Get Clear On Where To Have Your Wedding : UK Or Overseas? By Weddings At Lake Garda
One of the first and most important decisions you will make when planning your wedding is where it will take place. Before you begin researching venues, booking suppliers, or building a vision board, take time to decide whether you want to marry in the UK or overseas. Destination weddings are more and more popular they they aren’y the right choice for everyone.
The bad news is there is no quick way to do this.
You first need to spend an evening talking through all the points to be sure that you are both on the same page.
A UK wedding offers familiarity and convenience. Planning is often more straightforward, legal requirements are simpler, and guests usually find it easier to attend. You already understand the culture, expectations, and practicalities, which can make the process feel more predictable and manageable and you probably won’t feel the need for a planner.
An overseas wedding creates a very different experience. Destination weddings often feel more immersive and personal, turning your celebration into a shared holiday or journey rather than a single-day event. Many couples value the extended time with guests, the sense of escape, and the opportunity to marry in a setting that reflects their personality or connection to a particular place. The other thing, in my experience, that an overseas wedding does is take away your guests expectations, so if you want to do something less usual this can work really well.
Ask yourselves what matters most? Convenience and accessibility and potentially personal control, or a unique and memorable experience that will be completely different to most other peoples weddings.
Consider your guest list realistically
Your choice of location directly influences who can attend. Weddings in the UK typically allow for larger guest numbers, particularly for older relatives or those who may find travel difficult. A local wedding can make it easier for everyone to be part of your day. My own sister - even though she had a wedding planner in Italy who would have done it for free - decided to get married in the UK because they knew that more people would be able to attend if they did that.
Overseas weddings often result in smaller, more intimate celebrations. Travel costs and time commitments naturally reduce guest numbers, but this can also create a more focused and meaningful experience with your closest family and friends. Some couples choose a destination wedding specifically to keep the wedding and atmosphere more intimate, suddenly there’s no need to even discuss inviting work colleagues for example.
Be honest about your priorities. Is your aim to include as many people as possible, or to create a smaller, more personal gathering?
Understand what the costs might be
There is a common belief that overseas weddings are always more expensive, but this is not necessarily the case. Costs depend on location, guest numbers, and the type of celebration you want.
A UK wedding may involve higher venue hire fees and larger guest lists, increasing overall spend. A destination wedding includes travel and accommodation considerations but can sometimes offer better value per guest or allow you to focus your budget on the elements that matter most.
It’s pretty difficult to make exact comparisons but do some initial research into both if you are undecided.
My personal experience is that the cost v’s value here on Lake Garda is very good and you can offer your guests an experience that - so they tell me - is unrivalled. So I’m not sure the cost to the couple, if you were to compare similar venues & food experiences, is actually more, in fact possibly less. But everyone needs to get here first so there is the logistical cost for everyone to consider.
Think about planning and support
Planning locally can feel easier because suppliers are accessible and communication is straightforward. Friends and family can help, if they offer and you trust them.. As I mentioned you might not feel the need for a full planner but please, seriously consider an on the day coordinator. Otherwise you are the only person who knows all the answers - give yourself the night off to enjoy your hard work !
Overseas weddings are also entirely manageable - with the right support. Most couples choose to work with an experienced local planner who understand the language, legal requirements, and has a trusted supplier networks, helping everything run smoothly throughout the planning but of course also on the day itself.
A key question is how involved you want to be in the planning process and how much guidance you would value.
You have to choose what feels right for you
For some couples, the decision is practical. For others, it is deeply personal. You may feel drawn to a destination because of family heritage, shared travel memories, or a love for a particular place. Equally, celebrating close to home may feel more authentic and comfortable.
There is no right or wrong choice. And please, remember this throughout your entire planning journey, however you decide to do it. The best decision is the one that reflects your priorities, values, and vision for your wedding. Your wedding should be a day you can really enjoy, the planning of it a great experience that will be part of your overall memories connected to your wedding.
Once you've decided between the UK and overseas, every other planning step becomes clearer. Your budget, guest list, timeline, and venue search all fall into place so you can really start your planning journey.
Ginny, Weddings at Lake Garda
