Planning a destination wedding might sound a little bit daunting. But with the right advice, you can plan the destination wedding of your dreams. This list is a great place to start.

Location:

This is the fun part! First, think about the type of location you want.  If you are dreaming of a tropical getaway, perhaps you’d like Bali, Vietnam, or Hawaii. If it’s a romantic European trip that you prefer, consider Lake Como, Tuscany, or The Cote d’Azure. How about someplace exotic like Marrakech or Istanbul? For a rustic mountainous setting, think Yosemite or the Dolomites.

Perhaps there is a location that is meaningful to you as a couple. Consider the scenery. This place will serve as the backdrop to some pretty incredible wedding photos. And be sure to research weather patterns for the time for year you plan to visit.

Marriage License:

Marriage license requirements vary from country to country. Some countries require you to arrive a few days before the wedding. Some require a blood test. Others require that your wedding take place in a church or mayor’s office. Be sure to research the local laws before you make any official plans.

Where to Stay:

First think about how many guests you plan to invite. That may determine what kind of accommodations would be best. If you are having a full-blown wedding, you may want to stay at a hotel or resort. Find a hotel that is convenient for everyone and not too expensive for your guests. Many hotels will give you a group rate when you reserve a block of rooms. For an intimate celebration with just close family and friends, you might rent a large estate where everyone can stay together – like a Tuscan Villa, an English Manor, or a large beach house.

Save-the-Dates:

Save-the-dates for a destination wedding (with dates, location, and your wedding website URL) should go out about 9 months prior to your wedding.  This gives your guests time to budget, get the time off work, update passports, and make all necessary travel arrangements.

Vendors:

If possible, visit your location in advance, and meet vendors in person during that visit. If you can’t visit, then hire a local planner, or use your venue’s site coordinator, who can assist you. Even if you use the venue’s recommended vendors, call or meet with each one directly first and make sure they are an ideal fit for your vision. And be sure you have a contract with each vendor.

If you bring vendors from home, be sure to find out what their travel fees entail, so there aren’t any surprises. Also discuss whether they book their own travel or require you to make their bookings for them. **For instance, I offer a flat rate, which includes all of my travel expenses, so you don’t have to worry about booking travel for me or any additional fees or expenses later on.

If you are booking an all-inclusive resort, they sometimes have an off-site vendor fee, meaning you will have to pay a premium to bring in your own photographer or other vendor for your wedding day. I have written about the reasons why you may want to bring your own photographer to your destination wedding.

The Dress:

Make sure that your wedding dress is suited for the climate and aesthetic of your destination. Also make sure it is something that will travel well.

Never check your dress on a flight! Just as I do with my camera gear, ALWAYS carry on your wedding dress on the plane with you. Speak with an airline representative when you arrive at the airport. They often have a closet where they will store it for you during the flight.

Wedding Website:

Create a wedding website to keep your guests updated on all details.

Communicate all the specifics:

• What are the dates of travel and actual wedding date?
• Will you be paying for a villa for everyone to stay in? Are guests expected to book their own hotel rooms?
• Will you provide local transportation for your guests? This would be a thoughtful thing to do for your guests, at least on the wedding day if the venue is separate from the accommodations.

Also include:

• Maps
• Addresses and phone numbers of hotel/villa/estate
• Phone number for booking transportation
• Schedule of events
• Weather updates
• Packing tips
• Recommended local sites, restaurants, or shopping areas for their free time

Plan Group Activities:

When else will you be on a vacation with this group of friends? Probably never! So plan some fun things to do with your guests on the days leading up to, and after, your wedding.

Here are some ideas:

• Welcome party
• Spa day with the bride
• Golf with the groom
• Snorkeling, wine tasting, high tea, etc (something representative of the location)
• Rehearsal dinner
• Post-wedding brunch

Passports:

If this is your first time applying for a passport, you should begin the process immediately. It can take months to process a new passport here in California! And some countries require you to hold a valid passport for six months prior to your ceremony.

Invitations:

Invitations should be mailed out 8-12 weeks before destination wedding.

Cell Phone Service:

Check with your carrier. You may need to set up international roaming prior to your trip.

Download WhatsApp, and have your guests do the same. This way you can set up a group chat in to keep everyone in the loop. If you configure your phone to only connect to WiFi when traveling, you can avoid roaming charges and still message each other.

Welcome Bags for Your Guests:

Your guests have travelled a long way and spent a lot of money to celebrate with you. Celebrate them with welcome bags. They can include things like:

• A local map or guidebook
• Sunscreen or bug spray
• Champagne
• Bottled water
• Advil (or another hangover remedy)
• Snacks for the room
• Travel essentials
• A handwritten note
• A printed itinerary of events

And Finally:

Enjoy your destination wedding! with a little planning, okay a lot of planning, this will be the time of your lives!