Step By Step: Destination Wedding Planning Checklist
Is it time to get started planning your destination wedding? Use this checklist to help you out with a month to month countdown plan.
Nine Months To a Year Prior:
- Purchase a binder to use for ideas, contracts and other important information
- Make a guest list and start collecting addresses
- Decide on a budget–where can you splurge? What can you save on?
- Pick a destination!
- Research your chosen destination’s marriage requirements
- Start researching potential wedding locations and reception venues
- Book your engagement photo session
- Start shopping for your gown with your destination’s climate in mind
- Choose your bridal party
- Design a wedding website and add all necessary info, such as location, hotel information, tourism board, etc.
Six to Nine Months Prior:
- Set the date, reserve your chosen location and pick a planner
- Send out save-the-dates featuring your website address
- Select all vendors, decide if you want a DJ–have your planner assist you with this
- Research attractions and activities at your wedding destination
- Order your gown and select what your attendants will wear
- Investigate any relevant cultural traditions you may wish to incorporate into your wedding
- Register or create a honeymoon registry
Four to Six Months Prior:
- Order your rings
- Obtain passports/visas if necessary, and get blood tests (also if necessary)
- Arrange rentals, such as tables and chairs, and sound equipment
- Order wedding invites and thank-you cards
- Purchase or reserve groom/attendant clothing
- Book accommodations and airfare for your wedding/honeymoon
- Make hair, makeup and spa appointments for you and your bridesmaids
- Shop for wedding accessories, such as jewelry and lingerie
Two to Four Months Prior:
- Arrange and confirm all group activities, including transportation
- Finalize all details with vendors
- Make or order favors and welcome bags
One to Two Months Prior:
- Send formal invites featuring all necessary information six to eight weeks before the wedding date
- Arrange for the delivery of welcome bags and décor to your hotel
- Have your final gown fitting, lingerie and accessories included
- Assign wedding-week tasks to your bridal party and family
- Write your vows
Two Weeks Prior:
- Review all agreed-upon details with your planner and vendors
- Confirm your travel booking
- Create a seating chart and make place cards
On Arrival:
- Confirm details with your planner and officient
- Apply for a marriage license
- Inspect all wedding location sites
- Assemble or approve welcome bags and have them delivered to guests’ rooms before they arrive
Day of:
- Forget about planning and have an amazing time!
