, each element is designed not only to delight, but to tell your story – so you feel proud, connected and completely at home throughout the weekend.
With an instinctive eye for composition, a love of unexpected concepts and a sharp understanding of what truly works within a space, I collaborate with an ever-growing network of exceptional designers, florists and artists across Europe.
Every celebration is only as extraordinary as the people behind it, which is why I ensure that every creative partner involved shares the same passion, artistry and dedication.
04ON-THE-DAY MANAGEMENT & Final Touches
In the weeks leading up to the wedding weekend, I triple-check every plan and create detailed schedules for all teams, days and your families. On the weekend itself, my team and I orchestrate the carefully planned flow, keeping suppliers in sync and every touchpoint flawless. We also manage the full breakdown and aftercare each day, so you can head into your honeymoon with complete peace of mind.
PLANNING A EUROPE DESTINATION WEDDING FROM THE UK, US OR CANADA
Drawing on my European – specifically German – heritage, I understand the diverse cultures, etiquettes, and ways of working across much of Europe, especially Italy, Spain, France, and Portugal. These countries shaped precious experiences during my early travels, road trips, and cross-cultural friendships, giving me a natural insight into their ways of life and nuances.
Having lived and worked in the UK for nearly 15 years, I’ve gained a unique perspective on British culture and have also worked closely with countless clients from the US and Canada – both in my previous career and now with HILDE.
Fluent in English and German, I serve UK, Canadian, and US-based clients with ease, helping them navigate the differences in European cultures and expectations while avoiding misunderstandings with local vendors.
With an understanding of both European and UK/Canadian/US cultures, I guide you through every step, making your destination wedding come together effortlessly – like having a trusted partner in both worlds.
Get in touch to discuss your destination wedding vision. Whether you have a specific coastline in mind or are just beginning to explore possibilities abroad, I’m here to help you design an effortlessly chic celebration.
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EUROPEAN WEDDING DESTINATIONS WE LOVE
/ FRANCE
J’aime France and its wonderfully diverse regions, each with its own personality – Provence with its rustic elegance and châteaux, Bordeaux and Burgundy with their romantic vineyards, and Paris with its chic, multicultural energy. The scenery and lifestyle are perfect for multi-day weddings, from wine tastings and welcome dinners in medieval villages to farewell brunches overlooking sunlit grapevines or manicured gardens. With reliably beautiful weather from late spring through early autumn, French garden ceremonies are a must.
Venue loves: Château d'Estoublon, Bastide du Roy, Chateau de Tourreau, Château de Sannes, Airelles Gordes
/ ITALY & SICILY
I just love Italy and Sicily and never tire of everything it has to offer – from the sights to the incredible food and wine. And then, of course, there’s the weather and the old-world charm of its magnificent cities, ancient towns, and wildly diverse countryside. Each region has its own personality, local cuisine, wines, and way of life. I’ve never met anyone who hasn’t felt humbled and inspired by Italy – it draws you in, making you feel warm, alive, and completely enchanted.
Favourite regions & places: Tuscany, Umbria, Florence, Lucca, Puglia, Sicily
/ SPAIN & MALLORCA
Spain has a way of making you feel alive. There’s a natural warmth here – in the light, the colours, the textures, and of course in its people – that invites everyone to relax and truly celebrate. It’s a country that knows how to gather, feast, and embrace the moment, which makes it such a beautiful setting for a destination wedding. From sun-drenched fincas and olive groves in Andalucía to vineyard estates, breezy Mediterranean coastlines, and the laid-back elegance of Mallorca, every setting feels effortlessly beautiful and full of character. The food is generous and flavourful, the wines exceptional, and the long, balmy evenings seem made for lingering dinners under the stars.
Venue loves: Neuendorf House, The Lodge Mallorca, La Residencia, Finca Cortesin
/ PORTUGAL
Portugal offers stunning and varied landscapes for destination weddings – from dramatic Atlantic cliffs and golden beaches in the Algarve, to the rolling vineyards of the Douro Valley, and the historic charm of Lisbon and Porto. There’s a wonderful balance between laid-back coastal ease and refined style, and the warmth and generosity of the Portuguese people makes you feel instantly at home. The food is fresh and vibrant, the wines rich, and long, golden evenings are made for gathering with loved ones.
Venue loves: São Lourenço do Barrocal, Sublime Comporta, Areias Do Seixo, Aethos Ericiera, Praia do Cana, Na Praia Comporta
FAQs
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Our destination planning and design services are structured as a percentage of the overall wedding or production budget. This reflects the scope, scale, and level of detail involved in delivering a truly bespoke celebration. All fees are inclusive of VAT at the standard rate if you are based in the UK. US / Canada based clients do not attract VAT.
A minimum fee applies to all services and is determined by several factors, including guest numbers, number of event days, location(s), and overall complexity.
Following an initial consultation, we provide a tailored proposal and quote aligned with your vision and requirements.
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If you know you’d like to work with a planner, we recommend securing your planner as your very first supplier. From there, we guide you through booking your venue and assembling the right creative team in a considered and strategic way.
For destination wedding we recommend allowing a minimum of 12 months, ideally 18 months. This ensures availability of exceptional venues and suppliers, and allows the design to be developed with care and intention.
Ultimately, the timeline depends on the scale, logistics, and level of detail involved, and whether we are involved with venue sourcing or meet you after the venue has been sourced.
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I regularly work with clients based overseas and am therefore used to and fully aware of the logistics associated with this, including bank transfers. Face to face meetings are replaced with regular Zoom calls and I can conduct Europe based site visits, supplier meetings, tastings etc. on your behalf, if required.
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Yes. As a German living in the UK and married to a wonderful British-Chinese man, I deeply understand the importance of blending cultural traditions with care and respect.
Over the years, I’ve had the honour of creating a wide range of cross-cultural weddings, which I absolutely adore – from Turkish-Bosnian and Japanese-German to Russian-Welsh, Chinese-Indian, Indian-British, Persian-British, and many more, including church and Jewish ceremonies as well as weddings incorporating Hindu elements.
Each celebration is thoughtfully tailored to honour both families and cultures while creating a seamless, beautiful experience.
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We assist with nearby guest accommodation, including securing room blocks and coordinating event-day travel logistics such as shuttle services between the venue and designated hotels. We also provide guidance on the best travel routes and car hire options.
Please note that we do not manage your own or any guest flights.
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We typically assign one staff member for every 15–20 guests to ensure the weekend runs seamlessly and every touchpoint is styled to perfection. Our team also manages suppliers, liaises closely with the venue, and attends to all guest queries on the day.
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Planning a wedding abroad follows the same care, expertise and structured approach as any UK wedding. The process mirrors our multi-day planning service, guiding you step by step through every detail and event day — from venue sourcing, supplier selection and design to logistics and guest management.
The main difference for us is that venue visits and planning meetings will take longer due to international travel. However, we manage all of this seamlessly, so you can enjoy an stress-free experience no matter where you are based.
Additionally, if you’re unable to attend in person, we’re experienced in visiting venues and meeting suppliers on your behalf. Venue show-arounds can be recorded and shared via Zoom, or live Zoom walkthroughs can be arranged for a real-time joint experience.
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Explore ALL Wedding Planning & DESIGN Services
Weekend wedding planning
For couples planning a multi-day wedding or intercultural celebration, where thoughtful coordination and cohesive design are essential across every event.
DesTination wedding planning
For couples planning a wedding abroad who want every detail thoughtfully managed, from venue sourcing to seamless execution.
WEDDING DESIGN & STYLING
For couples who need guidance on the visual direction and design concept, while choosing to manage the broader planning themselves.
/ KIND WORDS
“As a Canadian couple who planned a multi-day wedding abroad, having a capable planner truly makes a difference, therefore we cannot say enough wonderful things about Anné.
From the very beginning, Anné’s warm, calming energy made the entire planning process feel exciting instead of overwhelming. She has an incredible eye and exquisite taste, and every suggestion she brought to the table felt thoughtful, elevated, and perfectly aligned with our vision.
Throughout our planning process, every vendor she recommended was exceptionally talented and a joy to work with - which was a true reflection of her own professionalism and standards set for herself. Anne was also invaluable when it came to decision-making, guiding us thoughtfully on where it was worth investing and where we could be more mindful, always in a way that protected the overall experience and elevated the final result.
Anné was not only an outstanding planner, but she was a true partner in the process. Her impeccable talent for design, her organization, and her instinct for what truly matters made our wedding more beautiful than we could have imagined. We will miss opening our inboxes to find her emails & all the fun we had on our site trips leading up to the big celebration. We are endlessly grateful to her and could not recommend her more highly.
Thank you for everything, Anné.
- Love Gill & Tom”