Choosing a wanderlust-inducing location for your destination wedding is one sure-fire way to guarantee your guests have a great time. But what else can you do to plan the most epic party ever? Whether you’re looking for something laid-back and low-key or all-out, as Cyprus and Ibiza wedding photographers we have experienced them all at destination weddings and here, we’re sharing our pick of the best with you.
Have the time of your lives with your favourite people – take inspiration from these nine destination wedding entertainment ideas.
1 Culture fix
What was it that first enchanted you about your destination? Beautiful vineyards, fabulous folk culture, an awesome live music scene? Take these ideas and run with them! Give your guests a taste of this in your entertainment plans.
You could style your cocktail hour as a wine tasting, feature a performance by local dancers before dinner, or even invite musicians to accompany every part of your day, from violinists at the ceremony, to an oh-so smooth sax as the Champagne is poured, and a floor-filling band at sundown. You could even introduce circus vibes with a performance your guests definitely won’t forget. Dream big and go for it, you’re only going to get the opportunity once!
2 Floor it
The dance floor, we mean! As Cyprus and Ibiza wedding photographers, we’re somewhat of an expert on what makes an epic party and it all begins on the dancefloor. Whether you’re celebrating a luxe private villa wedding or alfresco beneath a natural canopy, now is the time to turn it up.
Evoke an Ibiza-worthy vibe with a live DJ taking over the decks and guest musicians joining the line-up to perform a set. Some of the hottest dance experiences mix and match the two. You could even start with our very own Aimie Flack. Intrigued? More on that here.
3 Poolside cocktails
So many of the Cyprus wedding venues we rave about offer you a luxe setting beside the water. Where could be more chic for your cocktail reception, than served from an open-air bar beside a clifftop infinity pool, or a poolside oasis surrounded by palm trees? Cue the laid-back tunes, turn up your playlist and get those glasses clinking!
This is also the perfect time to embrace your inner sommelier and work in your favourite wines, cocktails or even craft your own! And for Pinterest-worthy details, don’t forget a dress-it-yourself garnish station for all the colour and pretty.
4 Brunch time
For lots of couples celebrating destination weddings, it’s the perfect invitation to let your celebrations sprawl over several days. Picture a long weekend of all-out luxury, total romance and all your favourite people around, and you’ve got the right idea!
We love to join our couples in the pre- and post-wedding celebrations too, whether you envision a laid-back beachside barbecue, a sun-kissed private boat tour or even a festival night. Name it, and as your destination wedding photographer, we’ll be there to capture the magic! Check out Antonio and Birger’s breath-taking wedding weekend for real-life inspiration.
5 Enjoy the ride
If your destination wedding involves two different venues for ceremony and celebration, then you have another golden opportunity to get your guests in the party spirit.
A vintage car convoy, off-road Jeeps or a huge party bus promise the perfect way to deliver your guests to the next location, all while soaking up the stunning views that drew you to your destination.
And of course, we’ll be there to document every laughter-filled moment for memories that throw you right back to the moment when you look back upon them.
6 Mouth-watering moments
Cards on the table: a huge part of every wedding is the menu, and it’s something your guests will be seriously looking forwards to. Whether you want to make your wedding breakfast stand out or work in some surprises to the evening offering, then live is the way to go.
Live cooking could take the form of a sizzling barbecue to tempt your guests over to a chill-out corner, or a buzz of different stations serving up treats from all your favourite places. Tie them in with mood lighting and a hot playlist, and you’re onto a super cool experience for all the senses.
7 Let me entertain you
As the couple getting married, you’re the stars of the show – but there are strings attached, and one of them is hosting. Destination weddings bring together family and friends from all corners of the globe. Some will be familiar faces and some may not have met before, so it’s only natural to worry about making sure everyone feels comfortable and gets on. That’s where ice breakers come in, and one we love is a magician at your drinks reception.
Hot on the heels of the ceremony, this is the first moment your guests begin to mingle. You’ll be busy soaking up all those congratulations, so having an entertainer on hand to work the room and give guests a talking point takes the pressure off and makes introductions effortless.
8 Strike a pose
Remember that as your destination wedding photographers, we won’t only be capturing dreamy images of you. We’ll be doing our thing capturing the energy, the excitement and the emotion of your guests too.
That makes photography moments a great way to get your guests involved in more than one large group photo. Throwing your bouquet, your confetti moment, a sparkler send-off – these are all great group moments to share with family and friends. But there’s even more on the cards for destination weddings.
Colour it up with smoke flares by sea cliffs, make a grand dash to all dip your toes in the sea, head to the desert to dance beneath the sunset – it’s all to play for with destination weddings, wherever in the world you choose. Get the lowdown on why we think Cyprus and Ibiza should definitely be on your radar.
9 Light it up
A totally epic way to bring the night to an awesome close, we are seriously stoked when our couples opt for fireworks at their destination weddings. Time it with your first or final dance for amazing effects, kicking the party into full swing, or forming the finale of dreams.
Feeling inspired to get married abroad? We can’t wait to hear about your vision and help you to totally nail it! Reach out and let us know what you’re dreaming of and we’ll join your A-team to make the magic last. Discover more about what we do as award-winning destination wedding photographers and the once-in-a-lifetime locations we could take you to. And for even more swoon-inducing inspo, head over to our Instagram.