destination wedding photographer | UK, Europe, Worldwide
Hi, it’s me! :-)
Since the destination weddings are back (and cheers to that!) I thought I’d write a few words about this amazing branch of wedding planning. First - why would you plan a destination wedding?
The simple answer is - because you’ve got the weather and nature and all that beauty - guaranteed. I mean - UK weddings are great and I still shoot majority of my weddings in UK. But, and that’s a huge ‘but’ for some people (me including) - you have to be prepared for sun and rain, storm or just the whole-day-gentle-showe-kinda-weather.
The longer answer now. Destination weddings are a way to enjoy your day (or rather - at least a weekend) in one beautiful place with all your guests - friends and family. Everyone in one hotel, by one pool, having a pre-wedding dinner, post-wedding brunch etc etc. It’s just the best, if you ask me! It’s just so relaxing and chilled to not to pop into a wedding for an afternoon and part of the evening, but to immerse yourself in the celebrations. Did I mention the weather? ;-)
So, if you are on the fence - go for it, I promise - you will not regret!
Now, how to find your perfect destination wedding photographer? I always advice couples to talk to their potential photographers. Of course, it’s of utmost importance to love their work, after all - the photography is the reason you hire them. But you have to have a similar vibe, you have to understand each other and ..like each other! With the destination wedding, you are going to spend a lot of time together, they will be like one of your wedding guests (but with two cameras). When I’m at a destination wedding, in Marrakesh or Italy, I always arrive at least one day beforehand (especially these days, with all the travel delays and cancellations) and if there’s a pre-wedding dinner, I for sure would pop in, take a few shots, chat to your guests, so everyone feels confident with me the next day and no one shies aways from my cameras.
Another thing is - from my perspective - you don’t have to necessary have a photographer that’s been to your destination before. I absolutely love travelling and my eye is the freshest in new places. So I guarantee it doesn't not matter if I’ve been to Sicily already, if that’s when you plan to get married. I’ve been to other Italian destinations and the fact that I don’t have any photos yet from this particular location really doesn’t matter. Quite the opposite, really, I feel like I’m the most creative, excited to be shooting and focused at the destinations I’ve never been before. My photographer’s eye just reacts differently to new places - it’s a kind of uberfocus that icomes really handy when I have to stay creatively fresh for 12 hours :-)
I have shot weddings in Marrakesh, Italy, Greece, Argentina and Spain and if you want me to go to Cyprus - I will not say no!
Destination wedding photographer cost - am I right that that would be your next question? I can’t speak for other wedding photographers, but I charge my ‘normal’ wedding day rate, plus of course travel and accommodation. I made a brochure explaining the cost of a destination wedding photography and if you drop me aline HERE, I will send it to you to look through. I try to make it easier for my couples and book my flights and accommodation myself (no worries, I don’t need a 5* hotel and a first class flight! But I do need to take into account that I will be travelling with a lot of equipment that would need to stay with me in the cabin. And the hotel needs to be very close to yours). to make it even easier - my destination wedding pricing has it all in it, so it’s simpler and easy to book. If you need a custom made package, we can definitely chat about that too!
Now, the best destination photographer has to love travelling, that’s a rule! Because if they don’t - having to fly to work, stay in a hotel etc - would be a nightmare. Fortunately, I do love to travel. It’s been always my dream to travel the world, and I consider myself very, very lucky to be able to do it for work!
So, whether you’ll looking for a destination wedding photographer in Amalfi coast (some of the pics above are from the gorgeous wedding I’ve shot in Amalfi coast), or if you’re planning an elopement in Dubai - I’ll be there!
Marta Ilardo - best destination photographer. Photographed weddings in Marrakesh, Amalfi Coast, France and Greece.