Destination
Weddings

1. TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOURSELF: HOW DID YOU BECOME A WEDDING PLANNER AND WHY DID YOU SPECIALIZE IN DESTINATION WEDDINGS?

I first thought about becoming a wedding planner over ten years ago when I did an internship in a big event agency in Wiesbaden after finishing high school. Afterwards I studied graphic and product design in Italy and business administration in Munich. Afterwards I worked in large companies in the marketing and event sector. In all these years I have always followed the wedding market and thought about becoming a wedding planner myself. Last year I made the decision to realize my dream.

Besides weddings in Germany and Austria I like to organize weddings abroad. I am the absolute summer person and love the warmth, the Mediterranean way of life, the lightness of the south. When I think of the perfect wedding for me, I feel a mild warmth, gentle wind, a feeling of freedom. Especially Marrakech, Mallorca and Italy have done it to me. When bridal couples think about a wedding in the south, they often only have the typical destinations in their minds. Marrakech, South Tyrol or Apulia, for example, offer such breathtaking possibilities. Especially bridal couples who are looking for something extraordinary will definitely find it in Marrakech. The city and its surroundings offer first-class locations - whether in the city, in the oasis or in the desert. My personal highlights outside of Marrakech are the Beldi Country Club and the Scarabeo Camp - everything is just right for me there.

2. BRIDAL COUPLES OFTEN ASK THEMSELVES WHETHER A WEDDING ABROAD IS EASILY RECOGNISED IN GERMANY. CAN YOU HELP OUR BRIDAL COUPLES IN THIS RESPECT?

A marriage abroad is generally recognized in Germany. It is only important that the marriage is entered into in the form that is customary in the respective country. This differs from country to country. Information on the different destinations can be found in a good summary at the Federal Office of Administration. As a wedding planner I am also happy to help my bridal couples.

Many bridal couples also decide to get married in Germany first at a registry office and then celebrate abroad. Especially in today's times, when free weddings are becoming more and more popular, this is the easiest option.

3. MANY BRIDAL COUPLES DO NOT CONSIDER A DESTINATION WEDDING BECAUSE THEY THINK THAT THE WEDDING IS ASSOCIATED WITH IMMENSELY HIGH COSTS. IS THIS TRUE OR IS IT MORE OF A RUMOUR?

Whether in Germany or abroad: the cost of a wedding depends on many factors. Especially the number of guests makes an immense difference. What is clear is that a destination wedding involves increased costs for the bridal couple and their guests, both for travel and accommodation. On the other hand, abroad the costs for the location, catering and service providers are often lower, so that the bridal couples get more for their money. In my opinion, however, one cannot make a general statement about whether destination weddings are cheaper or more expensive than domestic weddings. Quality has its price everywhere.

4. HOW DO BRIDAL COUPLES MANAGE TO GET AROUND THE DESTINATION WITH LITTLE TO NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE LOCAL LANGUAGE? AND HOW DO YOU MANAGE?

Professional wedding service providers often speak English, even when abroad, so communication with the contact persons is no problem. It is important that these contact persons are then also on site as contact persons on the day of the wedding to make arrangements and coordinate their employees without knowledge of English. But of course it makes planning easier if you have knowledge of the local language. In addition to language skills, an understanding of the respective culture is also an advantage.

I myself speak English fluently and have knowledge of French, Italian and Spanish, so I have never had a problem finding my way around abroad. Otherwise I have travelled and lived abroad a lot in my life, so I have a good understanding of other cultures.

5. AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST: WHY WOULD YOU RECOMMEND A DESTINATION WEDDING OR WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF A DESTINATION WEDDING?

If bridal couples decide to have a wedding abroad, they often offer their guests a program lasting several days with a get-together the evening before, the wedding reception and a brunch the following day. Especially because the wedding day passes by so quickly and the bridal couples often have the feeling that they cannot do justice to all guests, I think it is great to spend more Quality Time with your guests before and after the big day. This also allows the guests to get to know each other better. Together with the often more beautiful weather, which makes it possible to celebrate outdoors under the open sky, a feeling of festive lightness develops much faster. Certainly the journey for the guests is more complicated, but at the latest with the first glass of wine on a warm summer evening, everyone relaxes and spends an extraordinary and moving wedding weekend together, which means a short break for everyone.