37 FramesDestination Weddings Look Glamorous
When we speak at conferences and workshops anywhere in the world, there’s one question we are asked more than any other:
“How do I break into destination weddings?”
From the outside, destination weddings look like sunsets, cocktails, Tuscan villas, French chateaus, and a few photos snapped by the infinity pool. Easy. Luxurious. A dream career.
We’ve been in this industry for two decades, and let’s be honest… while it is extraordinary, it’s also one of the hardest jobs you’ll ever love. So let’s bust a few myths before you pack your bags and buy a drone.
Behind every seemingly effortless wedding is a team running like a pit crew, timelines rewritten on the fly, and gear that’s been lugged through more airports than we care to count.
The glamour and the grit. Both matter. Both are real.
So let’s get into it.
Myth 1: It’s All About Travel
The Reality: It’s about trust.
Couples don’t hire you because you’re excited to hop on a plane. They hire you because you can navigate cultural nuances, timelines, and unpredictable conditions while still making the day look effortless. The view is the bonus. The trust is the job.
Myth 2: The Weather Will Behave
The Reality: It won’t.
We’ve had typhoons in Tokyo, fog rolling in at Fuji, blizzards in the Alps, a 42 degree C wedding in Mexico where we almost lost the groom (and us), rain-soaked ceremonies in Hawaii, and desert winds in the UAE that sandblasted our cameras. The weather almost never matches the Pinterest board. And yet, those are often the most unforgettable weddings.
Myth 3: It’s Just a Vacation With a Camera
The Reality: It’s 18-hour workdays, jet lag, and carrying 30kg of gear up a mountain.
Yes, you’ll see incredible places. But most of the time, you’ll see them through a lens while sprinting to stay on timeline. You’ll “vacation” by eating cold room service at midnight while backing up files. And honestly? We wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Myth 4: Destination Weddings Are Just Bigger Local Weddings
The Reality: They’re an entirely different beast.
Local weddings happen in familiar contexts. Destination weddings happen in unfamiliar cultures, languages, and logistical frameworks. If you don’t understand how Japanese contracts work, or how French catering timelines differ, you’ll struggle.
Myth 5: Couples Choose You for the Location
The Reality: They choose you for your storytelling.
Anyone can show up to a Tuscan villa or Kyoto shrine with a camera. What couples want is someone who can translate the experience into images and films that feel timeless and true. They don’t want the postcard—they want their story.
Myth 6: You Can Do It Alone
The Reality: You need a team.
Destination weddings are too complex for a solo hero act. Flights get delayed. Gear gets lost. Venues change rules overnight. Having a loyal, experienced team is the difference between panic and poise. (Ours has been with us for more than a decade—and that’s why it works.)
Myth 7: It’s About Glamour
The Reality: It’s about grit.
Destination weddings aren’t glamorous. They’re sweaty, exhausting, emotional, and unpredictable. But they’re also profoundly rewarding. The glamour is for the couple. The grit is for us. And that’s exactly how it should be.
Final Reflection
If you’re dreaming of building a career in destination weddings, know this: it’s not about the travel, the weather, or the glamour. It’s about trust, resilience, storytelling, and a team that has your back.
The myths may be shiny, but the truth is even better. Because when you do this work right, you don’t just plan or photograph a wedding… you create experiences that span continents.
📋 Planning | 📸 Photography | 🎥 Film by @37frames | Edited with the 37 Frames @imagen.ai profile (The Modern Classic)
37 Frames
