Destination Weddings with Cristina Verger

If there’s anyone who knows how to plan a destination wedding it’s Cristina Verger. For over 15 years, Cristina and her team have built a reputation for innovation, impeccable taste and a keen eye for detail.

Born in Rome, Cristina was educated in Italy and New York City. From a young age, she learned the art of gracious hospitality from her family of hoteliers, lessons that were enhanced by her early exposure to Italy’s culture and endless charm.

Prior to starting her own business, Cristina worked as director of catering and sales for several prestigious New York City properties, including the famous Windows on the World restaurant (located at the top of the former 1 World Trade Center), the Helmsley Hotel Group and the Harvard Club of NYC.

She creates indelible memories for her clients, and she is the authority on all things destination wedding. We recently sat down with her to discuss everything you need to know if you’re considering a destination wedding.

How does the planning timeline change when planning a destination wedding?

I always recommend to start planning at least 18 months before the date. A destination wedding is a very unique experience that allows for an extended celebration with your closest friends and family. To make sure it’s unforgettable, hire a planner! I know you probably expected that, but it’s true. Planning a wedding abroad is a monumental task. It’s imperative to hire an experienced wedding planner/producer to guide you from the very beginning and best before you select the venue. Things are more involved when planning a wedding abroad – the planner will likely present a handful of venues and chances are, you’ll want to visit your top choices with your planner before deciding on the final destination.

How do you go about building a guest list for a destination wedding?

The simplest thing you can do to narrow down your destination wedding guest list is to keep things small. If people know that you want things to be intimate, they won’t be upset about not being invited. Only invite people who are near and dear to your heart. Everyone else will understand. No one’s ever going to be mad at you for inviting your parents and siblings. Another solution is to host a larger party when you return. This event can be much more relaxed than the actual wedding. This way, people can still celebrate with you and share in your joy.

What are some unexpected perks of getting married abroad?

The destination – There are endless destinations worldwide to choose from! You can create a unique experience that you can truly call your own and the ways to do so are limitless.

Great escapism – Everyday life can be incredibly hectic. Planning for a wedding, especially without the right planner, can often feel more like a mission than the greatest day of your life. Sometimes, you just want to get away from it all. Having the wedding abroad makes it feel more like a holiday than anything else, and the second that you get on that plane, the excitement will take over and all of your worries will wash away.

More intimate – The guest lists for destination weddings are often much smaller, only involving one’s closest family & friends. This intimate experience also relieves the stress and makes it more of a fun vacation & celebration instead of a large task on your to-do list. It can also be much less stressful than large weddings where couples often feel the need to make sure every detail is perfect and every person has a great time.

Less traditional – Planning a destination wedding gives you the freedom to make it your own from start to finish. Not only do you get to choose a venue, your cake, and all of the traditional things that are included, but you also get to choose the destination that makes it unforgettable.

Unique styles – No matter which destination you choose, you can curate your dream wedding based on the location and make it a one-of-a-kind event. You can also incorporate the styles and foods of the destination into your wedding to make it that much more individual!

A vacation for everyone – Destination weddings aren’t just one-day celebrations – they often involve multiple days of celebrating and exploring the town with your loved ones! This makes for a truly unique experience that you all get to enjoy together for more than just one day, creating memories that you’ll cherish for a lifetime.

Taste and enjoy new cuisines – A destination wedding allows you and your loved ones to enjoy the cuisine of the destination you chose! Each meal becomes a unique experience where you’re all trying new foods together and immersing yourself in the location.

Your wedding pictures – If you have a destination wedding, your wedding pictures won’t only bring out the amazing event – they’ll also bring out the beauty of the location & venue you chose. This adds a truly unique element to your wedding photos and allows you to fully embrace the location! Instead of needing a photo booth or backdrop, you can bring out the venue’s atmosphere.

What are the biggest challenges faced when planning a destination wedding?

Not being able to visit the location ahead of time – The biggest challenge, for the bride and groom, is not being able to visit the place whenever they want.

Not everyone may be able to attend – If you decide to have a destination wedding, likely, some of your loved ones won’t be there to celebrate in person. But you can always find ways to include them (live stream the ceremony, have a friend post real-time photos online, etc.) while still enjoying the ceremony you’ve dreamed of.

Currency exchange – If you’re planning a destination wedding, make sure to clarify anything cost-related in your wedding professionals’ contract. In which currency will the bill be due? What is the tipping culture for this country/industry? What is the sales tax (in Italy, it is 22%)? Knowing these details will prevent you from getting a big surprise when your wedding bill comes due.

Time difference – Time zones can interfere with your mood on your wedding day; no one wants to say “I do” while they’re jet lagged! Make sure you keep time differences in mind when planning meetings with your wedding professionals and making travel arrangements.

Your marriage may not be official/Legal aspects – Different countries have different laws for performing legal marriage ceremonies. For example, in France couples can only receive a legal marriage license if they’ve lived in the country for 40 days—and while a long-term vacay in Paris sounds like a dream, it’s certainly not possible for everyone!

This is why many destination weddings are simply “symbolic” ceremonies. These weddings include all the romance and trappings of a traditional wedding, but the couple does not sign an official marriage license until they get home (or sometimes before they leave for the wedding). Make sure you take some time for this part of your wedding plans!

Logistically, how do you begin to plan a wedding abroad from the US?

Choose a location – When deciding on a destination, keep in mind that it must be safe and have all the resources you need. That charming little village you visited won’t work if it can’t accommodate all your guests. Ensure there are no travel warnings, political issues, or health concerns.

Visit in advance – I strongly recommend and encourage couples to visit the destination at least once and give themselves two to three days to explore the town if possible. This gives them an overall sense of the vibe and all the location has to offer. If this is not possible, your wedding planner can visit and report back.

Hire a professional – I can’t stress this enough. Hire a professional wedding planner/producer and make sure it’s someone who has experience with destination weddings. It’s also best to hire someone in your country who can provide the best bridge between your culture and expectations and the selected country’s culture.

Go local – Create an immersive experience by incorporating local blooms and flavors (like olive branches in Tuscany or Conch fritters in the Bahamas) to fully embrace everything in the place that captured your heart.

Check if it’s legal – Marriage laws vary between countries, so find out if it’s legal to get married in the country of your choice and if it will be valid in your local and international law. If you are set on a destination but the laws won’t allow it, consider a quick registry office wedding in your hometown, then hold a symbolic ceremony overseas.

Pick the right time of year – National holidays and peak season will affect demand for flights and accommodations, so expect to pay more during these times.

Plan additional events – A beautiful welcome reception is a nice experience for the two families to bond and get to know each other. Additional events are not required and there is no right or wrong way to plan your wedding. However, when it comes to a destination wedding, more than one event (the main ceremony) will be involved, so it’s best to plan ahead.

Consider the weather – While September may be a beautiful time to marry in Santorini, it’s monsoon season in parts of the Caribbean and the Far East. If you’re having an outdoor wedding, choosing the right season could be the difference between a sun-kissed paradise and a hurricane disaster. Make sure to have a contingency plan in case of downpours.

Check flight times – Check which days the key airlines fly to your wedding destination and leave at least 48 hours between the day you land and the date of your wedding day. Even if there’s no legal waiting period, this should give you enough time to get over any jet lag and discuss final details with your wedding planner.

Keep a checklist of your legal documents – Check all the legal documents you’re going to need for your wedding overseas. Some countries require a certificate of no impediment (CNI) from your local register office as proof of your single status. All will most likely need a copy of your birth certificate. Check Visa requirements well in advance and don’t forget to make sure you have six months left on your passport.

Tie in your honeymoon – Try and plan your wedding so that you have enough time to relax and enjoy your honeymoon. See your destination wedding as a stepping-stone to your honeymoon travels. It’s the chance to enjoy the trip of a lifetime, whether you’re planning on island hopping, going on an escape to a retreat, or doing a mix of safari and exploring the city.

What are important traits to look for in a planner when planning a wedding abroad?

Find a planner with knowledge of the locations, cultures, and planning weddings abroad. This way, you won’t spend endless hours on phone calls trying to overcome a language barrier, time difference, or cultural differences. Planning a destination wedding can seem like the most daunting task on your to-do list, but with the right guidance and support, it can be a rewarding journey. At Cristina Verger Events, we specialize in creating unforgettable destination wedding experiences, tailored to each couple’s unique vision and needs. We see the extra needs that come with destination weddings as extra things to enjoy, not burdens or tasks. We also consistently travel across continents, embracing the travel and exploration that destination weddings entail.

Cultural Sensitivity and Language Skills

If you’re planning a wedding in a different country, it’s essential to have a planner who is culturally sensitive and can communicate effectively with local vendors on your behalf. Language skills help ensure smooth communication and avoid misunderstandings. A destination wedding planner should be a “bridge” between where you live and where you are going. Our multicultural office here at Cristina Verger Events speaks 4+ languages, allowing us to easily communicate our clients’ grandest visions to vendors worldwide.

Your Planner Must Understand Your Vision

Your wedding should be a reflection of your love story, so it’s important to find a planner who understands your vision and can bring it to life. Look for someone who is receptive to your ideas and has a creative eye for transforming them into reality. Someone who, you feel, will give that something that you didn’t even know you wanted.