A wedding abroad might sound like the dream – guaranteed sunshine, a smaller guest list, and a backdrop that doesn’t need decorating! But behind the beach photos and champagne toasts is a pile of admin that many couples don’t see coming. If you’re planning to say “I do” overseas, here’s the behind-the-scenes paperwork and planning that’s easy to overlook – and incredibly useful to get right.

1. Legal Requirements Can Vary Wildly

Getting married abroad isn’t always as simple as booking a venue and showing up. Each country has its own legal checklist — and you’ll need to tick all the boxes for the marriage to be valid back home.

You might be asked for:

• A Certificate of No Impediment (proof you're free to marry)
• Original birth certificates
• Valid passports
• Proof of residency or previous marital status
• Documents translated into the local language
• Apostille stamps or legalised documents
• A local officiant or licensed venue

And depending on where you're heading, you may need to be in the country well in advance:

• France: Often requires at least 30 days’ residency before the ceremony (unless you marry in a town where you have family).
• Italy: Needs a Declaration of Intent to Marry, signed in front of a consulate or registrar — plus local paperwork and translations.
• Greece: You must be in the country at least 8 days before the wedding to finalise paperwork with local authorities.
• Mexico: Requires blood tests, plus four witnesses and documents translated into Spanish.
• Spain: Generally requires legal residency or strong local ties (e.g. family property or close relatives living there). For many UK couples, this means having a symbolic ceremony in Spain and legally marrying in the UK.

By contrast, some destinations are known for being more relaxed:

• Cyprus: Often chosen for its straightforward process and quick turnaround.
• The Caribbean: Many islands have simple legal steps and short residency requirements — ideal for a stress-free option in the sun.

Bottom line: don’t assume anything. Check local embassy or consulate advice as early as possible and allow time for things to be posted, translated, or legally certified.

2. Your UK Marriage Certificate Doesn’t Automatically Follow You Abroad

A ceremony abroad doesn’t automatically mean your marriage is recognised back in the UK. It depends on whether you followed all the correct legal steps in the destination country.

For this reason, many couples:

• Legally marry in the UK first (a quiet registry office job)
• Then hold a symbolic ceremony abroad (which feels like the “real” wedding)

It might feel like extra admin, but it can simplify insurance, name changes, and even honeymoon bookings.

3. Name Change? It’s Not Always Straightforward

Changing your name after an overseas wedding can be trickier than expected. If your marriage certificate is in another language or isn’t formatted in a way UK authorities accept, you could run into delays.

To avoid issues:

• Get a certified English translation of the certificate
• Make sure it includes full names, dates, and official stamps
• Check that it’s accepted by the HM Passport Office before applying for any documents

It’s worth calling your local registry office or passport helpline to check exactly what they’ll need from you.

4. Wedding Insurance Is Even More Important Abroad

Many think travel insurance will do the job, but standard travel cover often doesn’t include wedding-related risks. And when you're dealing with suppliers, venues, and flights across borders, there’s more that can go wrong.

Look for a wedding insurance provider that offers cover for destination weddings, and make sure to check what is and isn’t included.

5. Some Documents Need to Be Sent the Old-Fashioned Way

Not everything can be emailed. Some foreign authorities or wedding planners will request physical documents, such as:

• Original birth certificates
• Affidavits or sworn statements
• Certified translations

These may need to be posted by international courier and can take time to arrive or clear customs. Always use tracked delivery and keep a scanned copy of everything you send - also worth thinking about getting duplicates - just in case anything gets lost in transit!

6. Banking, Transfers, and Time Zones

You might be booking suppliers in a completely different time zone, and they may only accept bank transfers or payments through platforms you don’t regularly use.

Watch out for:

• International bank transfer fees
• Currency conversion charges
• Cut-off times for deposits or payments
• Agree on clear deadlines with suppliers, always ask for receipts, and keep a log of everything paid in case there's any issues later.

7. Small Details That Are Easy to Forget

Some final bits you’ll be glad you thought about in advance:

• Dress travel – how you’ll transport your outfit, whether it needs steaming on arrival, and if customs might inspect it
• Local permits – some venues (especially beaches or public spaces) need permission to host weddings
• Translation support – not all vendors speak English fluently, so a bilingual planner or translator can be helpful on the day

Getting married abroad can be incredible — but it comes with a little more admin to sort; from legalities to overseas logistics! But do the research upfront and you’ll give yourself plenty of time to get everything sorted, including time to sort the inevitable cross-border hiccups!