Planning A Destination Wedding

^{Proverbs 18:22} Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord.

Worksheet: Questionnaire, Wedding Day Check List 

12 Months or more

Cut out pictures and articles that inspire you. Keep them organized in a binder. Complete with budget worksheet, guest list worksheets, and a bridal gown shopping worksheet. It is packed with all a bride needs.

You can attend local bridal shows and this is the hard part. Set a realistic budget.

Start on your guest list. Invite those that you want to spend your wedding with. Destination weddings are smaller, more intimate affairs so don’t feel guilty about not inviting coworkers you barely know. Be prepared for some of the guests you invite to the wedding not to be able to attend for financial or logistical reasons.

 If you plan to get married out of the country, be sure to check the laws to make sure your marriage is recognized in the States. If it is a larger wedding, you may want to look into hiring a wedding coordinator who specializes in destination weddings.  THAT WOULD BE ME.

Start researching different locations for your destination wedding. Things to consider: travel time, seasons/weather (you do not want to have your wedding during hurricane season), cost of accommodations, etc.

Choose a wedding date and start working on Save The Date Cards.

 Know your Budget 

Considerations: airfare, hotel, document processing, meals, transportation, and activities. Don’t forget the all-important wedding items such as attire, photographer, flowers, ceremony fee, etc. These are included at some resorts when you stay a certain number of nights or purchase a Wedding Package.

 Location

 Your Travel Agent should make sure the wedding day is not planned at a location during the local hurricane season or wet months

 How many people do you want to be there…just you and your future spouse? Friends? Family? Are you also planning on honeymooning there or somewhere else?

8-10 months prior 

If you can make a wedding planning trip it will be really helpful to meet with local vendors like: florist, baker, photographer, etc.

Create wedding website with travel information and FAQs for your family and friends.  Create a Bridal Registry

Contact Eternal Passion Travel specializing in Destination Wedding to help negotiate a lower room rate and block your rooms.

Decide if you want a legal or symbolic ceremony. If you would like to get legally married outside the United States, be sure to verify the local marriage residency requirements.

Start looking for wedding invitations.

Research the marriage requirements

It may be as simple as going to the local courthouse to sign a marriage license, or as complicated as translating documents and arriving several days ahead of time. There are destination-wedding coordinators on site that will handle the processing for you. If you are planning on having a ceremony in Mexico, it does require a blood test. It is best to contact your Travel Professional and go over these details.

Wedding Theme

You may want to decide early on what colors or the theme you would like. Make sure the bouquet you dreamed of will work at your destination wedding. A lot of flowers can be shipped in if not grown locally but make sure in advance.

 

 

 

 

Reservations

Book your reservations early! Many resorts and hotels are booked months in advance, especially during peak travel seasons. If you are looking at June thru October we should start planning, these are high seasons for Honeymoons and Destinations Weddings.

Contact me to check available.

 6-7 Months prior

Start looking for your dress. Some dresses can take 4-5 months to make.

Start looking for grooms and groomsmen attire. Order groom and groomsmen attire. Shop for wedding rings and jewelry for your big day

 3-4 Months Prior

Finalize your wedding invitations and mail them out.

Start ordering items for out of town bags of wedding favors.

Start working on your wedding ceremony. Consider writing your own vows to make the day more

personalized.

1 Month prior 

Release any unnecessary rooms
Finalize all wedding day itineraries
Confirm travel arrangements with your agent

2-3 Weeks prior

Make sure you confirm and re-confirm EVERYTHING with your vendors before the wedding

 3-4 Days prior

Arrive at your destination.
If you plan on using a local stylist for your hair and make-up, do a test run with your veil or hairpiece.
If you are having a legal ceremony, finalize all the local requirements to make it legitimate.
Meet with the hotel events coordinator or your wedding coordinator to go over the final details.
Have a welcome dinner in lieu of a rehearsal dinner to thank guests who have travelled so far to share this event with you.
Relax; you’re almost there.

The day of
Be sure to eat a bit and keep hydrated.
Enjoy your special day. You deserve every bit of happiness that comes with it!