A destination wedding can be a dream come true for many couples. Whether it’s a cliffside ceremony in Santorini, a beach wedding in Goa, or a mountaintop elopement in Aspen, these celebrations offer a magical escape from the ordinary. But here’s the reality: planning a wedding miles—or continents—away from home isn’t simple. It demands logistics, local knowledge, coordination, and a network of reliable vendors on the ground. That’s where destination wedding packages come in.
For destination wedding vendors, this presents a huge opportunity. If you’re a vendor looking to expand your reach, learning how to become a destination wedding planner or offer specialised services in popular destinations can be your key to growth. You can offer customised wedding packages that simplify planning for your clients while expanding your own brand footprint.
By signing up with online wedding portals, you gain access to a wider variety of clients actively seeking your services. When you know how to customise your destination wedding packages and partner with hotels or resorts for seamless execution, you transform from a vendor into a trusted experience creator. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about how to become a destination wedding planner and how to customise your destination wedding packages, no matter what service you provide.
How to Offer Destination Wedding Packages: Step-by-Step Guide for Vendors
Breaking into the destination wedding market is exciting, but it requires structure, strategy, and strong partnerships.
Step 1: Start with a Solid Business Plan
Before you offer any package, you need a plan that covers:
- Your niche: Are you a full-service planner or a speciality vendor (florist, caterer, etc.)?
- Target clientele: Luxury weddings? Budget-friendly? Elopements?
- Pricing structure: Will you offer flat-rate packages, custom quotes, or tiered options?
- Travel costs & logistics: How will you charge for flights, accommodation, per diem, and transport of materials?
- Legal & tax requirements: International work might require specific documentation or permits.
Step 2: Choose Your Target Destination(s)
Not all locations are equal when it comes to destination weddings. You need to pick places that:
- Have high demand for weddings (e.g., Goa, Bali, Tuscany, Cancun, Santorini)
- Are accessible with reasonable travel infrastructure
Step 3: Register with Destination Wedding Planners and Online Portals
If you want to reach couples planning weddings in far-off locations, visibility is everything.
Online Wedding Portals: These portals allow you to list your services, upload photos, offer destination wedding packages, and appear in searches for specific locations. Couples use these sites to find destination wedding vendors.
Destination Wedding Planners: Find established destination wedding planners and pitch yourself as a reliable vendor they can refer or include in their packages. Show your:
- Portfolio
- Experience in the destination or similar venues
- Flexibility with travel and coordination
The more planners know and trust you, the more likely they are to bring you on board when clients ask for packaged services.
Step 4: Build a Network of Vendors in Your Target Locations
You cannot deliver a seamless wedding in a new location without on-ground support. The best way to scale is by forming strategic tie-ups with local vendors who:
- Know the local rules, customs, and logistics
- Can offer backup in case of delays or emergencies
- Provide services you can’t carry (like heavy decor, local transportation, etc.)
Step 5: Craft All-Inclusive Destination Wedding Packages
Couples love convenience. Instead of selling individual services, create destination wedding packages that bundle key elements into one price.
What to include:
- Venue booking assistance
- Decor and design (custom themes or packages)
- Catering and menu planning
- Floral arrangements
- Photography/videography
- On-site coordinator
Tips to Customise Your Destination Wedding Packages:
- Create 3-4 tiers (Essential, Classic, Luxury, Ultra-Luxury)
- Offer location-based packages (e.g., “Goa Beach Bliss,” “Tuscany Vineyard Romance”)
- Include optional add-ons: pre-wedding shoot, boat party, fireworks, cultural shows
- Mention what’s included and what’s not—transparency builds trust
- Always emphasise flexibility: “We’ll customise your destination wedding package to fit your dream.”
Step 7: Collect Reviews and Refine Your Offerings
After each wedding, request a review and ask what worked well and what could improve. These insights help you:
- Tweak your packages
- Understand what different markets want
- Provide social proof on online portals
- Showcase high-quality photos and videos from past events to attract the next wave of couples.
How Different Wedding Vendors Can Craft Destination Wedding Packages
Whether you’re a florist, photographer, planner, or decorator, here’s how to build your destination wedding packages that attract clients and grow your business.
1. Photographers & Videographers
What to Package:
Couples want wedding photographers to document their big day in a way that reflects both the moment and the destination.
Package Tiers Example:
- Standard Coverage: Ceremony + portraits (4–6 hours)
- Full-Day Coverage: Getting ready through reception (10–12 hours)
- 3-Day Destination Coverage: Welcome dinner, wedding day, and post-wedding shoot
- Cinematic Package: Photo + video, drone footage, teaser + highlight reels
Add-ons:
- Travel and accommodation fees are built in
- Pre-wedding shoots at iconic spots
- Album or photo book delivery
2. Florists
What to Package:
Destination florists must work within the constraints of the climate, season, and local availability.
Package Tiers Example:
- Essential Florals: Bridal bouquet, basic ceremony florals
- Signature Package: Includes centerpieces, aisle markers, and table florals
- All-In Bloom: Everything above + welcome dinner florals, farewell brunch, and floral favours
Add-ons:
- Sourcing rare or imported flowers
- Coordination with the venue for installation/removal
- Seasonal or region specific flowers
3. Caterers & Bakers
What to Package:
Food is a major highlight of any wedding, and at destinations, it also becomes an immersive cultural experience.
Package Tiers Example:
- Buffet Package: Local-style buffet meal for the reception
- Plated Dinner Package: Full-service three-course meal
- Gourmet Destination Experience: Custom menus, regional pairings, welcome brunch, and after-party snacks
Add-ons:
- Interactive food stations
- Cultural menu customisation (e.g., vegan menu or a destination place’s special menu)
- Multi-day catering packages
4. Decorators
What to Package:
Decor sets the mood—and in a new location, it must blend with the venue’s architecture and natural beauty.
Package Tiers Example:
- Base Decor: Tablespaces, linens, candles, basic floral arrangements
- Luxury Theme Package: Full themed experience with entryway, photo ops, and props
- Complete Venue Transformation: Custom-designed spaces across all events
Add-ons:
- Lighting design
- Transport and setup of rentals
- Cultural theme sets (e.g., Rajasthani royal, Tuscan vineyard)
5. DJs & Live Entertainers
What to Package:
Music brings energy to any wedding—especially destination weddings with multiple events.
Package Tiers Example:
- Wedding Day DJ: Ceremony and reception
- Full Weekend Set: Welcome party, wedding, and after-party
Add-ons:
- Equipment rental coordination
- Destination-based performers (e.g., fire dancers, flamenco artists)
Final Thoughts: The Power of Packaging
Whether you’re a planner, florist, caterer, photographer, or decorator, offering destination wedding packages isn’t just about services—it’s about experiences. The more thoughtfully you customise your destination wedding packages, the more value you provide, and the more your business grows.
Becoming part of the global destination wedding industry means mastering coordination, communication, and creativity. But if you can do that—while showing up reliably and delivering excellence—you won’t just be a vendor. You’ll be a sought-after creator of dream weddings around the world.