Destination Wedding Planning

Destination Wedding Planning

You live in NYC — but your dream wedding? That’s somewhere else. Maybe on a beach in Mexico. A vineyard in California. A castle in Ireland. Or maybe just upstate where the trees actually change color. Whatever the destination, planning a wedding outside the city (or outside the country) is no small job. It’s exciting… but it’s also kinda overwhelming.

 

That’s where we come in. At MJ Wedding Planner NYC, our Destination Wedding Planning service helps New York couples get married anywhere in the world — without the stress, confusion, or “uhh, what now?” moments. You tell us where, and we handle the how.

We're NYC-Based, But We Plan Everywhere

We’re not a travel agency. We’re not a big corporate chain. We’re a local NYC wedding planning team, based right in Midtown Manhattan at 70 W 48th St, New York, NY 10036. And we’ve been helping couples plan destination weddings since 2002.

 

What makes us different? We live here. You live here. We can meet face-to-face, go over design boards in person, talk timelines without the time zones. No chasing someone in another country. No wondering who’s in charge. You get a local team that understands NYC couples and how to pull off a wedding somewhere far from home.

Popular Destination Spots We've Planned In

Over the years, we’ve helped NYC couples get married in places like:

  • Tulum, Mexico – barefoot on the beach with a mariachi band and fresh ceviche

  • Lake Como, Italy – full weekend celebration with boats, wine, and custom gelato carts

  • Hudson Valley, NY – vineyard wedding with sunset views and farm-to-table menus

  • Bali – intimate cliffside elopement with local florals and traditional dancers

  • Savannah, GA – garden ceremony under Spanish moss, with live jazz during dinner

  • Paris – candlelit reception in a 17th-century courtyard, all guests in black tie

 

We’ve done weddings with 150 guests… and some with just 2. No matter how big or small, we’ll help make it real — and keep it organized.

What’s Included in Destination Wedding Planning?

Here’s what we take care of when you hire MJ Wedding Planner NYC for your destination wedding:

 

✈️ Location Research & Venue Booking

We help you choose a location that fits your vision, your budget, and your guest list. Then we scout and secure the right venue — whether it’s a luxury resort, a private villa, or a charming countryside barn.

 

📅 Full Timeline & Travel Planning

We create a master plan for your wedding weekend: travel schedules, ceremony times, setup windows, vendor arrivals, everything. We work around flights, jet lag, weather, local events — all of it.

 

🤝 Vendor Sourcing & Communication

We find and manage the right vendors in your destination — florists, photographers, musicians, makeup artists, caterers, transportation, and more. If we’ve worked in that location before, we already know who’s good. If we haven’t, we research, interview, and vet every single vendor for you.

 

💬 Local Rules, Paperwork & Permits

Every place has its own rules. Some require marriage license translations. Some need noise permits. Some don’t let you use real candles. We know what to ask, and we’ll make sure your wedding stays legal and smooth.

 

🧳 Guest Travel Coordination

We help your guests with room blocks, transportation, and travel tips. We’ll create custom digital guides or printed welcome booklets with FAQs, itineraries, dress codes, airport details, and more.

 

🌧️ Backup Plans (Always)

Rain? Vendor delay? Airline mix-up? We build Plan B, Plan C, and probably Plan D just in case. That’s how we roll. We don’t panic — we just fix it.

We Travel With You (Or Go Ahead of You)

Some planners stop at email. We don’t. We’re there in person for your wedding — or ahead of you, making sure things are prepped and perfect.

 

We’ll arrive early to:

 

  • Meet with your vendors face-to-face

     

  • Oversee setup and rehearsals

     

  • Check all deliveries and rentals

     

  • Walk the site to spot any last-minute hiccups

     

 

You won’t be texting your photographer while in a wedding dress. We’ll be on-site, running the show while you enjoy your day.

For NYC Couples Who Want Something Different

Our destination wedding planning is perfect for:

 

  • NYC couples with family overseas or out of state

  • Second weddings or vow renewals in a special place

  • Elopements that still want planning support

  • Multi-day wedding weekends

  • Cultural or religious ceremonies in a meaningful location

 

Whether you want it simple or fancy, traditional or bold, we’ll help create something that fits you. Not what’s trending. Not what your cousin did. Something real and personal.

Our Destination Planning Process

Step 1: Tell Us Your Dream

Even if it’s vague — “somewhere warm with palm trees” or “I think Italy?” — we’ll start with a conversation about your vibe, your budget, and your must-haves.

 

Step 2: We Do the Research

We find the best destinations, venues, and travel seasons that fit your criteria. You pick your favorite — no guesswork needed.

 

Step 3: Build the Plan

We build your vendor team, map out travel, create your wedding weekend schedule, and keep everything on track from home base here in NYC.

 

Step 4: On-Site Coordination

We arrive early, meet your vendors, and run the full event. You arrive stress-free, with everything already handled.

Real Story: A Vineyard Wedding in Portugal

One NYC couple came to us with a wild dream: a destination wedding at a winery in Portugal. Neither of them spoke Portuguese. They had never been there. They were also both working full-time and had less than 10 months to plan.

We found the venue, coordinated all international vendors, managed the legal marriage paperwork (in both languages), and flew out to run the event. Guests had welcome bags, transportation to and from the winery, and even a guided day trip around Porto.

 

The couple got married under olive trees with a live band and fresh local food. Zero stress. Just a beautiful experience.

FAQs: Destination Wedding Planning for NYC Couples

Do you only work with international weddings?
Nope! We plan weddings in other states too — Vermont, Florida, the Carolinas, California, you name it.

 

How much does destination planning cost?
It varies based on the destination, guest count, travel costs, and number of events. Most couples spend between $8,000–$20,000 for full destination planning. We’ll quote you after a consult.

 

Do we have to pay for your flights and hotel?
Yes — but we keep it clear and simple. We’ll include expected travel costs in your proposal upfront so you can budget properly.

 

Can you help with local NYC legal paperwork if we’re getting married abroad?
Absolutely. We’ll walk you through whether it’s better to legally marry in NYC before traveling or complete your marriage paperwork at your destination.

 

Will you help plan group activities too?
Yes! From welcome parties to post-wedding brunches and excursions (like wine tastings or boat rides), we’ll help organize the full experience.

Let’s Plan a Wedding Worth Traveling For

If you’re dreaming of a wedding somewhere beyond NYC, you don’t have to figure it all out by yourself. MJ Wedding Planner NYC helps local couples pull off amazing destination weddings — with all the support, experience, and calm energy you need.

 

📞 Call us at (929) 658-8218
📍 Come visit us: 70 W 48th St, New York, NY 10036

 

MJ Wedding Planner NYC – Trusted by NYC couples since 2002 for destination weddings in every time zone.
From Manhattan to the Mediterranean, we’ve got you covered.

Client Reviews

Nina R., Brooklyn
Nina R., Brooklyn
Read More
“Hiring MJ Wedding Planner NYC was hands-down the best decision we made. We were planning a wedding in Brooklyn while juggling work and family, and they just made everything feel manageable. From vendor recommendations to timeline stuff, they were super responsive and calm — even when we weren’t. The day itself went off without a hitch. It honestly felt like magic. I didn’t worry about a single thing.”
Jordan T., Upper West Side
Jordan T., Upper West Side
Read More
“We had no idea how to plan a wedding in Manhattan, especially since we both work full-time. MJ Wedding Planner NYC came in, asked all the right questions, and built a plan around exactly what we wanted. They found our venue, lined up every vendor, and kept us on track the whole time. Our wedding was on a rooftop in Midtown with a string quartet and candlelight, and it was perfect. We’re still getting compliments.”
Melissa S., Long Island City
Melissa S., Long Island City
Read More
“I tend to be pretty detail-obsessed, so trusting someone else with our wedding was a big deal. But MJ Wedding Planner NYC was so organized and thoughtful, I felt comfortable from the first meeting. They stayed two steps ahead of everything — handled vendor drama, tweaked the schedule when our photographer was late, and somehow kept us both calm through it all. Our ceremony in Central Park and reception in SoHo couldn’t have gone smoother. Worth every penny.”
Tasha L., Boston (Brooklyn)
Tasha L., Boston (Brooklyn)
Read More
“We planned our wedding from out of state, which could’ve been a nightmare — but MJ Wedding Planner NYC made it feel totally doable. They helped us find the perfect venue in Dumbo, handled all the vendor coordination, and even created a full weekend schedule for our guests. Everything ran smooth and on time, and the vibe was exactly what we wanted. Chill, beautiful, and very us. Couldn’t have pulled it off without them.”
Avi & Priya, Queens
Avi & Priya, Queens
Read More
“We had a multicultural wedding with a lot of moving parts — two ceremonies, two outfits, two menus — and MJ Wedding Planner NYC handled it like pros. They made sure every detail was respected and every moment felt seamless. Our parents were impressed (which says a lot), and we actually got to enjoy the day instead of managing it. Total lifesavers.”

Why MJ Wedding Planner NYC?

Stress-free planning

From venues to vendors, we handle every detail with ease.

Expert advice

Guidance from seasoned planners who know the NYC wedding scene.

Customization

Unique themes and designs tailored to your love story.

Reliability

Trusted support so your big day runs flawlessly.