For those couples who long to wed further afield but aren’t sure how or where to start, the online destination wedding platform The White Edit is undoubtedly the place to go. The relatively new site, which is seriously easy to navigate and ticks all of our aesthetic buttons, was launched after it took Jasmine White and her husband eight months of ferocious googling to finally stumble upon the overseas venue of their dreams.
Here to ensure you don’t have the same dispiriting quest to find your destination hotspot, Jasmine speaks to us about all things destination weddings including her top tips for planning and the most sought-after venues for the new season.
#1 For anyone that hasn’t heard of The White Edit, tell us what you do.
“Hello! *waves!* My name is Jasmine White and I’m one half of the husband and wife duo behind The White Edit. The White Edit is our shiny new online platform, designed to help couples with the search for that perfect, knock-your-guests-socks-off, one of a kind, destination wedding venue.”
#2 What inspired you to start the site?
“I started out in the industry running a beautiful new wedding venue on the South Coast of England. Fast-forward a few years and my own wedding & events planning company was in full swing and I myself was a bride to be. My husband and I planned our own wedding in Spain back in 2018 and it was during this process that we realised just how difficult it is for couples from the UK to actually find many of the wonderful venues that Europe and the rest of the world has to offer.”
“We couldn’t help but notice a substantial gap in the market for a comprehensive but suitably stylish platform that could help streamline and refresh the process of finding and booking the perfect destination wedding venue. We created The White Edit to plug that gap with an inspiring, informative and (we hope you’ll agree) beautiful format.”
#3 What type of venues can we find on The White Edit?
“We tend to use the term ‘venue’ pretty loosely. Our venue collection consists of everything from established wedding venues – think hotel vibe or similar – to more unique venues – think more along the lines of warehouse, vineyard, farm or even temple ruins.”
#4 What are your top tips for planning a destination wedding?
The Location
“When deciding on a location it’s best to keep it simple. Think about who you are as a couple, are there places you’ve travelled to and loved? A destination wedding is incredibly special because it’s a rare opportunity to gather your closest friends and family in a space that means something to you both. What is often a single day in the UK can become a three day wedding weekend or even a week-long celebration. It’s a whole experience. Choose a location that screams you guys, but also take into consideration the ease of travel for your guests to your chosen location. We’d recommend no more than a couple of hours from the nearest airport and it’s best to suggest a few local accommodation options, all at different price points.”
“If you need a helping hand to choose your location why not hop on over to our Destinations Guide and check out what makes each destination so great.”
The Venue
Plug! Obviously, we’re going to tell you that there is a fabulous platform called The White Edit that you must check out. But in all seriousness, we’ve done the majority of the legwork for you, selecting the best of the destination bunch. And we have more gorgeous venues being added all the time so keep your eyes peeled!
Hiring a Pro
“Find a wedding planner who specialises in destination weddings, or alternatively one who has experience in the local area to your chosen venue. Trust us, some things are best left to the professionals! Not only will this save you countless hours on the phone and back & forth emails (usually struggling through a language barrier) with suppliers, but it will also help making those big executive decisions from miles away, all that bit easier. We’re opting for more bridechilla than bridezilla. If a Planner isn’t quite in the budget, we’d suggest opting for a venue that has an in-house co-ordinator with fabulous reviews.”
Wedding Legalities
“The legalities of getting married abroad differ per country, so dependent on the type of Ceremony you’re after (civil, religious or humanist) you’ll need to research the relevant documentation & legal requirements needed for the type of service. This part can be somewhat long winded and a little tricky, so we’ve put together some downloadable guides to walk you through the process. You can find these guides on our website, just hop on over to the destination in question and scroll down to the bottom of the page.”
Suppliers
“Shop local and ask your venue for recommendations. Not only can this save you on the often dwindling budget, but it also affords you the luxury of a local supplier with experience in your chosen area. Side note – if you’re bringing in any suppliers from home, do expect to cover their travel & accommodation.”
#5 Which destinations look to be most popular for 2022/23?
Italy
“If there’s one European destination that nails it on the romance front it’s got to be Italy. From the painterly landscapes of Tuscany to the colourful architecture of the Amalfi Coast and the moped-filled streets of Milan, this land is designed for lovers. Whether you’re looking for rustic charm, a sophisticated setting or simply a classic Italian wedding banquet (which can be anything from 4 to 15 courses might we add), getting married in Italy really delivers on every front.”
Venue wise the 19th century estate of Dimora Delle Balze is a straight up stop-you-in-your-tracks kind of venue. This beautiful upscale farm stay exudes quite the exclusive charm and luxurious character. Or, nestled in its own private bay in Sicily, La Tonnara di Scopello was originally conceived as an ancient fishing village. With beautiful gardens and rustic courtyards, this location boasts a number of cool spots to hold your ceremony and reception, all right by the water.”
Greece
“Whether you’ve always dreamed of a Big Fat Greek Wedding or instead crave an elegant hilltop ceremony set against a dramatic sunset, the landscapes of mainland Greece and its islands certainly provide. From a village in Santorini to the beaches of Zakynthos, a Cretan farm or a mainland winery, a destination wedding in Greece is steeped in romance, history and indulgence.”
The Courti Estate is an under the radar rustic bolthole with bucket loads of charisma and countless insta-perfect spots. Set in an 18th Century Venetian estate with its own chapel, the family owned manor house is surrounded by 10 acres of olive groves and has mountain views to one side and the seascapes to the other.”
Discover a whole host of inspiring destination wedding venues with The White Edit’s online curation.
Explore our hand-picked venues here at Your Day.
