When it comes to wedding planning, few couples take on the challenge of organizing two distinct celebrations in different countries. However, Logan and Brianna did just that, hosting one wedding in Logan’s hometown of Orange, Texas, and another in Prague, Czech Republic, to honor Brianna’s family heritage. Their experiences offer valuable lessons for couples planning to follow in their footsteps and organize two weddings—one close to home and one abroad.

Wedding at Home: Embrace Tradition and Family

Logan and Brianna’s Texas wedding took place at the First United Methodist Church of Orange, a meaningful venue where Logan grew up attending services. Brianna describes it as “a beautiful chapel that still had a medieval flair to it.” The ceremony was intimate, with close family and friends, followed by a courtyard reception featuring cake and hors d’oeuvres. These are some tips they gleaned from their hometown wedding planning experience:

Keep It Simple but Meaningful

A home wedding doesn’t have to be extravagant. Focus on meaningful locations and traditions. Since a few things will inevitably go wrong, it’s smart to keep one of the weddings simple to reduce stress.

Brianna laughs, saying, “The logistics for catering heavy hot passed appetizers in the small town of Orange, Texas, were more stressful than my sit-down dinner in Prague, CZ!”

Consider Hiring the Same Photographer for Both Events

Familiarity with your photographer ensures a cohesive style across events and a relaxed experience. Meet your photography team early and consider hiring them for both local and destination weddings for consistency.

Brianna and Logan met Libby Dollar Photography at a local Houston bridal expo and hired them for both events. By the time the couple got to Prague, the photo-taking process felt effortless!

Destination Wedding: Balance Logistics and Cultural Experiences

For their second celebration, Logan and Brianna chose Prague, a city steeped in history and personal significance for Brianna, whose family heritage is Czech. The reception took place at Villa Richter, a picturesque venue in the heart of the city. Here are a few things the couple learned in their destination wedding planning process.

Choose a Location That Resonates With You, Your Guests, & Their Budgets

There’s no doubt that at least a few—if not many—of your guests will attend both weddings, with some covering travel costs for each. This makes it imperative to choose a compelling destination that is relatively affordable and offers unique experiences

Prague, a highly desirable travel destination, also held deep meaning for Brianna. The bride’s heritage is Czech, and she had spent a summer studying abroad there. It was also the city where Logan proposed, at the Prague Castle Gardens. “Prague was relatively cheap after airfare and hotel,” Brianna adds. “Our hotel served breakfast, and we hosted two dinners. In all, guests didn’t have to spend much more for extra food or tours.”

Plan Immersive Activities for Guests

Enrich the travel experience by organizing local tours or cultural events for your group, giving guests a taste of the destination beyond the wedding.

To immerse their guests in the local culture, Logan and Brianna organized a welcome dinner at a medieval dining hall, a guided city tour, and Czech food with a polka dance during the reception. The bride was surprised by how many guests joined the optional activities. “I assumed most of the guests would have their own plans and NOT want to join us on the optional tours,” Brianna says. “This was great that so many joined, but it caused for larger groups which meant more logistics.”

Do Your Research to Maximize Photo Opportunities

Work with your photographer(s) to plan a rough outline of desired locations for taking photos. Make sure to research these places (such as when peak visitor times are, if any tickets or reservations are required, etc.) so there are no surprises on the day of.

Prague’s stunning landmarks, like the Charles Bridge, Old Town, and Prague Castle, make for incredible wedding photos. However, these spots are crowded with tourists during the day. Drawing from experience and research, the Libby Dollar Photography team scheduled sunrise shoots to ensure iconic views without distractions, allowing the architecture and atmosphere to shine.

Take Time for Yourselves

Reflecting on their experience, Brianna shares, “We spent so much time hosting and coordinating that we wish we’d set aside more time just for us.”

Logan and Brianna’s weddings beautifully blended family traditions with cultural exploration. Whether you’re planning a ceremony close to home or an elaborate destination wedding, their journey proves that with careful planning and a personal touch, your big day can be everything you’ve dreamed of—twice over!

Orange Wedding Vendors: Photography: Libby Dollar Photography; Venue: First United Methodist Church of Orange; Videographer: Jacob Alexander Films; Hair: Eden Hair Artistry; Makeup: Muse Hair and Makeup Artistry; Floral: Plants N Petals; Catering: Old Orange Cafe; Cake: Sachi’s Cakes & Dessert Lab; Gown: Pronovias

Prague Wedding Vendors: Photography: Libby Dollar Photography; Planner: Royal Wedding by Kate; Venue, catering, bar, & dessert: Villa Richter; HMUA: Alina Vagner; Floral: Wow Flowers Prague; Content Creation: Buimova Yulia; Entertainment: Vi Brasil Samba Show