April 3, 2025
Uncategorized
Planning A Destination Wedding: The Checklist
Your Month-by-Month Guide to Getting Married Abroad Without the Stress
Dreaming of a wedding under swaying palms, a candlelit ceremony on a clifftop, or saying “I do” in a sun-soaked Hawaii village? Destination weddings are dreams come true, but their planning comes with unique challenges.
From travel and logistics, to foreign regulations and language barriers, there’s a lot to manage. This guide will walk you through each stage of planning, so you can enjoy every moment leading up to your big day.
1+ Year Out: Laying the Groundwork
Before diving into details, focus on building a solid foundation. Set your budget, including travel and accommodations, then draft your guest list. Choose your dream destination and make sure the timing aligns with good weather (and no hurricane/wildfire season!).
Look into the legal marriage requirements for your chosen country, and make sure your passports are valid. Hiring a planner who specializes in destination weddings will save you stress and money as well as a travel agent who can help unlock group rates and their special perks.
1+ Year Out Recap:
- Set your budget
- Create a guest list
- Choose your destination + ideal wedding season
- Check marriage license requirements
- Apply for or renew passports/visas
- Hire a wedding planner
- Consult a travel agent (optional)
- Book your venue and secure your date
- Look into wedding insurance
- Reserve your honeymoon suite
9–11 Months Before: Spread the Word
It’s time to tell your people! Select your wedding party and send Save-the-Dates early as your guests will need time to plan their trip. Set up a room block at a nearby hotel and build your wedding website with travel info, accommodations, and registry links.
Planning to host welcome drinks or a post-wedding brunch? Add those to your timeline now so they can be included in invites and RSVPs; there is no such thing as too much information!
9–11 Months Before Recap:
- Finalize your wedding party
- Send Save-the-Dates
- Reserve hotel blocks for guests
- Build your wedding website
- Plan additional events (welcome party, brunch, etc.)
- Create & update your registry
- Finalize your wedding attire
- Book airline tickets
- Begin booking major vendors
6-8 Months Before: Secure The Details
As your wedding date approaches even closer, it’s time to start finalizing more important details. Begin by scheduling your engagement photo session and working with your venue or caterer to finalize the menu. Book the location for your rehearsal dinner and start planning your bridal shower or any other pre-wedding events.
This is also the ideal time to secure your core vendors, including your photographer, videographer, florist, DJ or musicians, and hair and makeup artists.
6–8 Months Before Recap:
- Schedule engagement shoot
- Finalize catering & bar plans
- Book rehearsal dinner location
- Order invitations
- Finalize wedding attire + party outfits
- Plan bachelor/bachelorette and shower events
- Arrange guest transportation
- Lock in key vendors (photo, video, glam, music, etc.)
3-5 Months Before: Focus On Guest & Style
Your guest list is shaping up, so it’s time to think about the experience. Send out invitations and finalize your RSVP system. You may also want to plan group excursions (snorkeling, wine tasting, hikes, etc.) for an unforgettable guest experience.
Begin shopping for rings, shoes, accessories, and finalize honeymoon travel.
3–5 Months Before Recap:
- Send wedding invitations
- Organize RSVP tracking
- Plan optional group activities
- Shop for rings, shoes, and accessories
- Finalize honeymoon plans
6-8 weeks Before: Final Confirmations
Time to tie up loose ends! Confirm your flight and hotel bookings, vendor contracts, shot lists, and playlists. Review vows and make sure all your legal paperwork is ready.
It’s also a great time to assemble guest welcome bags and order any personalized gifts.
6–8 Weeks Before Recap:
- Confirm flights and hotels
- Finalize vows, readings, and playlists
- Review contracts and logistics
- Ensure legal documents are in place
- Order wedding favors & gifts
- Prep guest welcome bags
3-5 WEeks Before: Pack, Ship, & Prep
Ship out anything bulky, like signage or favors,to your wedding planner or venue. Complete your final dress fitting and follow up on any late RSVPs. Start building your packing list and finalize seating charts.
3–5 Weeks Before Recap:
- Ship items to your coordinator/venue
- Final dress/suit fitting
- Create final a seating plan
- Final RSVP follow-up
- Start packing for the trip
1-2 Weeks Before: Travel Ready
Pick up your wedding attire, finalize travel for your guests, and organize tips and vendor payments. Double-check the weather forecast, prep your emergency kit, and make time for a little self-care before the festivities begin.
1–2 Weeks Before Recap:
- Pick up your Dress
- Confirm travel plans with VIP guests
- Organize vendor tips and payments
- Pack emergency kit & weather prep items
- Get a massage or facial before flying
3-5 Days Before: Arrive & Get Settled
Travel with all important items in your carry-on — including rings, documents, and attire. Once you arrive, walk through your venue, meet vendors in person, and finalize last-minute details like your license, decor setup, or a hair/makeup trial.
3–5 Days Before Recap:
- Travel with attire, rings, and documents in carry-on
- Walk through venue
- Meet with planners and vendors
- Apply for a marriage license (if applicable)
- Distribute welcome bags
- Do beauty trials (if scheduled)
As the final hours approach, take a moment to slow down and enjoy it all. The day before your wedding is the perfect time to steam your attire, run through your rehearsal, and share thoughtful gifts with your wedding party. Most importantly, give yourself the chance to relax and rest — tomorrow is the day you’ve been dreaming of.
When the big day arrives, take it all in. Allow plenty of time to get ready, have your essentials (rings, vows, marriage license) close at hand, and soak up every smile, tear, and dance. You’ve planned, prepared, and poured your heart into this moment — now, all that’s left to do is enjoy it with the people you love most.
