Why we use wedding packages abroad.

The Bridal Consultant is one of the original planners of overseas weddings for UK couples.
When the company was founded 21 years ago the industry was in its infancy with very few companies specialising in helping couples get married abroad. We decided to use our extensive knowledge of travel with our events management background and develop a business that offered UK couples a more ‘hands on’ customer focused experience when choosing a wedding abroad over a wedding at home.

In the early years we we’re constantly adapting the way we worked, as there were very few businesses like ours there wasn’t much research or experience to pull from.

We we’re always looking for ways to improve our clients experience and satisfaction with their planning journey and of course their wedding day. One thing became clear from day one and that was clients needed an idea from the outset of how much their wedding was going to cost.

Back in 2004 it was common for couples to use a travel agent who would offer a ‘wedding ceremony only’ service leaving the couples to then source any extra suppliers needed and organise their wedding reception, interestingly the wedding reception being the more expensive part of the wedding.

What looked initially like a low cost wedding would soon turn into one costing 100’s if not 1000’s more once all the additions where added on.

We wanted to work differently from the outset.

We decided to develop our own range of wedding packages abroad as a way of giving our couples a clearer idea of upfront costs for both wedding and reception. The packages include the basic costs of the ceremony and reception along with any essential legal work, the planning services and on the day team and extras such as bride and groom flowers, photographs and transport to the venue.

Essentially everything the couple would need to get married abroad, along with the help of an expert team to guide them through the plans.

Over the years our wedding packages abroad have grown more detailed and tailored for each destination and venue, now we understand what is popular in each destination and for each venue, we the use them as the basic structure for each wedding we plan.

Today we try to keep the structure each of our wedding packages abroad as similar as possible so couples can compare one venue to another, this is relatively tricky considering each venue has different terms and conditions but it’s as close as we can get it.

How to use the packages to assist in your budgeting.

It’s no surprise that the most expensive part of any wedding is the venue hire, food and drinks. These parts are always included in our packages, drinks we only include if they are compulsory as us Brits still tend to prefer a cash bar.

For budgeting purposes we suggest that the basic wedding and reception package not take up more than 70 to 80% of your total budget.

So for example, if you’ve a total budget of 15,000euros, the wedding and reception package should not be more than 10,500 to 12,000euro. Aim for the lower amount if you have big visions when it comes to flowers/decor.

This way you’ll avoid having to stretch things too tight when it comes to considering extras, or having to compromise too much, then not ending up with the day you envisioned as your budget just wont stretch far enough.

Having an additional 20 to 30% of your budget left over means you can have fun when tailoring your wedding day. You can really make the day unique to you and although you don’t need to add any extras, most of our couples do, it could be an extra time with the DJ or live music for the ceremony or even bridesmaids bouquets.

Having the option of doing this makes all the difference, even if you never use it.

How to compare different wedding packages abroad.

This can be tricky as it involves looking at all the finer details of each package, and there is really no way to get around this. If a couple are struggling between two venues, we’ll suggest a Zoom chat or phone call with one of our planners to look at both wedding venues and packages in close detail. We can use our thorough knowledge of each venue and package to point out the key differences so the couple can really compare.

This is only really necessary when you’re completely stuck between two venues and are making a pro’s and con’s list. Luckily it doesn’t happen often, I tend to find couples usually fall head first for their perfect venue once they find it.

Here I’ve listed the items you should pay special attention too.

  • Duration of hire of venue – this can vary quite a lot and adding extra hours can become costly especially for venues that charge by the hour. If the venue has a compulsory open bar you’ll also need to add this for the extra duration of hire time too.
  • Drinks Packages – as mentioned above, these are compulsory at some venues, for others it’s optional – the price difference can be quite substantial.
    If you prefer to have a cash bar, then consider drinks prices, in some 5 star luxury venues the price of a drink can be substantial, make sure your guests will be ok paying these prices, there’s no fun having guests too afraid to purchase drinks at your wedding due to them being too expensive.
  • Restrictions on suppliers you can use – does the venue insist you use their own suppliers. This might be the case with your DJ/Entertainment, especially in areas where there are noise restrictions. If you wish to provide your own band/DJ this may not be possible.
    Does the venue allow live music? Does this have to be acoustic or can music be amplified?
  • Guest Transfers – is the venue remote, do you have to provide transfers or can the venue be easily found/located allowing guests to make their own way.
  • Menus – does the venue tailor menus? Do they cater for special diets/children. More importantly do they offer the style of food/dining you want.
  • Accommodation – Is accommodation at the venue necessary to get married there? This is not something that comes up often in our packages as we don’t work with many hotels, but if you’re marrying at a hotel find out if you have to stay there to get married at the venue, or if a percentage of your guests need to stay too.

Wedding Packages Abroad – make it unique.

When we start our first stage planning we really get stuck into the details of each wedding, to decide what each couples priorities are and where they wish to spend more of their budget, or less.

The package is used as a foundation on which to build their wedding day, we take each element of the wedding package such as the flowers and ask the couple to send us their ideas, this could be the bouquet, buttonholes, bridesmaids and bridal party flowers, to the decoration they want for the gazebo, the table flower centrepieces they imagine, flowers at the entrance, maybe on the guest book table, or to decorate a sweet table.

More recently we’ve even been asked to hang flowers from trees, to decorate welcome signs and table plans and even create a flower wall that couples can use to take photos against.

The sky is the limit, as long as your budget matches it!

Flowers can be expensive and their not to everyones taste, we once had a groom with a flower allergy which was challenging when it came to finding ways to decorate the venue.  In the end we used lots of candles and greenery.

With each couple we take ideas, we request quotes and we find what works within budget and for anything over budget we’ll look at alternatives. This is the fun part of the planning, and due to the way our packages work, you can allocate a flower budget from the outset for any extras your considering.

It’s all completely optional and every wedding is unique, and that’s what we love.

This process is repeated for every part of the day, with the photographer we look at the style of images you’d like, the duration of your time with them, a 2nd location photo shoot, even pre/post photo shoots. Or with entertainment, when and where the couple want it, the style of entertainment etc there are a hundred different things to plan and consider and we walk our couples through each.

Food and Drink is often a key element of each wedding, some really prioritise this part of the day, others have a very casual approach to food, it’s interesting for us as planners to see how each wedding is moulded and shaped to suit our unique couples.

It’s one of my favourite parts

Once we’ve made all the adjustments, agreed any extras it’s then time to put the whole day together, at this point the couple will have a good idea of exactly how their day will be. This is when things really start becoming real!

Deciding between using wedding packages abroad or going fully tailor made

Some couples prefer to stay away from wedding packages feeling they are too restrictive and they want to feel that their wedding is completely tailored to them. I hope the above assures these couples that even though we use wedding packages no two weddings we plan are the same.

The power in using a wedding package is that you know where you’re starting from, so you can plan with confidence. The result is having an amazing wedding you can afford and a stress free planning experience.

However if after saying all this you’re still tempted to go down the fully tailored option, here’s a few questions you should ask.

  • Make sure you add VAT and local taxes where applicable.
  • Ensure all your suppliers provide you with a contract with full details of your order and pricing.
  • Ask if any annual increases will apply if your wedding is booked more than a year ahead.
  • Ask for dates to finalised orders and make deposits and final payments.
  • Speak to your venue about any restrictions that apply to sourcing and hiring your own suppliers or services and ensure you communicate any restrictions to your suppliers.
  • Make a budget with your best ‘gestimates’ and update it frequently. Make sure you have at least a 10% contingency in the case of price increases, unexpected costs and exchange rate fluctuations.

One of our wedding packages abroad explained in detail.

Here’s an example of a wedding package for one of our most popular venues in Greece. The notes at the end are points to consider when looking at a venue in detail or comparing to another venue.

T H E  N E C E S S A R I E S 

UK based wedding planner to arrange all the details of your wedding before you arrive in Crete for your wedding.

Help with all wedding paperwork to ensure your wedding is legal.

Unlimited emails, SKYPE and phone calls.

Wedding information pack to help with your wedding planning

Private wedding coordinator to stay to coordinate evening events

Community fees

Marriage certificates

Pre-wedding meeting at your hotel

Visit the venue to see the ceremony and reception areas on arrival.

Escorted visit to the town hall to complete the legal process

Legalisation of the marriage document with apostille stamp

Delivery of marriage certificate before you leave Crete

Translation of 5 papers including final marriage certificate

Administration fees & VAT

A C C O M M O D A T I O N

Wedding night accommodation for the bride and groom in the White Suite at the villa (one night)

C E R E M O N Y   &   R E C E P T I O N   S E T  U P  /  D E C O R A T I O N

Rustic Wooden Arch with fresh flower decoration and drapes.
White Tiffany-style wedding chairs
Centerpiece – a traditional arrangement of olive branches in a glass vase for each dinner table

F L O W E R S 

Bride’s bouquet in any choice of colours, local flowers

Matching single buttonhole for groom

P H O T O G R A P H S

Professional photographer starting at the ceremony for 2 hours.

All photos given to you in digital format (via link)

LIVE MUSIC

Saxophonist to play at the ceremony

C A K E 

Traditional Greek style wedding cake   (enough to feed all)

D R I N K S 

Welcome Bar

Welcome drink of fruit cocktail, Fresh Lemonade, Orange juice, Raki (local drink)

Drinks with Dinner

Soft Drinks (assorted), Red & White Wine in carafes, Beer, Raki (local drink), Still bottled water

Following Dinner – unlimited drinks from dinner until end of evening

A bar area will be set up and serviced by 2 barmen providing all necessary equipment, soft drinks and juices.

2 bartenders, 2m portable bar, full bar equipment, transport cost

Supplies (grocery, fruits, ice cubes, printed menu, plastic cups, plastic shots, straws etc.)

Refreshments, juices, fruit purée

Standard Spirts

Beers

Wine – red, white and rose

Sparkling wine

4 cocktails of your choice from the provided list (ask for details)

W E D D I N G  M E N U 

Bread basket with Breadsticks, bread

Appetizer

(Served on platters for 4 people)

Platter with a variety of savory tarts, canapes, dried fig and grapes

Beetroot salad with yoghurt, apple and walnuts

Cold pasta (farfalle or rotini pasta) with fresh tomato, olive oil and basil

Savory tart with mushroom, assorted cheeses and béchamel

Stuffed mushroom with smoked ham and graviera cheese

Pork bites and assorted peppers cooked in wine sauce

Main Course

(Served on platters for 4 people)

Verde salad with five green vegetables, sun dried tomato, dried fig, mozzarella cubes and honey sauce

Traditional roasted lamb with oven potatoes

Dessert buffet

Seasonal fruits

Variety of treats

Ice cream flavours

E N T E R T A I N M E N T 

Resident DJ for 8 hours

Dance floor lighting 2 luminous led bars with bases .Each one comes with 4 spotlights RGB colour!

L I G H T I N G
Exotic lighting after sunset with 30m of fairy lights twisted around the trunks of 10 Palm Trees will give you a fascinating background effect that will light up the venue.

P R I C E  F O R  30  P E O P L E | 16,639euros

P R I C E  F O R  4 0  P E O P L E | 17,845euros

P R I C E  F O R  6 0  P E O P L E | 20,407euros

T A K E  N O T E

To find out how much this is in your currency, use this tool 

This package may alter according to the number of persons, ask for details.

Venue Hire, DJ and lighting prices are valid up to and including 2026 other price in the package are for 2025 and may increase for subsequent years
There are no transfers included in this package but can be arranged

There is no end time at the venue – so you can party until you are ready to drop!

Ceremonies can take place anytime but due to the heat the suggested time is 6pm – DJ will then paly until 2am (DJ can be extended by the hour for an additional fee)

Photographs included in our brochures are of a variety of weddings and are for inspiration purposes and are not necessarily representative of what is included in this sample costing, please see package details for what exactly is included, please ask for more details if you need clarification.

And that’s it!

We hope you’ve found this article useful in deciding if using wedding packages abroad would suit you or not, if you’ve got any further questions our team are always on hand to help and advise, just send us a Whatsapp or  call on 07460 734428 or email us on [email protected].

If you’d like to view our wonderful selection of wedding venues click here. each has a sample brief package descriptions and cost for that venue.

READ NEXT – find out more about our wedding packages in these destinations.

Santorini

Zakynthos

Rhodes 

Crete 

Mallorca

Beach wedding ideas and their packages

For more information about our services in general, please click here 

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