Looking for the best destination wedding planners? At Thistle & Thorne, we believe your wedding should feel like an unforgettable adventure: joyful, seamless, and entirely your own. Whether your dream day takes you to your dream destination across Canada or across the world, we’re here to blend intentional design with grounded, stress-free logistics, so you can focus on celebrating love in its most beautiful form. From a beach wedding in Punta Cana to a mountain top photo shoot in Toronto, Canada- we know what brides expect and are seriously amazing at making it happen.
Photo by Van Geyt Photography
Destination weddings come with their own set of challenges, including navigating time zones, vendor communication, cultural nuances, and travel details. But don’t worry, that’s where we shine. We guide you through every step with care, expertise, and adaptability. From Spain to Costa Rica to Canada’s most breathtaking destination wedding locations, we’ve coordinated celebrations in multiple countries and time zones, bringing together boutique, one-of-a-kind experiences that never feel cookie-cutter. Wherever love takes you, we’ll be right there with you.
For couples dreaming of a wedding away from home, our full-service destination wedding packages take care of the countless moving parts, nomatter the wedding size. From the first planning call to your final farewell brunch, our team ensures your destination wedding is beautifully personal and completely stress-free. We balance big-picture creativity with on-the-ground precision, helping you:
For couples who crave something wilder than a ballroom, this is for you. Our adventure elopement packages are designed for those who want their “I do” to intimate and unforgettable. Picture saying your vows on a cliffside at sunset, hiking to a secluded mountaintop, or sailing out to exchange rings by the sea. We’ll make it happen.
Photo by Erin Wallis Photography
Photo by Erin Wallis Photography
Photo by Erin Wallis Photography
Photo by Erin Wallis Photography
Photo by Erin Wallis Photography
Photo by Erin Wallis Photography
Photo by Erin Wallis Photography
Photo by Erin Wallis Photography
Photo by Erin Wallis Photography
Photo by Erin Wallis Photography
Photo by Erin Wallis Photography
Photo by Erin Wallis Photography
Photo by Erin Wallis Photography
Photo by Erin Wallis Photography
Photo by Erin Wallis Photography
Photo by Erin Wallis Photography
Photo by Erin Wallis Photography
Photo by Erin Wallis Photography
Photo by Erin Wallis Photography
Photo by Erin Wallis Photography
Photo by Erin Wallis Photography
Photo by Erin Wallis Photography
Photo by Erin Wallis Photography
Photo by Erin Wallis Photography
At Thistle & Thorne, we’re seasoned travelers and logistics nerds who thrive on wrangling moving pieces, people, and plans in places that are brand new to us. Between backpacking trips that included camel rides and nights under the stars to black-tie evenings at the opera, we’ve experienced both ends of the spectrum, and that balance makes us adaptable, unflappable, and endlessly curious about the world. We’re drawn to boutique, intimate destination wedding locations that feel deeply personal, from hidden gems in Spain and Costa Rica to breathtaking spots across Canada. These settings demand thoughtful, robust logistics, and that’s exactly the challenge we love. With an international vendor network, local partnerships, and a focus on weaving culture into every wedding weekend, we design experiences that are both rock-solid in execution and full of heart. Most importantly, we stay grounded, grateful, and playful through the process- because weddings are a big deal, but they should never feel heavy.
Photo by Sara Rogers Photography
In most cases, yes. While hiring a planner is an upfront cost, we often save couples money in the long run by preventing costly mistakes, negotiating with vendors, and keeping budgets realistic. For destination weddings especially, having a planner helps you avoid surprise expenses and ensures you’re spending where it matters most.
It depends on the kind of celebration you’re envisioning. A $5,000 budget can cover a simple elopement or an intimate gathering, especially if you keep guest numbers small. Larger weddings, or destination weddings with travel involved, typically require a higher budget. A planner can help you decide how to stretch your budget and create the best possible experience within it.
Destination wedding planning fees vary depending on the level of service, location, and complexity of logistics. In general, destination planners charge more than local planners because of the additional travel, coordination across time zones, and cultural/legal research involved. At Thistle & Thorne, we create custom proposals so your costs reflect your unique needs, destination, and vision.
The destination wedding cost can range widely, from $10,000 for an intimate elopement to $50,000+ for a full wedding weekend abroad. Factors include guest count, travel costs, venue location, and whether you want multiple events (welcome dinner, excursions, farewell brunch). We help couples set realistic budgets and design weddings that balance dream experiences with smart planning.
The key is having a trusted planner who can be your eyes and ears on the ground. We help with venue scouting, vendor vetting, and communication across time zones. By partnering with local teams and leveraging our global planning experience, we make sure every detail is handled—even if you’re planning from thousands of miles away.
A Canadian-based planner like us travels with you and manages the overall design, logistics, and guest experience, while local planners at your chosen destination often handle on-the-ground execution. We blend both: our team oversees the big picture and partners with trusted local experts to ensure nothing is lost in translation.
Boutique destination weddings are intimate, highly personalized celebrations that steer away from “big box” resort packages. They often take place in unique destination wedding venues—historic villas, private estates, or tucked-away beaches—that require thoughtful planning to bring to life. This is our specialty: weaving local culture into an amazing experience that feels entirely your own.
Start by working with a planner who understands both the logistics and the emotional side of planning. We help you prioritize what matters most, coordinate all the moving parts, and troubleshoot behind the scenes. That way, your wedding day feels like an adventure, not a headache.
Planning your big day should be exciting, not overwhelming. Whether you’re envisioning a grand wedding weekend abroad or a small, stylish Canadian celebration, Thistle & Thorne Weddings is here to make your destination wedding planning experience absolutely amazing.
