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<p>Once upon a time, weddings were a grand, though mostly systematic, affair—a whirlwind of ceremonial events typically held over a weekend, for convenience, and at a location that never strays too far from home.</p>
<p>And while most still play by the general rulebook, the time-worn tradition has since evolved to include a few other considerations: changing times and trends, cultural influences, and how worthy a photo opportunity can this venue be?</p>
<div id='gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-152433 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-full'><figure class='gallery-item'>
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				<a href='https://staging.destinasian.com/lijiang-china-credit-photography-maritha-mae/'><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1080" height="720" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Lijiang-China-CREDIT-Photography-Maritha-Mae.jpg" class="attachment-full size-full" alt="Wedding planner tips. Lijiang in China. A mix of romantic scenery and heritage charm. Photo Credit: Maritha Mae Photography." aria-describedby="gallery-1-152441" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Lijiang-China-CREDIT-Photography-Maritha-Mae.jpg 1080w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Lijiang-China-CREDIT-Photography-Maritha-Mae-300x200.jpg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Lijiang-China-CREDIT-Photography-Maritha-Mae-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Lijiang-China-CREDIT-Photography-Maritha-Mae-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px" style="width:100%;height:66.67%;max-width:1080px;" /></a>
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				Wedding planner tips. Lijiang in China. A mix of romantic scenery and heritage charm. Photo Credit: Maritha Mae Photography.
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				<a href='https://staging.destinasian.com/readers-choice-awards/winners/best-hotel-loyalty-programs/audrey-paris-photo-776-of-923/'><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1080" height="720" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/AUDREY-PARIS-PHOTO-776-of-923.jpg" class="attachment-full size-full" alt="Phuket&#039;s Vanderbilt Estate is an industry favourite for grand, European-style celebrations. Credit: Audrey Paris Photography" aria-describedby="gallery-1-152442" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/AUDREY-PARIS-PHOTO-776-of-923.jpg 1080w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/AUDREY-PARIS-PHOTO-776-of-923-300x200.jpg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/AUDREY-PARIS-PHOTO-776-of-923-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/AUDREY-PARIS-PHOTO-776-of-923-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px" style="width:100%;height:66.67%;max-width:1080px;" /></a>
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				Phuket&#8217;s Vanderbilt Estate is an industry favorite for grand, European-style celebrations. Credit: Audrey Paris Photography. 
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				<a href='https://staging.destinasian.com/laurahiro_twc_zuzubirkhof-8377/'><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1080" height="721" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/LauraHiro_TWC_zuzubirkhof-8377.jpg" class="attachment-full size-full" alt="Seiryu-den Temple, a UNESCO heritage temple in Kyoto during the day . Credit: Zuzu Birkhof Photography" aria-describedby="gallery-1-152439" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/LauraHiro_TWC_zuzubirkhof-8377.jpg 1080w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/LauraHiro_TWC_zuzubirkhof-8377-300x200.jpg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/LauraHiro_TWC_zuzubirkhof-8377-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/LauraHiro_TWC_zuzubirkhof-8377-768x513.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px" style="width:100%;height:66.76%;max-width:1080px;" /></a>
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				Seiryu-den Temple, a UNESCO heritage temple pictured in Kyoto during the day. Credit: Zuzu Birkhof Photography.
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				<a href='https://staging.destinasian.com/laurahiro_twc_zuzubirkhof-9341/'><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1080" height="721" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/LauraHiro_TWC_zuzubirkhof-9341.jpg" class="attachment-full size-full" alt="A serene Seiryu-den Temple in Kyoto in the evening. Credit: Zuzu Birkhof Photography." aria-describedby="gallery-1-152438" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/LauraHiro_TWC_zuzubirkhof-9341.jpg 1080w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/LauraHiro_TWC_zuzubirkhof-9341-300x200.jpg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/LauraHiro_TWC_zuzubirkhof-9341-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/LauraHiro_TWC_zuzubirkhof-9341-768x513.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px" style="width:100%;height:66.76%;max-width:1080px;" /></a>
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				A serene Seiryu-den Temple in Kyoto in the evening. Credit: Zuzu Birkhof Photography.
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				<a href='https://staging.destinasian.com/laurahiro_twc_zuzubirkhof-1843/'><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1080" height="721" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/LauraHiro_TWC_zuzubirkhof-1843.jpg" class="attachment-full size-full" alt="Outdoors at Seiryu-den Temple in Kyoto. Credit: Zuzu Birkhof Photography." aria-describedby="gallery-1-152435" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/LauraHiro_TWC_zuzubirkhof-1843.jpg 1080w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/LauraHiro_TWC_zuzubirkhof-1843-300x200.jpg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/LauraHiro_TWC_zuzubirkhof-1843-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/LauraHiro_TWC_zuzubirkhof-1843-768x513.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px" style="width:100%;height:66.76%;max-width:1080px;" /></a>
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				Outdoors at Seiryu-den Temple in Kyoto. Credit: Zuzu Birkhof Photography. 
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<p>With all things considered, none are perhaps as significant as the weaving in of personal touches that capture two shared lives as a whole. Michele Li, founder of <a href="https://theweddingcohk.com/?DestinAsian">The Wedding Company</a> and a seasoned planner in <a href="https://destinasian.com/travel-guide/hong-kong">Hong Kong</a> and beyond for over 20 years, shares a few of her trade secrets or wedding planner tips to what couples should look for when it comes to planning a truly special wedding in 2026.</p>
<h2><b>Something Beautiful: Unique Destinations</b></h2>
<p>A destination makes up half the experience and is, no doubt, the first thing on any newly engaged couple’s minds. Here in Asia, there are perennial classics for a quintessential storybook wedding—<a href="https://destinasian.com/travel-guide/thailand/phuket">Phuket</a> is still very much a favorite go-to for beachside ceremonies, especially with the island’s breathtaking locations and five-star properties. It’s also a happy middle-ground for parties with international guests, Li reveals.</p>
<p>However, she says couples are increasingly choosing destinations that don&#8217;t necessarily lean towards luxury but rather, unique, preferring under-the-radar locations that add a curious sense of discovery.</p>
<p>“I don’t think there will be one single “It” destination anymore. More broadly, it&#8217;s destinations that feel authentic, culturally rich, and a little slower-paced where I see interest continuing to grow.”</p>
<div id='gallery-2' class='gallery galleryid-152433 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-full'><figure class='gallery-item'>
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				<a href='https://staging.destinasian.com/laurahiro_twc_zuzubirkhof-2263/'><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1080" height="1619" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/LauraHiro_TWC_zuzubirkhof-2263.jpg" class="attachment-full size-full" alt="Personalized moments make the day feel extra special. Credit: Zuzu Birkhof Photography." aria-describedby="gallery-2-152436" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/LauraHiro_TWC_zuzubirkhof-2263.jpg 1080w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/LauraHiro_TWC_zuzubirkhof-2263-200x300.jpg 200w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/LauraHiro_TWC_zuzubirkhof-2263-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/LauraHiro_TWC_zuzubirkhof-2263-768x1151.jpg 768w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/LauraHiro_TWC_zuzubirkhof-2263-1025x1536.jpg 1025w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px" style="width:100%;height:149.91%;max-width:1080px;" /></a>
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				Personalized moments make the day feel extra special. Credit: Zuzu Birkhof Photography.
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				<a href='https://staging.destinasian.com/audrey-paris-photo-379-of-923/'><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1080" height="1439" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/AUDREY-PARIS-PHOTO-379-of-923.jpg" class="attachment-full size-full" alt="The lush gardens and greenery on the grounds of Vanderbilt Estate in Phuket. Credit: Audrey Paris Photography." aria-describedby="gallery-2-152440" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/AUDREY-PARIS-PHOTO-379-of-923.jpg 1080w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/AUDREY-PARIS-PHOTO-379-of-923-225x300.jpg 225w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/AUDREY-PARIS-PHOTO-379-of-923-769x1024.jpg 769w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/AUDREY-PARIS-PHOTO-379-of-923-768x1023.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px" style="width:100%;height:133.24%;max-width:1080px;" /></a>
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				The lush gardens and greenery on the grounds of Vanderbilt Estate in Phuket. Credit: Audrey Paris Photography.
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<p><a href="https://destinasian.com/travel-guide/japan">Japan</a>, with a rich cultural heritage, has been especially popular, admired for its strong sense of place, focus on craftsmanship, and time-honored rituals. Li pinpoints <a href="https://destinasian.com/travel-guide/japan/kyoto-travel-guide">Kyoto</a> and the countryside in particular for destinations that feel understated rather than overexposed, introducing a more genuine atmosphere to ceremonies rather than the traditional spectacle.</p>
<p><a href="https://destinasian.com/travel-guide/china">China’s</a> Lijiang has also been one of Li’s recent favorites. The picturesque county in the highlands of <a href="https://destinasian.com/editorial/chalu-sparkling-tea-brand-yunnan-china">Yunnan</a> province is known for its serene natural landscapes, especially the majestic Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. “There’s a real sense of peace and stillness that feels untouched, and that makes the whole experience incredibly special for both the couple and their guests.”</p>
<h2><b>Something Intimate: Personal Touches</b></h2>
<p>Somewhere along the way, weddings lost a fervor for personality. Li shares that couples are leaving behind traditional programs in favor of something that feels authentic—with details that actually align with each other. “Couples, especially Gen Z, are really moving away from anything that feels cookie-cutter. They want weddings to feel immersive and personal—more like a curated experience than a traditional event.”</p>
<p>It isn’t just in style or aesthetics, but subtle moments like elevated weekday weddings for more intention rather than simply scaling down, or editorialized photography rather than overly posed shots. It could be weaving live performances into evening celebrations, with personalized playlists or re-composed classical pieces.</p>
<p>As for dinners, Li reveals as wedding planner tips that the evening program is becoming more of an intimate occasion rather than a formal banquet, echoing the casual style of personal dinner parties.</p>
<p><a href="https://destinasian.com/luxury-travel/spotlight/sustainable-travel-luxury-with-responsibility">Sustainability</a> is also popular, with growing awareness of eco-friendly decor and fewer disposable elements. “Couples are playing close attention to the guest experience with small details attended to throughout the celebration.”</p>
<h2><b>Something Special: Genuine Moments</b></h2>
<p>There’s a sea of bridal mood-boards, trend reports, and wonderfully creative ideas that offer an alternative to traditional setups. Without succumbing to the pressure of incorporating something new, different, or unique—say, for example, a dramatic, high-octane getaway or live event painters—Li encourages focusing on details that are authentic to the event and the couple’s personalities. “Make decisions that genuinely reflect who you are as a couple—not just how it looks in photos.”</p>
<p>Consider moments that effectively contribute to the day as a whole for each other, rather than sprinkling in trends that work to entertain. Every component should feel like a natural extension of the couple and their shared lives and interests, prioritizing their comfort and ease, however extroverted or understated.</p>
<p>“Try to be less trend-driven and more focused on places and details that feel meaningful to you,” Li advises. It could look like an unplugged private vow ceremony or hand-written letters instead of place-cards—the day, after all, is for couples to decide.</p>
<h2><b>Something To Remember: Thoughtful Hospitality</b></h2>
<p>Last destination wedding planner tips that could be given is to remember that every couple likely has a running list of their very own, checked twice or thrice, for smooth logistics leading up to the Big Day. Besides obvious essentials, Li reminds brides to think of the intangibles: weather, for one, and then the guest experience as a whole.</p>
<p>“The time of year can completely change the experience, so think not only of the season, but also the humidity and the wind,” she shares. “Accessibility is also key: how easy it is for guests to reach the destination or how simple it is to get around once they arrive. Maybe even, what guests could do outside of the wedding.”</p>


Wedding planner tips. Lijiang in China. A mix of romantic scenery and heritage charm. Photo Credit: Maritha Mae Photography.

A Wedding Planner’s Tips for Creating a Special Destination Celebration