Planning a destination wedding is incredibly exciting. Whether you’re getting married in Iceland, France, Italy or Cyprus, there’s something so special about gathering your favourite people in a beautiful location abroad.
As a UK-based destination wedding makeup artist and hairstylist, I’ve been lucky enough to travel all over the world for weddings, working with couples from the UK, the USA, Australia and beyond. One of the questions I get asked most often is how to successfully organise suppliers when planning a wedding from another country – especially when there may be language barriers, different time zones or unfamiliar wedding traditions involved.
Here are a few things I’ve learned from working on destination weddings over the years that can help make the process feel much smoother and far less stressful.
Decide Which Suppliers Matter Most to You
When planning a destination wedding, there are usually some suppliers that are easier to book locally, and others that couples often prefer to bring with them.
For many of my brides, hair and makeup is one of those things. Your wedding morning is such a personal experience and having somebody there who already understands your style, your skin, your preferences and your vision can make a huge difference to how relaxed you feel on the day.
The same often applies to photographers or videographers. If there is a supplier whose work you absolutely love and trust, it can be worth flying them out with you rather than compromising.
The Benefits of Booking a UK-Based Wedding Hair and Makeup Artist
If you’re based in the UK and getting married abroad, booking a UK destination wedding makeup artist can make the planning process much easier.
One of the biggest benefits is being able to have a bridal trial before your wedding day. Trials are such an important part of the process because they allow us to explore different ideas together and create a look that feels completely right for you before travelling abroad.
It also means you already know the person who will be with you on the morning of your wedding. There’s a level of familiarity and trust that really helps create a calm atmosphere.
As someone who specialises in destination weddings in Iceland, France, Italy and Cyprus, I always work closely with my brides before we travel to ensure everything feels organised and stress-free.
If You’re Travelling From Another English-Speaking Country
Many of my destination wedding clients travel from places such as the USA or Australia to get married in Europe.
In these cases, if an in-person trial isn’t possible beforehand, I usually recommend scheduling a trial the day before the wedding once everyone has arrived. This still gives us time to perfect your look and make any tweaks if needed, without adding stress to the wedding morning itself.
I also always recommend arranging a Zoom call before booking any destination wedding hairstylist or makeup artist. Having a proper conversation beforehand allows you to discuss your vision, ask questions and make sure your personalities work well together – which is honestly just as important as the makeup itself.
Don’t Underestimate the Language Barrier or The Different Styles of Hair and Makeup
One of the biggest hidden stresses of destination weddings can be communication.
Even if suppliers speak some English, there can still be misunderstandings when discussing timings, expectations or creative details. Having suppliers you can communicate with easily can remove a huge amount of anxiety during the planning process.
This is especially true for hair and makeup, where tiny details really matter. Being able to explain exactly how you want your skin to look, how much makeup you usually wear or how you want your hairstyle to feel is incredibly important.
Having somebody there who fully understands your brief can make the entire experience feel much more relaxed.
Another strong point to note is that wedding trends vary wildly between countries. If you do book an artist in the country of your wedding, be sure to thoroughly check that their style aligns with your style.
Create a Shared Wedding Supplier Timeline
One thing I always recommend to destination wedding couples is creating a shared supplier timeline before the wedding.
Include:
- Supplier arrival times
- Ceremony timings
- Travel between venues
- Sunset photography timing
- Hair and makeup schedules
- Contact details for key people
This helps everyone stay organised and avoids confusion on the day itself.
Destination Weddings Should Feel Exciting – Not Stressful
Planning a wedding abroad naturally comes with more moving parts than a local wedding, but choosing suppliers you trust makes all the difference.
Whether you’re getting married in the snowy landscapes of Iceland, a villa in Italy, the countryside of France or the coast of Cyprus, having experienced destination wedding suppliers around you allows you to fully enjoy the experience rather than worrying about logistics. Please also check out two wonderful destination wedding planners that I work closely with: By Joanne and Wonderlust Events.
As a destination wedding makeup artist and hairstylist based in the UK, I specialise in modern, natural bridal beauty for weddings across Europe and beyond.
If you’re planning your destination wedding and would like to chat about your plans, I’d love to hear from you.
