How to plan a wedding across two countries

Plenty of diaspora couples marry in two places: the traditional back home, the white wedding or reception where they now live, or simply guests arriving from every direction. It's wonderful, and it's a logistics puzzle. Here's how to solve it.

1. Fix the two anchor dates first

Lock the two main dates before anything else, and leave enough gap that people can attend both if they want to travel. Everything else, venues, flights, vendors, hangs off these two pegs.

2. Give each place its own owner

You cannot be in two countries at once. Have a trusted planner or family member leading on the ground in each location, with clear authority to make small decisions so nothing stalls waiting for you.

3. One link, both weddings

Keep every event, in both countries, on a single wedding website. Each with its own date, venue, dress code and RSVP, and every time shown in each guest's local zone. One source of truth stops the confusion that distance breeds.

4. Plan for the ones who can't travel

Not everyone can fly to both, or either. Add a live stream for the ceremony, and let family who can't come still send a gift or spray the couple online. Nobody should feel left out because of a plane ticket.

5. Sort arrivals and gifts

• Ask travelling guests to share their arrival dates, so pickups and welcome events are easy to arrange.
• Offer cash gifts in more than one currency, so family give in what they hold.
• Block hotel rooms near each venue and share the details on the site.