17 Chic Ways to Add Vintage Charm to Your Wedding

When you’re planning your wedding, the wedding decor options are limitless. From arches full of peonies to French couture, there’s no real way to go wrong. But when florists like Studio Choo, or its just-as-savings-draining stiletto cousin, Jimmy Choo, don’t fall within your budget, we’ve got an easier option: Go vintage. By adding vintage pieces that you or your friends and family already own, you can have a unique, personal and cost effective-wedding that’s picture perfect. Scroll on for 17 chic ways to add vintage charm to your big day.

1. Your Mom or Grandma’s Wedding Dress: Follow the tradition of “something borrowed” by repurposing your mom or grandma’s wedding dress. You can have a seamstress refit their dress for you, or have a tailor repurpose the fabric to create something new, like this necklace. (via Melanie Maxwell)

2. Vintage Mirror: Grab the old mirror that’s been collecting dust in the back of your closet and use it to welcome guests, display the dinner menu or share your wedding #hashtag for Instagram pics. (via Mirelle Carmichael)

3. Vintage Seating: If you’re having an intimate backyard wedding with a small guest list, a mix of chairs from different vintage designers makes for a whimsical ceremony. Talk about mixing it up! (via Ryan Ray Photography)

4. Vintage Lace Bunting ($43): You can DIY or buy pieces of vintage lace to create a lace bunting. It’s an easy and delicate way to dress up the setting and show off that tablescape.

5. Collection of Old Books: Book nerds have the sweetest centerpieces sitting on their bookshelves. Grab your cutest books from your collection, and get ready to make a little library out of your reception seating chart. (via Ananda Lima)

6. Your Favorite Romantic Book: For a unique way to show off your wedding bands, DIY a ring ‘pillow’ made from your favorite book. Simply cut out a heart-shaped hole in the middle of the pages for a sweet and chic ring holder. (via Megan W Photography)

7. Vintage Vanity: An ol’ vintage vanity from your home will make just as great a dessert or book signing table. Dress it up with flowers and garlands, and it’s good to go. (via B.Loved)

8. Old Picture Frames: Display your wedding schedule or program in beautiful, painted frames. All you need are some vintage frames and spray paint, and voila — you’ve got an amazing ceremony display. (via Adam Alex)

9. Vintage Tea: Use vintage tea sets as vases for the reception. You’d only need a few flowers to fill them up, saving you money and creating the perfect atmosphere for a post-nuptial brunch. (via Kayla Adams & Co.)

10. Vintage Suitcase: Whether you’re having a travel-themed wedding or going for a whimsical, rustic style, vintage suitcases can help spice up your decor. Use suitcases as containers for the post-ceremony petals, photo booth props, flowers, wedding programs, favors and so much more. (via Pete Cranston)

11. Vintage Ring Boxes: Show off your engagement ring and wedding bands with vintage ring boxes. You can even ask your wedding photographer to snap a photo of your parents and grandparents’ rings to show off the entire family line of wedding jewelry. (via Paris Boutique Hotel)

12. Old Family Photos: Celebrate the marriages of all those before you by displaying the wedding photos of your family from past generations. (via Lakshal Perera)

13. Vintage Tablecloth: Have fabric at home? Vintage fabrics can be used as tablecloths and table runners for the reception. Tulle or organza is especially beautiful when layered over a plain tablecloth. (via KT Merry)

14. Vintage Keys: Find vintage keys in thrift stores or peruse Etsy and eBay for them, and then transform them into easy and effortless escort cards. (via Aaron Shintaku)

15. Vintage Dining Chairs: If you’re having a small brunch or tea party after the ceremony, use vintage chairs of all shapes and sizes to create a lovely mix for your reception. (via Gianny Campos)

16. Apothecary Centerpieces: Rather than have your florist provide vases for floral arrangements, set your party tables with apothecary jars full of flowers or little terrariums. (via Jen Huang)

17. Old Childhood Photos: Use your favorite childhood photos with the table number corresponding to the age of the future Mr. and Mrs. in the photo. (via Hyer Images)

Have a unique vintage wedding DIY that you’d like to share? We want to know! Leave us a message in the comments below or tweet us at @britandco.

Whether you're the maid of honor who's making sure the bride-to-be has a super exciting send off into this next chapter, or the bride-to-be in question who would rather take the reins of her own destiny, it's likely that you're gonna plan a bachelorette party prior to The Big Day. Amid all the wedding dress shopping and tablescape planning and talking through literally every single detail, it's important that this once-in-a-lifetime celebration with the bridal party is particularly special. And while Austin and Nashvegas are never a bad choice for a bachelorette party, sometimes you just want something a little different. With that in mind, I've rounded up 10 of the best bachelorette party destinations to pick for your favorite bride this year! Cheers, girlies!

Best Bachelorette Party Destinations In The United States

Image via AC Naples Hotel 5th Avenue

Naples, FL

There’s no better place to visit than sunny Florida and you can’t go wrong with a trip to Naples for a bachelorette party. Whether you want to relax by the beach or hit up the town, you’ll find everything in more in this city. Stay at the AC Naples Hotel 5th Avenue for easy access to the city’s unofficial main street and waterfront shopping destinations just a few steps away. For some nighttime fun, head on over to Cavo Lounge for a night full of dancing and drag shows and then late-night bites at The Hampton Social.

Image via The Equestrian Hotel

Ocala, FL

Looking for a more niche-option? Visit Ocala, Florida to be immersed in nature and wildlife of all sorts. From accommodations to attractions, nature and animal lovers will be in heaven. Horse lovers will fall head over heels for The Equestrian Hotel where they can watch horse races and enjoy a rejuvenating spa appointment. When meal time rolls around, stop by Mark’s Prime Steakhouse or Katya Vineyards for wine tasting and delicious fine dining your party will love.

Image via Paws Up Resort

Greenough, MT

A bride-to-be who can’t get enough of natural greenery will love a trip to Greenough, Montana. Start your trip at Paws Up Resort where you’ll find accommodations on a luxury ranch with glamping tents and vacation homes. Other activities in the area include trips to historical monuments like Greenough Mansion. Plus, stop by some craft distilleries including Montgomery Distillery to try hand crafted spirits and beverages.

Image via The Joule

Dallas, TX

The catchphrase “Everything’s better in Texas” not only applies to the southern culture, but also the restaurants, entertainment, and accommodations that make Dallas a must-visit destination. For bachelorette parties, not only will you find boutique hotels like The Joule filled with luxurious amenities like a spa and rooftop pools, but attractions including Party Cove for a relaxed boating experience and The Dallas Party Bike for lots of laughs, sights, and good times all around. When it comes time to eat, you’ll want to make reservations at Crown Block and Hudson House.

Image via The Ritz Carlton

New Orleans, LA

New Orleans is known for its tasty food, soulful music, and historic landmarks making it the perfect bachelorette party destination. Kick your visit off right by getting a room at The Ritz Carlton which will immerse you into the heart of the French Quarter and then head on out to the streets to find a plethora of shops, restaurants, and activities. Stop by Brigtsen’s for some classic cajun cuisine and dance the night away at The Metropolitan.

Image via Rosehill Vineyards

Long Island, NY

I know what you're thinking: the Hamptons? In this economy? Well, I'm here to let you in on a little secret — Long Island is much bigger than Montauk. TKTK Hampton Bays TKTK The Hampton Maid TKTK Greenport TKTK North Fork Vineyards like Wölffer Estate Vineyards and Rosehill Vineyards.

Image via Haley Sprankle

Miami, FL

This may seem like your typical bachelorette party destination, but Miami is honestly always a smooth move. I'd book a star at The Goodtime Hotel so you can take advantage of Strawberry Moon and all it's party glory. Content Editor Haley Sprankle went recently, and there was a literal champagne shower in the middle of the pool...definitely good vibes for the girlies! If you're looking for some delicious dining, Miami has a ton of great food, too! Komodo is a sceney restaurant for all your Hot Girl pics (and the most delicious lobster lo mein), C.Viche 105 has amazing Peruvian fair like ceviche and lomo saltado, and Bachour is perfect for brunch! And while there's no shortage of places to go out in Miami, Wynwood is a great neighborhood to hit the town.

Best Bachelorette Party Destinations Around The World

Image via Hotel Rochechouart

Paris, FR

Take a trip to Paris for an international and culturally-enriching experience suitable for any bachelorette party. Aside from seeing the Eiffel Tower, you can make pit stops at The Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, and Disneyland Paris. For added convenience, stay in the heart of Paris at Hotel Rochechouart that offers picturesque views and close proximity to popular destinations. There's plenty of perfect little side cafes and sweet spots to grab a drink, but here are a few options to keep in mind!
  • Visit one of the top 50 bars in the world, The Cambridge Public House, for unique cocktails and absolutely amazing pub food.
  • Swap out a more typical Magic Mike/Chippendales show and swing by Crazy Horse for a fun, artistic, and sexy show! The burlesque is amazing, and the girls will love sitting in the elegant theater with a few bottles of champagne to share. For a more tame burlesque show, visit the ever-iconic Moulin Rouge.
  • Book a reservation at Le Bon Georges for one of the best meals — and biggest wine selection!

Image via Atlantis

Atlantis, The Bahamas

Venture to the Bahamas to celebrate the bride-to-be at Atlantis. Choose from one of six resorts from The Cove for a more luxury stay to The Reef that’s geared more towards families. Aside from picturesque views and comfortable beds, you can engage in outdoor activities from marine adventures to crystal clear beaches for the ultimate relaxation experience. Plus, you may even be able to see some celebrities on your trip from Janet Jackson to DJ Pauly D.

Image via Meliá

Cozumel, Mexico

Mexico is always a good idea for a bachelorette party. Be sure to book your stay at Meliá Cozumel — it's an all-inclusive resort so all you have to worry about is whether you want a piña colada or a frozen margarita. From there, you've got beach days, pool soaking, spa appointments, and girly time galore. Sit back, relax, and party.

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Header image via RDNE Stock project / PEXELS

Valentine’s Day is essentially the holiday geared towards little treats – and what better way to ensure you get exactly what you want than giving your S.O. a not-so-subtle hint (AKA this curated Valentine’s Day gift guide). Our list of perfect V-Day gifts is packed full of the little treats you’ve got your eye on, plus some real swoon-worthy picks – from luxury skincare to decadent chocolates – that’ll truly make your day.

Scroll on for the best Valentine’s Day gifts you’ve been dreaming of!

Mutha

Mutha Body Butter

This luxe body butter is as rich as can be, and will instantly take first place over your current body lotion collection since it's clinically proven to improve skin tone, discoloration, stretch marks, and skin firmness. You'll especially love the 48-hour hydration factor.

Amazon

Steve Madden Goldie

This "glamorous and captivating" scent will make you feel so sexy on V-Day and beyond. In addition to floral and fruity notes, it has a gourmand effect that truly makes it stand out. Plus, the heart-shaped bottle is a perfect fit for the holiday.

Coach

Coach Tabby Shoulder Bag 26

You deserve to feel spoiled, and this shoulder bag will definitely fulfill that dream. Its durable construction and timeless color will be in your fashion rotation for years to come!

Nordstrom

Slip Lovely Lashes Pure Silk Contour Sleep Mask

This contoured sleep mask made of sleek silk allows you to get your best beauty sleep, all without disturbing your lashes. It's especially helpful if you have lash extensions!

Sephora

Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm

You already know the hype of this rich lip butter. Ask for your fave flavor for V-Day!

Compartés

Compartés I Love You Gift Box

Because a Valentine's Day without chocolate is like peanut butter without jelly.

Nordstrom

UGG Classic Ultra Mini Platform Boots

These are about to become *the* cozy boots that define each and every one of your winter outfits. We can't recommend 'em enough if you're all about that cozy life.

Birthdate

Birthdate Pendant

You can customize this pendant based on your exact birth date, so each one is unique from the other. This is perfect for all the astrology lovers out there, plus there's options for silver and gold for every kind of personal style!

Flamingo Estate

Flamingo Estate Roma Heirloom Tomato Candle

This bougie candle smells like pure heaven, so lighting it up every day will be a total treat. It's a tasteful departure from your typical Valentine's Day aromas, like vanilla and rose.

Dieux

Dieux Angel Face Duo

Your skin's gonna adore each of these products from Dieux – so grab the two at once! First up, the Baptism cleanser provides a gentle clean without stripping your skin's natural moisture. Next, the Instant Angel moisturizer swarms your skin in rich hydration, locking in beneficial moisture to keep you lookin' real glowy.

Adidas

Adidas Gazelle Bold Sneakers

This year's hottest sneaker style, all in a V-Day-ready colorway?! Yes, please.

Anthropologie

Anthropologie Icon Juice Glass

This heart-dotted glass will make drinking your morning coffees, matchas, and juices that much more joyful.

Smoosh

Smoosh Body Scrubber

This silicone body scrubber features a fun and unique design so that the coordinating bar soap is embedded within the piece. It still gives a great lather and will last you years without producing as much waste as a traditional loofah. We love this playful pink color to inspire a satisfying shower, every time.

Lush

Lush 'A Lush Kind Of Love' Gift Box

There's nothing like a Lush box when it comes to gifts. This V-Day-themed one includes 2 bath bombs, one Lush Bubbleroon, a body conditioner, a body wash, a body scrub, and a soap bar to fix up your next self-care night.

Maude

Maude Burn No. 3 Soy-Based Massage Candle

This is one of the best Valentine's Day gifts you can use in conjunction with your partner. The candle melts down to a soft, soy-based massage oil that only gets warm, not hot, so you can easily pour it out ahead of an at-home couple's massage (yes, please!) or simply for sexy time.

Glossier

Glossier You Eau de Parfum

This cult-fave perfume from Glossier sticks to your skin and magically adapts to smell like you. You'll be smellin' like a whole treat come V-Day.

Sephora

Caudalie Vinoperfect Brightening Serum

This luxury serum encourages nothing but a full-on glow by brightening the look of dark spots and evening skin tone.

New Balance

New Balance 530 Sneakers

Hot girl walks and errand outfits await you with these stunning sneaks from New Balance. They're equal parts comfy and cute, so you won't have to worry about sacrificing style for practicality when you wear 'em!

Typology

Typology T41 Replenishing Lip Balm

Upgrade your Chapsticks and Carmexes with this luxe lip balm that provides unmatched hydration using ceramides and hyaluronic acid. It comes in a practical clear shade, plus three more blush-y colors if you wish to have a stronger wash of color on your lips and cheeks.

Owala

Owala FreeSip

Hydration is key for health and happiness – make sipping more fun with this beloved bottle from Owala!

Subscribe to our newsletter for more gift ideas all year long!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

Planning a wedding is an unforgettable experience and can lay the foundation to one of the most exciting milestones of a couple’s journey together in life, if not *the* milestone.

Between the surge of endorphins of a proposal that sweeps you both into an unreal level of romance to the non-stop swarm of loving messages from family and friends, the timespan from proposal to wedding day can truly feel like a fairytale. My favorite part? The giddy “OMG”s shrieked each time you look down or pass a mirror and catch a glimpse of your hand with its shiny new companion. A bit less magical than rocking your dreamy new ring, however, is taking on the ever-daunting task of bringing every detail of your dream wedding to life.

For years, whether it’s on Pinterest, Instagram, or scribbled in a weathered journal you kept from younger years, most romantics like myself have kept a tally of what their wedding would one day look like. And before you know it, it’s time to shift from casually pinning and saving ideas to hitting the ground running IRL. From narrowing down the perfect location and tablescapes to finding the ultimate dress (or two!), curating the moving parts to your wedding is a process you’ll want every bit of advice and wisdom that you can get your (newly shimmery) hands on.

Should you decide to take the exciting leap of celebrating your wedding abroad, the online search for diving into everything from venue options, foreign cultural traditions, language barriers, and more can feel endless. At times, there may even be a lack of information (or translated equivalents) that will leave you scouring message boards or other online forums for other couples who have been in your shoes. But fret not — there are plenty of brides who have perfected their big day in beautiful, exotic locations across the globe. Whether it’s a gorgeous Mediterranean gathering, an island-inspired bohemian escape, or any dreamy vision in between, I’m here to tell you that with the right tips at hand, you can make your wedding abroad come to life — without blowing your budget— embellished with equal parts adventure and unforgettable bliss.

How To Plan A Destination Wedding In 2023

Image via @niceofwedding

For our wedding day — or rather, week of celebrations — we selected Bodrum, Turkey as our destination. With family members traveling from the US, Europe, and the Middle East, this beautiful coastal town on the Turkish riviera made for the perfect backdrop to our international guest list. Think royal blue Aegean waters, picturesque Mediterranean islands, and white sailboats floating in the distance. Not to mention, we loved the excuse to provide (and strongly advocate for) an unforgettable vacation for everyone we love in a gorgeous, exotic destination. Here are ten things I learned from planning my wedding abroad!

1. Your Fantasy Location Might Not Be Your Final Choice

Image via @niceofwedding

While gathering initial inspiration for your wedding abroad, you may be dead-set on a popular location that you’ve spent years gushing over photos of online. However, many top destinations are now pricier or have limited in availability due to high exposure online and increased demand from new international appeal. In addition to reaching out to those top favorites on your venue wishlist, I recommend taking a look at lesser known destinations in the same country or region you’re interested in. By doing research beyond viral locations, you can find amazing hidden gems that feature the same landscape or cultural elements, but at a more affordable price. Plus, you provide a more custom experience than some of the “cookie-cutter” types of plans that are routinely repeated for weddings at larger venues in high demand.

When selecting Turkey as the destination for our wedding abroad, we initially thought Istanbul was the obvious choice for a venue. However, once taking a closer look at other lesser known, gorgeous locations along the Turkish coast, we discovered that basing our wedding in the luxurious beach town of Bodrum would mean less hustle and bustle of the capital city and a more peaceful, laid back experience. Our wedding planner, who was based locally in Bodrum, could easily coordinate everything needed for our special day in town. By bypassing excessively popular venue options in Istanbul and opting for a more “hidden gem” feel in Bodrum, our wedding party was able to all stay within walking distance (or a short cab ride away!) to everywhere we included in our lineup of events, eliminating the stress of getting in and out of a larger city. During the entirety of our stay in Bodrum, we experienced five star service and treatment from everyone from hotel concierge to taxi drivers to the owner of the restaurant where we hosted our Rehearsal Dinner. The small town feel made it feel like we, as Bride and Groom, were the talk of the town, with everyone itching to show us just how amazing local hospitality could be – and boy did they succeed!

Pro tip: Reach out to friends, family or your extended network for those who've traveled in/around the country you have in mind for your wedding. They might have a personal take on a stunning location to keep in mind that’s lesser known to tourists.

2. Choose A Home Base For Your Crew & Festivities

Image via @niceofwedding

The best way to offer a seamless experience at your wedding destination is to have a hotel and/or resort as the “home base” for your friends and family to all enjoy each other's company in one place. By selecting a clean, comfortable, and quality uniform accommodations for everyone in your party, you can simplify the process of coordinating plans to see one another, address incoming questions about events and in general keep things much smoother having everyone at the same place. Plus, it allows your guests to get cozy and socialize with one another while you’re on bride and groom duty.

In having the majority of our guests stay at the same resort (including us!), we were able to see everyone conveniently, get quality time by the pool or the beach, as well as refer everyone to the same on-site eateries for meals, drinks, and more. Our absolute favorite part of our wedding experience abroad was being able to essentially “live” with our loved ones gathered all in one place for almost a week, enjoying daily Turkish breakfasts along seaside views and seeing our guests leisurely enjoy the amenities of the resort, without the stress, confusion or separation of everyone at different hotels.

The concierge at the hotel is also highly aware of — and often prioritizes — larger bookings and parties, so they're equipped and ready with information to guide your guests on local tips, recommendations and information for getting around town. And of course, a financial perk is that with a large group accommodation, you should be able to negotiate a great discount on standard rates for rooms, suites and villas. Trust me – as bride and groom, you’ve earned the villa!

Pro tip: Design and send over a stylish itinerary for the hotel staff to print + place inside each of your guests’ rooms along with an optional souvenir to serve as a warm welcome for your family and friends. They can refer to the itinerary for all event information from date, time, location, and dress code for all of your wedding events.

3. A Wedding Planner (+ Odd Planning Hours) Are Non-Negotiable

Image via @niceofwedding

Even the most buttoned up brides will need the assistance of a wedding planner for their international nuptials. Between possible language barriers, cultural customs, and a close-knit local network of vendors that are much less visible to the social media eye, having a wedding planner based in your destination who's familiar with the local community is truly non-negotiable if you’re based in the States. While some couples might start their wedding planning journey by seeking a wedding planner first, followed by landing ceremony and reception venue(s), we started our wedding planning by securing our dream venue and resort (same place!) first and foremost. After that, we got wedding planner recommendations from the venue manager — this way, the venue team had a set recommendation for a wedding planner who had worked on their property before and was familiar with the in’s and out’s of what would work best on-site according to our ceremony and reception visions. We worked with the amazing Eda Kanitürk of @edavecicekleri to bring our dream wedding vision to life. Once your wedding planner and venue are locked in, it truly opens up the rest of the process in such a fun way, with your planner at your (virtual) side to guide you through the rest of details, choices, and approvals.

Keep in mind that with English as their second, third, or even fourth language, there will likely be a need to over communicate and clarify exactly what you’re looking for. Visuals, mood boards, and video examples are key in communicating your vision and helping your planner understand your style and taste fully, beyond any language and cultural differences. From tablescapes and floral arrangements to music and unique decor, it's absolutely crucial as a bride to share as much inspiration as possible with your planner so that you can feel confident knowing that when you wake up and walk down the aisle on your big day, that any misunderstandings will be minimized thanks to a thorough planning process.

In respect to the expected time zone differences between you and your wedding planner, expect early mornings, late nights, and weekends as opportune moments to schedule calls and check-ins. Frequent weekly check-ins with your planner in the beginning of the process are imperative to lay out the foundation of your wedding, share all of the inspiration, and get key vendors locked in and approved. In the few weeks leading up to the wedding, cue up any last check-ins about once a week to seal all of the final details and plan for in-person meetings preceding the wedding, once you are planning to finally land in your destination abroad. After months of planning, it was such an exciting moment to meet our planner in person in Turkey and have her assist on site throughout all of our celebrations, leaving us stress free and in pure wedding bliss.

Pro tip: Communicating via WhatsApp was an extremely useful tool for us, as we were able to text over questions as they were top of mind to us and have our planner address them via text or on our many thorough calls. We were able to share much of our visual inspiration by sending photos this way as well!

4. Vendor Choices Will Be More Limited (But That Might Be a Good Thing!)

Image via @niceofwedding

In executing the vision for your perfect wedding, choosing your vendors is such a critical piece of the puzzle. From the wedding cake to the DJ to hair and makeup, it can be overwhelming to narrow down a competitive market and compare quotes, offerings and style differences between them all. However, one ironic perk of planning a wedding abroad is actually having fewer choices at your fingertips for vendors. While it seems counterintuitive, the classic saying “less is more” comes to mind. In my experience, it was surprisingly refreshing to have our wedding planner only present 2-3 options for key vendors for floral, cake, hair, makeup, and DJ options.

As someone who absolutely loves the challenge of scouring online profiles and reviews of local vendors, it was far less stressful to have the options narrowed down for me right off the bat, due to a naturally smaller pool of wedding industry services in Turkey. By only having a few options to choose from, it allowed me to focus on the ones at hand and truthfully let go of the micro-managing I tend to feel Stateside. With a language barrier between myself and most of the vendors, I leaned heavily on my visual examples to speak for themselves, and it worked!

The most interesting part of the puzzle? Choosing our reception menu without being able to have a tasting on-site in Turkey. As a giant foodie, this was laughably the biggest surprise to myself and my then-fiance, who could see that I was enjoying the process of letting go and trusting that everything would be perfect, despite such little differences in planning abroad. In the end, the food was to die for and everyone in our party raved about it!

A stark reality of planning a wedding abroad is realizing how over-the-top the industry can be in the United States, with so many overpriced options and fluff around certain services. Choosing from only 2-3 makeup artists, hair stylists, cake options, DJs, etc, quickened the process and allowed me to freely focus on the big picture of how our wedding day was going to *feel* for everyone there. It taught me the art of letting go and trusting the process, which I (and the rest of any type-A brides out there!) will be forever grateful for.

5. Your Guest Count Will Likely Be Lower (In A Beautiful And Intimate Way)

Image via @niceofwedding

Much like expectations for your vendor pool, your expectations regarding the guest list and overall turnout will realistically be much lower for a wedding abroad. Even with the closest of friends and family members, it's great etiquette to keep in mind that there will be likely less of those invited who are able to make the lengthy trip, depending on the location, logistics, time off, personal, and work projects, etc. While it was naturally ideal for us to hope that every single person invited would tag along and take part of our big day, we were very understanding with all of our guests who had valid reasons as to why they couldn’t travel to across the globe, despite their loving wishes and happy blessings. Our wedding party happily turned out to be a close-knit family affair, with over 80 guests and relatives attending – many of whom we hadn’t seen in over twenty years. For this reason, the tighter and more intimate setting and guest count allowed us to truly connect with our loved ones in a way we’ll never forget. And for those friends who did make the journey to celebrate us, it created a new level of gratitude.

Pro tip: Since those family and friends who can’t attend your wedding abroad are still eager to celebrate you as Bride and Groom, seize the opportunity and host an amazing pre- or post- party celebrating your nuptials in an easier-to-access location where people can easily gather and you can enjoy a mini wedding with your Stateside crew! With my family based in Miami, we invited our closest friends for a beautiful pre-wedding dinner party under the stars, followed by a mini Bachelorette weekend to kill two birds with one stone! This weekend getaway was a fantastic way to make the most of everyone’s time who had traveled to be in Miami, knowing they wouldn’t be able to make it to Turkey. It was a hit and one of the most memorable moments of our pre-marriage season!

6. Embrace Local Cultural Traditions + Educate Your Planner On Your Own

Image via @niceofwedding

Just as food, fashion, language, and landscapes vary from place to place, wedding culture and customs in each country are heavily influenced by years of tradition and spiritual practice worldwide. While there’s every wedding style under the sun in the States, you may encounter or more streamlined or one-way tradition when conducting weddings abroad. First and foremost, it’s an important distinction to consider your wedding abroad to be a symbolic — meaning it's non-legally binding in that country. That way, a lot of the paperwork is avoided in the destination of your choice and you can focus on keeping the ceremony and reception purely as a celebratory event. That being said, in order to make your marriage legal back in the States, you'll have to take the steps and carry out a legal ceremony either before or after your wedding abroad.

When it comes to popular Stateside wedding practices, you might have to map out, educate, and provide your planner with visual examples of certain customs that are second nature to American wedding planners. Elements like a bouquet toss, cake cutting, first dances, and parent dances aren’t things you can assume your wedding planner will include, so make sure to clearly outline which American wedding traditions (or others!) you’ll want to highlight on your special day.

In planning our wedding in Turkey, we had to take a few key details into our own hands like asking our some of our favorite family members to serve as the officiant during our ceremony and the emcee/announcer during our reception, as officiants aren't a traditional part of weddings in Turkey and our DJ — like many vendors — wasn't comfortable speaking English. These quirks made us great problem solvers and allowed us to get our family and friends involved with heartfelt favors that made our vision come to life on an even more personal level.

Additionally, we wanted to complement our reception set up with a traditional Sofreh Aghd, a Persian wedding table bedazzled with items meant to bless the bride and groom on their union, including sweets, candles, fresh flowers, mirrors, and more. It was important for me to walk through each step in curating the Sofreh Aghd with our wedding planner and send her the exact inspiration and details to work off of in gathering the items locally. Thanks to our endless chats, her resourcefulness in Turkey and her general amazing taste, the Sofreh turned out even more beautifully than I ever imagined.

​7. Your Money Will Go Much Further

Image via @niceofwedding

A popular reason many couples dip their toes into planning their wedding abroad is not only the allure of an exotic backdrop, but the fantastic perk of knowing that your dollar will often stretch much further in other countries when it comes to paying for a wedding. Where the industry in America is inflated beyond belief, the market abroad can be very humble with offering truly luxurious locations, services, and planning at a much lower price.

To clarify, the picture-perfect wedding of your dreams will likely still cost you a pretty penny abroad, but the amount will likely be significantly lower overall in comparison to mimicking the same setup you have in mind in the States. This financial benefit can influence everything from getting a five star hotel or resort experience at half the price that you’d pay in the US, to the ability to deck out your venue with a deluxe variety of floral arrangements at a much lower price point. With a bit more wiggle room in your budget, you may have the option of adding unique little touches to your event that make your guests feel truly special such as a small gift, covered meals, or other little mementos that show how much you appreciate them making the journey to celebrate you.

For us, having our wedding in Turkey allowed us to give our entire party a five star experience at a seaside resort with daily complimentary breakfast — and I’m not talking about a sad muffin and orange juice, because it was a full on over-the-top traditional Turkish breakfast served daily! And if you're a numbers person, I have the receipts to prove my destination wedding was a huge savings!

  • $6,000 included ALL wedding planning services from our planner and all florals, decor, and tablescape items for the wedding ceremony and reception. In my local area, wedding planner services are at ~$5-10K alone, and florals at $2-5K. I feel like this is really where we got the biggest bang for our buck and got the look and services we wanted for half the price!
  • $20,000 for combined resort and venue cost covering 3 locations on the property for 3 separate events, also including all appetizers, dinner, cake + unlimited alcohol/open bar at our wedding. In my research, a similarly plated multi-course dinner alone would be ~$15-30K, and coastal/waterfront venue rental for something similar to ours would be $10K+
  • $500 for bridal hair and makeup, which would usually go for $1-2k.
Those three factors add up to a savings of $36.5k — and that was just a handful of areas we were able to save! Imagine the possibilities!

Pro tip: Consider your now-expanded budget an opportunity to host 1-2 additional events or gatherings beyond the wedding day to make your guests who have traveled feel truly special. We hosted a Welcome Party complete with a fully catered traditional Turkish feast and a cultural ceremony the day after our wedding that highlighted dance, music and you guessed it – another delicious feast for everyone to remember forever. Hosting three back-to-back gatherings was something we never would have been able to afford in the US, so it was our pleasure to spend a bit of our carved out funds on our guests who traveled far and wide to be with us. Plus, who doesn’t love multiple bridal looks to shop for! 😉

8. Your Honeymoon Just Got Cheaper

Just like most couples who find the thrill in traveling and exploring new territory together, planning our honeymoon was the most exciting pay-off of the wedding planning process. Knowing we’d be able to keep the party going and experience our first week together as husband and wife on our honeymoon was thrilling. While many modern couples are deciding to push their honeymoon out to cater to work schedules, or just to get a breather after bringing your monumental moment to life, we decided to keep it old school and dive right into ours!

By basing your wedding abroad, you'll be in a much better position to purchase affordable plane tickets and hop right over to your honeymoon destination if it’s in reasonable proximity to your wedding destination. From Turkey, we were easily able to hop on our plane to Spain and Italy, where we sipped, ate and vacationed our way in newlywed bliss. Not only did our entire spend on plane tickets for our entire trip pre and post wedding add up to much less than starting off Stateside, but we also enjoyed the nice perk of having already adjusted to the European time zones so we could be active without worrying about the jet lag crash!

Some couples might opt for staying put at their wedding destination abroad for their honeymoon, as they bid adieu to beloved wedding guests and enjoy some romantic R&R without the buzz of friends and family around. If you’re already in love with the resort or hotel you’ve made yourself home at for the wedding, why not just extend your stay and get a super relaxing honeymoon without the hustle and bustle of any further travel?

Pro tip: Book your travels on a mult-city plan from the airline you fly the majority of your trips with. You’ll not only save money by letting their algorithms place together all the legs of your trip in one fell swoop, but also lots of time in honeymoon planning, which post-wedding organizing, is the best gift of all. We used Turkish Airlines for our combined travel to and from Turkey, Spain, Italy and the US.

9. Post-Wedding Logistics Are Important

Image via @niceofwedding

Perhaps the most important and overlooked element of all is what happens AFTER your wedding. While a Stateside wedding might mean being closer to home or able to cater to the logistics of where decor, gifts, wardrobe, and other details will be kept once the party’s over, it’s a much more crucial process to plan this portion of your wedding out if taking place abroad.

Everything from your formal dress(es), tuxedos, and suits to thoughtful gifts, jewelry, or new funds from loving family and friends must be safely transported back to the US. Without a car or an option to leave and pick up anything at a later time, it was a very key part of the process for us to research dollar limit amounts and pre-plan packing logistics for how to get these important items back home. Not to mention, we had a whole honeymoon’s worth of travel ahead of us, and we didn't want the pressure of holding on to these irreplaceable items!

Your family is the most trustworthy, and if you’ve got a close relative who lives nearby back home, it’s best to give them an important heads up and ask if they're willing to help by transporting items back home with them until you make it back yourself. For us, we planned ahead and brought one extra compact carry on each, where we’d plan to place my wedding dress (gently rolled up!), my husband’s tuxedo (again, rolled up in a designated suit carrier), as well as any physical gifts we received and could safely pack alongside. Two of our relatives who live close by to us in California were happy to assist as they were traveling directly back home after the wedding in Turkey and upon arrival from our honeymoon, we were able to retrieve our items. It was a foolproof system, but only because we planned ahead and reached out for assistance ahead of time so they knew what the plan was.

As far as any financial gifts, we wanted to avoid having any physical forms of money gifted to us at the wedding so we didn't have to carry it or deposit it into our accounts while abroad, so we offered our guests the convenient option of donating to our Honeymoon Fund on our wedding website. This was definitely the easiest way to go, and highly recommended for anyone else planning their big day to not only use this digital feature, but also take advantage of creating a free wedding website to fill your invited loved ones with all of the exciting details!

10. The Best Part: It Will Feel Like A Vacation!

Image via @niceofwedding

Of course, *the* key element that drives the dream of hosting a wedding abroad in a gorgeous setting is providing yourselves and your favorite people with a trip of a lifetime. For those with families spread out across the globe (or the US!), inviting beloved family and friends to celebrate this exciting milestone all together in one exotic place is an irresistible opportunity to reunite and enjoy a vacation as one big, amazing group. For those with to-be-spouses with the majority of family in faraway places, it also is a heartfelt way of making it easier for his/her family members to attend without worrying about the extensive costs of a ticket to the US.

By choosing Turkey, we were able to embrace all of our family members from the US, Europe, and the Middle East in a central location and spark a reason to drop their daily routine and meet for a momentous occasion, all while enjoying a vacation of a lifetime by the sparkling Aegean Sea. Witnessing the looks of relaxation, happiness and joy on everyone’s faces amidst beach-side breakfasts, festive outbursts of dance and song and zen-laced moments on strolls around town were the greatest gift of all. Knowing that a wedding abroad was not only centered on our union as one, but our family’s ability to reunite made us like all of the extensive planning was worth every last drop.

Pro tip: Given the climate of each location will vary, keep a close eye on the typical seasonal weather around the time of year you’re aiming for your wedding to take place and consider that the temperature and daily forecasts will have a large impact on the comfort of you and your party upon visiting. From wind to rain to above or below average temperatures, it’s wise to ask your planner first thing in the process to advise the optimal times of year to host your wedding and avoid any unfriendly weather conditions as best as possible.

Image via @niceofwedding

If you’re thinking of planning your wedding and the idea of doing it abroad is intriguing to you and your future spouse, take this as your sign to go for it and don’t look back! It’s a bold decision to depart from the norm and think outside of the box. You might be met with resistance from your families, but I promise you that if you follow your heart, everyone will be absolutely amazed once it all unfolds on that special day. Whether it’s 10,000 or 10 miles away, there’s a magical place that has your name (+ future new last name!) written all over it. Happy planning, bride!

Looking for more wedding planning inspo? We've got you covered at Brit+Co!

Photography courtesy of @niceofwedding.

1923 season 2 premieres on February 23, 2025 — just over two years since the first season ended. Which means, if you're like me, you need a refresher on where your favorite characters stand before pressing play on the new episodes. Who were the Duttons in 1923? What happened to Spencer and Alex on 1923? If you've got questions about the season 1 finale, then you came to the right place!

Here's everything you forgot about the 1923 season 1 ending, before 1923 season 2 premieres February 23.

The '1923' Ending, Explained

Emerson Miller/Paramount+

The 1923 season 1 finale, "Nothing Left To Lose," finds the Duttons, and their friends, scattered across the world — and season 2 will be all about their fight to get back to one another.

After killing Sister Mary, Teonna (Aminah Nieves) is on the run from Father Renaud and Marshall Kent when she's finally reunited with her father Runs His Horse and Pete Plenty Clouds. Literally all I wanted this whole season was for Teonna to reunite with her family and I'm so glad the show gave her something good in the end. It also looks like there could be romance blossoming between her and Pete, but first things first: I need the beginning of season 2 to introduce Teonna to the Duttons (and the cast wants it too!).

The Duttons have a lot to lose in the new season of '1923'

Emerson Miller/Paramount+

Back in town, Jacob (Harrison Ford) finds himself face-to-face with Banner again, who's been released from prison (and who you'll remember was originally arrested for attempted murder. Not cool Banner!!!) But this group has more than Banner to deal with.

Jacob's foreman Zane is attacked by the police while his wife Alice is arrested for their interracial marriage. Elizabeth (Michelle Randolph), pregnant with her and Jack's (Darren Mann) first child, suffers a miscarriage. And when Whitfield shows up to the ranch, he announces that he's paid the property tax the Duttons owed, meaning if they don't pay him the full amount by the end of the year, the land is his. Even though Yellowstone proves the ranch belongs to the Dutton family in the present day, I can't help but feel a little nervous as 1923 keeps playing out.

Emerson Miller/Paramount+

Meanwhile, Spencer and Alex (Brandon Sklenar and Julia Schlaepfer), on their way back to Montana via ship, are interrupted by Alex's ex-fiancé Arthur. Well, until he challenges Spencer to a duel, attacks Spencer after he loses, and ends up getting thrown overboard. Spencer and Alex are immediately separated (Spencer's to be dropped off at the next port, while Alex is locked in her room, set to return to London). But at the last moment, she finally runs to the deck waving a letter from Cara, and promises Spencer she'll meet him in Bozeman, Montana. And I'll definitely see them there.

What did you think about the 1923 season 1 ending when you first saw it? Let us know on Facebook and check out the 25 New TV Shows You NEED To Watch In 2025 (including 1923 season 2, of course).

Who can forget days spent lounging on our grandparents' sofas while they watched one of their preferred 'old-school' TV shows? If they weren't tuned into The Price Is Right or Wheel of Fortune, they were probably watching I Love Lucy or Gilligan's Island. We may have complained at first...until we realized how kooky and fun these series were. Where else were we going to get slapstick comedy in black and white?

Since we hardly see rerun episodes of these timeless classics anymore, we're celebrating them by remembering why we loved them so much — and letting you know where you can stream them right now!

Here are all the old school TV shows we miss seeing on our screens!

Apple TV+

1. I Love Lucy

Stream: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, Paramount+
We thought we'd gladly be housewives if it meant we got to be gorgeous and witty like Lucy Ricardo (Lucille Ball). Together with her on-screen husband Ricky Ricardo (eventual off-screen ex-husband Desi Arnez), she showed that housewives could find things to do besides maintaining a home.
She and her neighbor/best friend Ethel Mertz would often find themselves in hilarious situations that were reprimanded by their Ricky as well as Ethel's husband, Fred Mertz (William Frawley). Remember the episode Lucy and Ethel tried working at a chocolate factory? We vowed never to think we had what it takes to be on anyone's assembly line after watching it.

Amazon Prime Video

2. The Brady Bunch

Stream: Amazon Prime Video, Paramount+

The Brady Bunch took having a stepfamily and turned it on its head with the blended Brady family. Because of their love for each other, Mike and Carol happily took on each other's children as their own: Greg, Marcia, Jan, Peter, Bobby, and Cindy. There was also the housekeeper Alice and the the lovable dog, Tiger!

Each episode seemed to revolve around getting used to living together, sibling rivalry, and more adventures that often ended in valuable lessons. Despite their differences, the Bradys showed that families don't have to be perfect to have a lot of love.

Amazon Prime Video

3. The Andy Griffith Show

Stream: Amazon Prime Video, Peacock, Paramount+
Andy Griffith was America's favorite sheriff and father because he seemed to know just what to say or do in different situations. Goofily assisted by deputy Barney Fife, he worked to balance solving petty crimes with raising his young son, Opie. Also, we can't forget the warmth and wit Aunt Bee brought to the show!

Apple TV+

4. Gilligan's Island

Stream: Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video
Before Lost, many of us remember watching Gilligan's Island with our grandparents. Our favorite part of theme song is, "The ship set ground on the shore of this uncharted desert isle with Gilligan, the Skipper too, the millionaire and his wife, the movie star, the professor and Mary Ann. Here on Gilligan's Isle!"
There were so many different personalities that we could always count on something silly to happen.

Roku

5. I Dream of Jeannie

Stream: Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video
This is a hot take, but I Dream of Jeannie was a little cringe even back then. But, we still loved watching Jeannie make an incredible mark in Captain Tony Nelson's life. We're not saying we agreed with her sneaking into his bag or breaking off his initial engagement, but she sure knew how to cause a scene.
Maybe this is why we love watching reality TV drama 👀.

Amazon Prime Video

6. Leave It to Beaver

Stream: Amazon Prime Video
Leave It to Beaver felt appropriate for us to watch because it was all about young Theodore "Beaver" Cleaver's mischievous adventurous with his friends and the silly sibling rivalry that took place with his older brother Wallace aka Wally. It spoke to the accuracy of growing up as a kid who has an active imagination and too much time on their hands, no different than when some of us were kids.

Peacock

7. The Dick Van Dyke Show

Stream: Peacock, Amazon Prime Video
The Dick Van Dyke Show gave us an imagined look at the production of a TV show where Rob Petrie was the star. Somehow he'd try to split time between his career and personal life, often with funny results. Set in New York, it gave us a taste of having a budding creative career and family, not unlike what some of us having today.

Amazon Prime Video

8. Bewitched

Stream: Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video
Aside from Lucy and Ricky, our favorite TV couple used to be Samantha and Darrin from Bewitched. Despite their love for each other, it's obvious they have hiccups to navigate in their marriage. Darrin wants Samantha fit into suburbia while her family could care less about her changing who she is. With a twitch of her nose, Samantha could deploy a spell in no time...even if Darrin didn't always approve.

Peacock

9. The Munsters

Stream: Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video, Peacock
The Munsters is another classic TV show that seemed to poke fun at living life in the suburbs. Unlike The Addams Family, the Munsters did their best to assimilate into their neighborhood as much as possible. Despite the glaring fact their family's comprised of vampires, Frankenstein, and an unseen pet, it was a touching show that placed a huge value on a family's love for each other.

Apple TV+

9. The A-Team

Stream: Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video
Did we really watch old school TV show reruns if they didn't include one episode of The A-Team? It's the prime reason we randomly say, "I pity the fool," in the voice of Mr. T. Aside from that, Faceman, Hannibal, and Murdock helped round out the team with their various expertise from being in the Special Forces. We saw them go on various 'missions' that usually involved fight scenes, explosives, and risky getaways.
It was a departure from some of the other shows we watched, but there was something exciting about seeing them find outlandish ways to escape narrow moments.

Hulu

11. M*A*S*H

Stream: Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu

Some of us have family members who served in the different branches of the military so watching M*A*S*H helped us make sense of some things that may have happened BTS. Specifically focusing on the 'hospital' portion of the war, M*A*S*H. Though there were some funny moments, but the show also did a great job of showing how scary the war could be.

It was expertly produced in our opinion and continues to be one of the shows we miss watching.

Peacock

12. The Beverly Hillbillies

Stream: Amazon Prime Video, Peacock
Last, but not least, The Beverly Hillbillies routinely takes up space in our brains. There was something funny yet endearing about seeing Jed, Elly May, Jethro, and Granny pack up their lives in the country to move to the glamorous California. The Clampetts may not have been posh like their neighbors, but they made sure there was never a dull moment when they were on TV.

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