Destination Wedding Checklist

Destination weddings are synonymous with fun and fond memories: the bride and groom along with their closest family and friends dart off to an exotic location to celebrate one of the happiest days of their lives. You may think it’s overwhelming to have a destination wedding vs. something close to home, but if you use the right travel consultant who specializing in weddings, they will help you with all of the details while saving you time and money. Here is a general check list you should follow.  Of course if you have less than a year of planning, we can work with you in order to get everything done.

Destination Wedding Checklist:  9 to 12 Months Prior to Your Wedding

• Choose a Date
• Discuss a budget
• Choose a location
• Start a binder and/or Pinterest Board
• Make a guest list
• Select your wedding party
• Shop for a dress
• Choose a travel agent

So all of these things are intertwined.  You have to determine a budget before you can pick a location, & wedding package.  This is where a travel agent can help by doing a lot of the research for you, and discuss the various packages available to you.  We have arranged many weddings, so our wedding coordinator can save you a lot of time in narrowing down the best options for you. The same person will work with you on both the travel and wedding plans.  Keep in mind that if you choose a summer date, prices tend to be higher than in the off season.  If you are choosing a Caribbean destination, keep in mind that it is hurricane season.  Also do you want your wedding indoors or outdoors, as they may change your idea of the perfect dress.  Your Pinterest/binder should be for keeping all of your ideas & inspiration in one place including pictures of dresses, themes you are interested in, flowers, decorations, etc. Once you have everything in place, we will set up a website where guests can book their reservations.  The earlier you choose a destination, the more time your guests will have in order to make payments on their trip, which usually means more people can attend your destination wedding.  Cruise ship weddings are very popular, as well as weddings at hotels throughout the Caribbean, Hawaii & Alaska.

Destination Wedding Checklist:  6 to 9 Months Prior to Your Wedding

• Finalize Vendors
• Send out Save the date
• Choose your menu & cake
• Buy shoes, jewelry, headpiece, lingerie, etc.
• Select bridesmaids & grooms men attire

Many destination weddings will include an officiant, photographer, DJ or band & florist.  If you want to bring your own, then finalize any details with them during this time frame.  Your travel agent can keep you informed of how many guests are booked & send out any emails to your guests on your behalf.

Destination Wedding Checklist:  4 to 6 Months Prior to Your Wedding

• Book make up artist & stylist
• Get your passports
• Purchase your weddings rings
• Finalize your flights
• Shop for honeymoon attire
• Decide if you are having any pre-wedding events or activities (see below on Ways to Enhance Your Destination wedding)
• Make sure bridal party has ordered their dresses & shoes
• Start a play list for the band or DJ

Keep in mind that some hotels & all cruise lines have an excellent spas, but you may want to bring along your own stylist and make up artist.  This means you need to make it part of your initial budget so that you can cover his/her costs.  Many will work at a discount or for free in exchange for a complimentary trip.

Destination Wedding Checklist:  2 to 3 Months Prior to Your Wedding

• Purchase gifts for the bridesmaids
• Purchase any favors or welcome bag items for your guests
• Purchase the grooms gift
• Confirm all details with your travel/wedding consultant

Destination Wedding Checklist: 1 Month Prior to Your Wedding

• Work on a welcome letter & welcome bags
• Have your final fitting
• Make arrangements for how you will transport your dress. If you are flying you want to make sure the dress is protected so contact the airline ahead of time to ensure they have a closet available onboard.  Use a sturdy garment bag.
• Get a final guest list from your travel agent
• Pack your suitcases

Destination Wedding Checklist: When You Arrive

When you arrive, make sure and do a walk through of where the ceremony will be held as well as the reception.  Apply for the marriage license. This may require you arrive a few days early in some destinations.  Have a trial run for your make up and hair if you have the time the day before.  Have your wedding dress pressed.  Enjoy a manicure, pedicure or massage before the big day.

Ways to Enhance Your Destination Wedding

But there are plenty of ways to enhance your destination wedding to make it even more memorable for you and your guests. Here are the top 5 ways to enhance a destination wedding for everyone involved in your special day. Throw a Welcome Party After traveling to your wedding destination, a great way for your guests to unwind and get in the mood to celebrate your upcoming nuptials is by having a welcome party. Throwing a welcome party gives your guests a chance to meet others in your wedding party that they might not know yet. Offering a signature drink at your welcome party is a nice touch and sets the mood for your special event. Welcome Gift Bags Much like a welcome party, it is a nice gesture to offer your guests a thoughtful, personalized gift bag to welcome them to your destination wedding event. Based on the location on your destination wedding, you could pack gift bags customized to your venue. For example, gift bags for an island destination wedding might include goodies such as sunglasses, personalized drink tumblers or koozies, and even local snacks and goodies to welcome your guests to your special occasion. You can monogram nearly any item with the bride and groom’s initials or a unique wedding hashtag so your guests can have a keepsake of your event to look back on forever. Group Activities A great way to get your guests feeling involved and enhance your destination wedding is to plan group activities for your guests. This can range from anything from a private yoga class on the beach, to dance lessons, to cooking lessons from a private chef. Geocaching is another popular group activity where you use a mobile GPS device to search for items in a modern scavenger hunt. Even planning a daily group activity such as meeting at the pool for drinks gives your guests a chance to mingle and create great memories of your wedding. Plan a Group Excursion Since you are already in the ultimate wedding destination of your choice, why not treat your guests to a surprise group excursion? Depending on your location, you could go on a guided hike, a group skiing or snowboarding excursion, parasailing, guided snorkeling, kayaking, or a private cruise excursion. The options are endless and you can cater your excursion based on your wedding location and your guests’ preferences. Group Photo Shoot Another great way to enhance a destination wedding is to plan a group photography session for you and your guests. Your photo shoot can range from an informal group photo shoot arranged by your wedding planner, or you can choose to schedule a professional photography session for your wedding party with fun locations and props. You can arrange the photos into a keepsake photo album or collage for you and your guests to remember your special day.

Destination Weddings: Places to Consider

Destination weddings and romantic getaways go hand in hand. For the ultimate romantic escape inspiration, see our guide to Best All-Inclusive Overwater Bungalows in the Caribbean — perfect for honeymoons, anniversaries, or destination wedding pre-celebrations.