Planning a wedding in Lebanon from abroad, step by step

Thousands of Lebanese couples who live abroad come home every year to get married, usually in summer, with family flying in from three or four countries. Planning from a distance is completely doable. It just needs a different order of steps than planning from Beirut.

1. Fix the date and the region first

Everything else depends on these two choices. Summer weekends, from June to September, are the busiest time of the year for venues and suppliers, and popular dates are often booked a year ahead. If you have flexibility, a Thursday or Sunday, or a date in May or October, gives you more choice and better weather than you might expect.

Then pick the region. A beach wedding in Byblos and Batroun, a garden in the Metn, a rooftop in Beirut or a vineyard in the Bekaa all set a different mood, and they also decide where your guests will stay.

2. Book the venue, then the photographer

The venue and the photographer are the two bookings that fill up first, so secure them before anything else. Browse venues by region, shortlist three or four, and ask each one for availability on your date before you fall in love with the photos.

For photography and video, look at full wedding galleries, not only the highlights on Instagram. A complete gallery shows you how a photographer handles getting ready, the zaffe, family photos and the dance floor, which is what you will actually receive.

3. Build your shortlist together

When you plan from abroad, the people helping you are usually spread across countries: your partner, your parents in Lebanon, a sister in another city. Use the heart on any supplier to save them to your shortlist, then tap Copy the list to send names, numbers and links to everyone in one message.

4. Ask for quotes on WhatsApp

Lebanese suppliers answer fastest on WhatsApp. On every profile with a WhatsApp number, the Ask for a quote form puts your date, guest count and the country you live in into one ready message, so suppliers know straight away that you are planning from abroad.

Ask every supplier the same questions so you can compare answers:

• Are you available on our date?
• What is included in the price, and what costs extra?
• How much is the deposit, and how do you accept payment from abroad?
• Can we meet on a video call before booking?

5. Plan one trip for the decisions that need you there

Most choices can be made from a distance. A few are better in person: a venue visit, a menu tasting, a dress fitting and a short meeting with your planner or photographer. Group them into one trip a few months before the wedding.

6. Do not forget the party

A Lebanese wedding is judged by its dance floor. Book your zaffe, band or DJ early, and share a list of the songs that matter to your families. Browse entertainment and zaffe and wedding DJs to compare styles.

Plan from anywhere. Celebrate at home.

Ready to start? Browse all suppliers and save your favourites.