When you think of a destination wedding, the chances are that the first thing that comes to mind is a beach wedding. While lovely, of course, a tropical resort is far from the only option for a wedding away from home. For something a little different, consider a destination wedding in Europe.

What could be more sophisticated and exciting than getting married in an historic European city or town? Picture yourself exchanging your vows in a magnificent Renaissance cathedral or entertaining your guests in a centuries old stone castle – how romantic! Europe offers many incredible options for a destination wedding, from the vineyards of Tuscany to the green glory of Ireland to the romance and thrill of the City of Lights. In fact, the hardest part might be narrowing it down to one location!

Once you have opted for a European wedding, you will have some logistical things to work out. Certainly, you will want to send out save-the-date notices so that your guests have plenty of time to get passports and make their travel arrangements. Make life as easy as possible for your guests, by doing thorough research on airlines, hotels, ground transportation, and currency. Given the high cost of travel to Europe, the hosts may wish to consider picking up at least part of the tab for the hotel accommodations, although it is not mandatory. For the bride and groom, educate yourself on what is required to make your union legal, both in the host country and in your home state.

When planning a wedding far from home, a wedding coordinator on site is an absolute must. This goes double if you will be getting married in a non-English speaking country, if you are not fluent in the local language. The last thing that you want is to have a small mis-communication result in a major mistake! Besides, working with vendors from afar is hard enough; dealing with different time zones makes it very challenging. Luckily, it is quite easy to coordinate with your wedding planner via email. Send lots and lots of detailed pictures of the flowers and other decorations that you want to ensure that everything is as you expect on your wedding day.

Definitely indulge in local cuisine and wedding customs for a European wedding. There is no point in going all the way to Italy to get married if you are going to insist on serving the standard American “beef or chicken”! Give your guests a real taste of what makes your host country so special, whether it is the finest French wines, Irish music, or Spanish tapas for the cocktail hour.

While you need not follow the local wedding attire traditions to the letter, definitely make sure that your bridal gown and sets of jewelry suit your location. If you are being married in a breathtaking cathedral, wear a gown with a cathedral length train. For a celebration in the English countryside, look at romantic yet low-key wedding gowns and bridal jewelry sets. And of course if you intend to be a Parisian bride, nothing but the latest and most chic gown will do – ooh la la!

As if getting married in a unique and beautiful European location is not enough, you will get the pleasure of honeymooning in Europe as well! Be sure to allow yourselves enough time to properly take in at least a few places outside of the town you have selected for your wedding. One thing is for sure, a destination wedding in Europe is sure to be absolutely magical.

Author Bio: Bridget Mora writes for Silverland Jewelry about weddings, travel, and style. You will love the fabulous sets of bridal jewelry at http://silverlandjewelry.com/. All orders over $99 receive complimentary shipping, so visit today.

Category: Marriage
Keywords: bridal jewelry sets, destination wedding, European wedding, destination wedding Europe