The Ultimate Guide to Planning Your Destination Wedding

For many couples, destination weddings are a dream come true.

While planning a wedding is always exciting, getting to say “I do” in a stunning destination is not without its differences from the traditional wedding experience.

So if you’re fantasizing about a beachside ceremony, exchanging vows on top of a mountain, or celebrating with nuptials in a vineyard, this guide will take you through every step of how to make your destination wedding as seamless and memorable as ever.

Pick the Ideal Destination

The first step in your destination wedding planning is choosing a location. Consider the mood you hope to strike — romantic, adventurous, or cultural.

Think about places that are meaningful to you and your partner, like where you took your first trip together or a place you’ve always wanted to go.

It’s also an idea that needs to consider travel time, weather, and access for guests.

A wedding at a Caribbean beach, for instance, might promise balmy weather and breathtaking vistas but you’ll want to steer clear of hurricane season.

If you’re considering a European venue, be ever mindful, of peak tourist season at a given destination, as this will affect travel costs and availability.

Create Your Wedding Budget

Because destination weddings can span a range in cost, it’s important to set a budget early.

Include everything, including major costs, like venue rental, travel, accommodation, food, decor, and outfits.

Keep in mind smaller expenses such as vendor gratuities, wedding favors, and any entertainment you’ll plan for guests.

Consider all-inclusive wedding packages at resorts or venues to save money.

These frequently incorporate providers such as catering, photography, and floral courses of action, which makes overseeing your costs increasingly positive.

Hire a Wedding Planner

Organizing a wedding from another state is daunting enough. Here are some resources to become acquainted with the latter, and find out if you want to hire a destination wedding planner in the first place and why that might save you time and stress.

Years of experience in the industry have made these professionals aware of the local vendors, customs, and regulations, allowing things to go off without a hitch.

Lots of resorts have on-site coordinators who concentrate on destination weddings, which can be astoundingly lower-priced.

If a planner isn’t in your price range, try scoping out local vendors online and setting up virtual meetings to talk about your vision.

Visit the Location in Advance

Try to visit your wedding location at least once ahead of the big day, if possible. This helps you tour the venue in person, meet with vendors, and work out the logistics.

It also gets you a feel for the area and figure out what you might want to do with guests.

If you’re unable to visit before your wedding, request photos, videos and references from your planner or venue coordinator so you can be sure you are seeing things clearly.

Finalize the Guest List

The guest list will greatly influence your planning.” Guests at destination weddings generally don’t have to worry about offending anyone since only the truly committed can travel.

Decide on your must-have attendees and starting from that spread out your list according to your venue size and budget.

So the sooner you send out save-the-dates (ideally 8–12 months before your wedding), the better chance your guests have to plan.

Offer details about the destination, accommodation choices and travel conditions.

Plan Travel and Accommodation

Make it easier on your guests by offering them everything in a range of accommodations.

It’s common for couples to reserve a block of rooms at the venue or at a nearby hotel for convenience.

Consider group discounts for the flights and lodging to get it more affordable for all.

Be sure to provide your guests with all the information they need about traveling to your destination, including passport requirements, visa requirements and any ongoing local COVID-19 restrictions.

Personalize the Ceremony and Reception

One of the pleasures of a destination wedding is that you can weave in aspects of the local culture to your celebration.

From the hometown cuisine to the regional music and decor, bringing in a local touch can really personalize your wedding.

You’re working with your planner or venue to curate a ceremony that captures your style.

Whether you’re saying “I do” on a beach, in a historic chapel or beneath a canopy of trees, the setting must be in line with your vision.

For the reception, consider out-of-the-box strategies to improve the attendee experience.

Think: local food and drinks, interactive elements — such as a photo booth — or a dance floor with a view.

Manage Legal Requirements

Wedding legal requirements can differ by country or state.

Find out what you need well in advance, as some locations require a waiting period or particular documentation.

Common requirements include:

• A birth certificate and passport
• Documents related to marital status (proof of divorce or death of spouse, if any)
• Residency requirements (some countries require a presence for a specified number of days before the ceremony)

If your documents aren’t in the local language, it’s also a good idea to have them translated.

Organize Events Before and After Your Wedding

A destination wedding isn’t just the wedding day—it’s an experience.

To create an experience that your attendees won’t forget, consider hosting a welcome dinner, group excursion, or farewell brunch.

These affairs do not have to be extravagant; even a casual beach picnic or a group tour of the local sights can leave you with wonderful memories to cherish.

Pack Wisely and Plan for the Unexpected

Traffic can be awful during peak travel season, so be on the lookout and allow yourself plenty of time to get to the ceremony venue, equipped with all the essentials, from your dress and suit to rings and important documents.

If possible, ship larger items ahead; when flying, always pack valuables with you in your carry-on bags rather than checking them in your luggage.

It’s also smart to buy wedding insurance to guard against unexpected problems like vendor cancellations or weather-related disruptions.

Enjoy Your Special Day

After all the planning, take time to enjoy it.

Have faith that your planner and vendors will take care of the details so that you can focus and enjoy the moment with your partner and loved ones.

A destination wedding is about celebrating love in a special and memorable way — so remember to enjoy every moment.