The Best Destination Wedding Checklist

If you ’ ve make up look for for theultimate destination wedding checklist, face no further ! Chance are you ’ re likely overcome by the numerous tasks that lie in ahead of you now that you ’ ve decide to take the plunge and link the knot away from home .

Not just are you planning a wedding , but you ’ re as well planning a holiday for you and your guests as good as a honeymoon . It can cost really overwhelming and things can quickly fall through the crack if you ’ re not organized .

There ’ s so much to serve , but where do you commence ? Use this destination marry checklist to keep you organized , mighty on agenda , and most of all ,sane! ! You can yet download it here for free .

• Your Destination Marry Checklist : 9-12 months before+−

  • Decide on your wedding style
  • Determine your budget
  • Decide on a wedding destination and research the rules
  • Start vetting venues & vendors
  • Pick a wedding date
  • Do a site visit
  • Lock down your location
  • Get organized with a wedding folder or binder
  • Create your guest list
  • Collect contact information
  • Choose your bridal party
• Your Destination Marry Checklist : 6-9 month before+−

  • Choose an officiant
  • Lock down a photographer
  • Reserve a block of hotel room for guests
  • Create your wedding website or App
  • Send out save-the-dates
  • Finalize your floral arrangements
  • Settle on a menu and cake–yum !
  • Book your alive circle or DJ
  • Accessorize , accessorize !
  • Decide on your bridesmaid dress
  • Make a wedding registry
• Your Destination Wedding Checklist : 4-6 month before+−

  • Get those passports ready !
  • Get any required vaccines or blood test
  • Buy your bling
  • Order the wedding invitation
  • Book your travel
  • It ’ s all in the details–so buy them !
  • Honeymoon attire time
  • Arrange wedding day transportation
  • Design the pre-wedding event
  • Get the groom ’ sec and groomsmen ’ s dress
  • Check on those bridesmaids ’ clothes
  • Plan those playlists
• Your Destination Marry Checklist : 2-3 month before+−

  • Finalize favors and welcome purse detail
  • Get final confirmation from every vendor
  • Mail out the invitations
  • Finalize your hair and make-up artist
  • Find a gift for your fiance
  • Buy your bridal party gifts
• Your Destination Marry Checklist : 1 month before+−

  • Attend the last gown fitting
  • Design your marry dress rescue
  • Organize the welcome bag contents
  • Settle on your welcome purse delivery
  • Rate your curriculum
  • Finalize those vows & reading
  • Confirm hotel reservations
  • Settle on a seating chart and place cards
• Your Destination Marry Checklist : 2 week before+−

  • Confirm all travel and accommodations one more time
  • Re-confirm the details with every vendor
  • Look back your RSVPs
• Your Destination Marry Checklist : 1 week before+−

  • Start packing
• Your Destination Marry Checklist : When you come+−

  • Inspect Your ceremony & reception venues
  • Do a walk through or rehearsal
  • Apply for a marriage license
  • Finalize everything with your officiant and planner
  • Take concern of any required ancestry run
  • Assemble and bear the welcome bags
  • Arrange pitch of floral arrangement
  • Get your beauty trials
  • Lock down the menu
  • Ensure a wrinkle-free wedding dress
  • Mani/pedi anyone ?
• Your Wedding Day Checklist+−

  • Make sure you have your ring
  • Give your fiance their gift
  • Breathe . Be present . Celebrate !
• Download & Print this Destination Wedding Checklist

• Determine on your wedding style
• Determine your budget
• Decide on a wedding destination and inquiry the rules
• Start vetting venues & vendors
• Pick a wedding date
• Cause a site visit
• Lock down your location
• Get organized with a wedding folder or binder
• Produce your guest list
• Collect contact information
• Prefer your bridal party

• Choose an officiant
• Lock down a photographer
• Reserve a pulley of hotel rooms for guests
• Create your marry website or App
• Station out save-the-dates
• Finalize your floral arrangements
• Settle on a menu and cake–yum !
• Book your alive band or DJ
• Accessorize , accessorize !
• Decide on your bridesmaid dresses
• Create a wedding registry

• Get those passports ready !
• Get any needed vaccines or ancestry tests
• Buy your bling
• Order the wedding invitation
• Book your travel
• It ’ s all in the details–so buy them !
• Honeymoon attire time
• Arrange wedding day transportation
• Plan the pre-wedding events
• Get the groom ’ sec and groomsmen ’ s dress
• Check on those bridesmaids ’ clothes
• Plan those playlists

• Finalize favors and welcome base items
• Get last confirmation from every vendor
• Mail out the invitation
• Finalize your hair and make-up artist
• Find a talent for your fiance
• Buy your bridal party gifts

• Go to the final gown fitting
• Plan your wedding dress rescue
• Organize the welcome bag capacity
• Decide on your welcome purse rescue
• Order your programs
• Finalize those vows & readings
• Confirm hotel reservation
• Settle on a seating chart and property card

• Confirm all travel and accommodations one more time
• Re-confirm the detail with every vendor
• Review your RSVPs

• Start packing

• Visit Your ceremony & reception venues
• Do a pass through or rehearsal
• Apply for a marriage permit
• Finalize everything with your officiant and planner
• Take concern of any required ancestry test
• Assemble and redeem the welcome bags
• Arrange rescue of floral organization
• Get your beauty trials
• Lock down the menu
• Ensure a wrinkle-free wedding dress
• Mani/pedi anyone ?

• Make sure you have your rings
• Hand your fiance their gift
• Breathe . Be present . Celebrate !

Your Destination Wedding Checklist : 9-12 month before

Decide on your wedding fashion

Before you can make anything else , you and your fiancé require to decide how bad or bold you ’ d like to live . Will this be a big festivity with 150+ guests ? Are you await for something more inner ? You ’ ll also desire to determine on the point of formality before you initiate planning .

Settle your budget

Once you ’ ve consider the size and style of your wedding , it ’ s time to crunch numbers . Create a detailed budget for your large day , and put on ’ t leave all the trivial things like stamps and thank-you card . Account for the money you get today , what you ’ ll realistically be able to redeem in the future few month and any contribution from parents .

Decide on a wedding destination and inquiry the dominion

Hence , where act you need to get hitched ? Somewhere warm and tropical ? Possibly in the mountain ? Make a short list of dream wedding destinations and set out to research the requirements for a legal marriage in each . If you ’ re stuck between two , this research may assist you choose the easier choice . You can hire a destination wedding travel agent if you want aid from outset to finish .

Start vetting venues & vendors

Today that you ’ ve narrowed down a location , research venues and local destination wedding vendors . Request proposals and images to see if they match your wedding budget and manner .

Pick a wedding date

After you pick out your wedding destination and venue , it ’ s time to choose a date . You may desire to inquiry the times of yr with the serious weather , or perhaps month with the small crowds . Learn about some destination marry dates to head off . Too , you own to create certain your chosen venue live available on the date you want . No thing what , make sure you extend the date by any loved ones you need to have by your slope .

Serve a site visit

If time and budget allow , inflict your destination marry location before you record . You put on ’ t want any surprise when you arrive , after all . Hear to do this after you ’ ve narrowed down your vendors so you can schedule food tastings , beauty trial , and maybe even an engagement session with your photographer .

Lock down your location

When you ’ ve act all the research you can , double-checked your date , and reviewed your budget , it ’ s time to set down the deposit on your venue . This cost a huge step ! Revel it .

Get organize with a wedding folder or binder

Design a wedding be a vast project with thus many travel while . Aid yourself stay organized so you can love the process . Whether digital or paper , create a system where you can store your budget , paperwork , contract , to-do lists , and any inspiration for the bad day .

Make your guest list

Solidifying a guest list can be excess severe for destination wedding . Often , the list cost smaller than it would live for a hometown wedding . Just think that wedding etiquette is a bit unlike for destination weddings–it ’ s OK to stick to with your close bunch . If you need somewhere to set out , just pen down everyone you ’ d yet look at inviting . Then set out separate out your top-tier guests–you know , the one you couldn ’ t suppose the day without . From thither , study with your spouse to consider how many guests you can afford , parental stimulus , and other element . You ’ ve got this !

Collect impinging information

Gather your guest ’ email and mailing address as shortly as possible . You can keep lead of them all employ this RSVP chase plane . This way you can commence be after save-the-dates and other communication .

Prefer your bridal party

You and your fiancé should resolve how many enjoy ones you want in your wedding party . Once that ’ s settled , it ’ s time to personally invite each bridesmaid and groomsman to stand by your slope . Build sure these invites are ship out rather than later on so they can set out to save for travel and attire .

Say ‘ yes ’ to the dress ( or tux )

The moment you ’ ve been wait for : wedding clothes and attire shopping ! Make certain you think your destination ’ sec climate when searching . Consider unpredictable constituent like temperature , tip , sand , and water . Read this guide to pick out a destination wedding clothes for more tips .

Your Destination Wedding Checklist : 6-9 month before

Choose an officiant

It ’ s crucial to give this choice a lot of sentiment . After all , they ’ re operate the ceremony and play a memorable purpose in your wedding . If you be religious , you ’ ll motive to find someone local who practices your religion . If you ’ re prefer a friend or family member , you involve to furnish them with the time and resource to become enact .

Lock down a photographer

If you haven ’ t act this already , make sure you act it ASAP because the serious unity come booked rapidly ! For many couple , the photographer is one of the most significant vendors because they seize the memories that will last forever . If the budget allow , I recommend setting up an engagement shoot with your photographer . This is the utter opportunity to have to know each other . Marry photo equal an intimate thing , and being familiar with your photographer will make it less awkward and way more fun .

Reserve a pulley of hotel rooms for guests

When hosting a destination wedding , it ’ s proper etiquette to set aside room for your guest so they put on ’ t have to stress about lodge . It ’ s also far more fun if all of your guests are stay on in one place because they can socialize before and after the wedding . If you decide to hire a travel agent , share their info with your guest .

Produce your wedding website or App

Regard attempt easy-to-use destination wedding websites or an app . This is the well way to portion wedding point with guest . And these platforms extend life-saving tools like a guest list and RSVP coach , email services , personalized website design , and some even bid a travel concierge to aid with booking hotel and early comforts .

Send out save-the-dates

Do it official by station out your save-the-dates at least 6 months before the big day . Do sure you include the date and destination of your wedding along with your marry website URL . Or you can even send your wedding website asthe‘ write the date ’ . Today your guests can have access to all the fun details , and everyone can live as excited as you !

Finalize your floral arrangements

Affirm your floral vendor and commit them organization that inspire you . Don ’ t forget your marry bouquet , bridesmaids ’ bouquet , boutonnieres , centerpieces , and other placement .

Settle on a menu and cake–yum !

Once you ’ ve enjoyed all those free tastings , it ’ s time to settle on a last menu and marry cake ( or early dessert ) . When choosing , consider your and your fiancé ’ s favorite dishes , loved ones ’ dietary motive , and how the food can reflect your beautiful destination . For example , you could include locally grown ingredient or the country ’ s signature dish .

Book your live band or DJ

Music can build or expose a wedding , thus make sure you serve your inquiry and book your entertainment quickly . Pros of a alive band : unique , circle of energy , and an opportunity for mashups and medleys . Pros of a DJ : more affordable , wider kind , no musician break .

Accessorize , accessorize !

Today that you have your wedding attire , it ’ s time to lend the frosting . Regard shoe that will cost comfortable for you and your destination ( sand can be tricky ) . Think about the possibility of windy conditions when you pick a veil or early headpiece . Early accessories to shop for are jewelry , a garter , and marry dark lingerie .

Settle on your bridesmaid dresses

There are then many selection for bridesmaid dresses , then here live a few fashion to narrow them down . First , make you desire to fuse and couple or die with one style ? Then , do you want to go long or short ? These two questions alone will help you get focus . If you decide to fuse and match , there are sword specifically created for this purpose , specially if you ’ d like your bridesmaids to blame their most flattering neckline . If you ’ re comfortable assigning a color and letting your bridesmaids choose their own gowns , you can give them a list of requirements ( neckline , distance , material , modesty ) and signal off on each purchase . Custom dresses can require a long time hence make sure they order today .

Create a wedding registry

You may not want to admit it , but creating your wedding registry is just plain fun . Note that destination registries can be a minute unlike . For lesson , you can include the gift of experience during your wedding weekend ( couples massage , off-resort excursion , etc. ) . And make sure you receive a broad range of price item available since your guests are already spend money on travel . They receive budgets hardly like you !

Your Destination Wedding Checklist : 4-6 month before

Get those passports ready !

It can take up to three months to have a new passport , so make sure you serve this at least four months prior to difference . It might be helpful to ship a friendly reminder to wedding guests , too .

Get any required vaccines or blood tests

Depend on your destination , you may be expect to begin certain vaccinations or ancestry test . Serve the research and portion your findings with guests so they can take it off their to-do list also .

Buy your bling

Sure , you ’ ve cost star in awe at your employment ring for month now , but it ’ s time to buy the wedding bands . This is a good time to purchase a cute gang box for marry day photo , also .

Order the wedding invitation

More beautiful mail ! It ’ s time to order your formal wedding invitation . In increase to the RSVPs and plus-ones , today ’ s the time to need for meal preferences .

Book your travel

Time to volume your flights ! Pay attention to move time , layovers , etc . to redeem as much energy as you can for the wedding . Encourage your guests to book their travel too .

It ’ s all in the details–so buy them !

Thus much personalization can look in the short things , like your guest book , cake topper , centerpieces , and early décor . When ordering , exist mindful of how you will get these item to the destination without spend too much money on excess luggage or shipping .

Honeymoon attire time

More shopping ? No trouble . It ’ s time to start planning and shopping for your honeymoon attire . Cover yourself to some novel , fun outfit .

Arrange wedding day transportation

First , if you plan on result the venue for marry photos , reach certain a limo or bus equal ready for your marry party . If your wedding be off-resort , you ’ ll also desire to check that wedding guests get easy access to transportation from their hotel to the venue .

Plan the pre-wedding event

Think through how you ’ d like to welcome your guest . Equal you having a welcome reception with cocktails and appetizers ? Is thither a pre-wedding excursion or pool party ? And put on ’ t forget to finalize all the details of your rehearsal dinner , like the menu , welcome address , and literal rehearsal .

Make the groom ’ sec and groomsmen ’ s attire

Decide on coordinating groomsmen dress and accessories , like their link and pocket square . Keep the weather in mind when designing their looks . A wool case would not do good on a beach , after all .

Check on those bridesmaids ’ dresses

Because tradition bridesmaid dress take a long time to ship , it ’ s important to double-check that your ‘ maid cost on top of it . That style , you can invest out any fires now vs. when it ’ s too late . If they ’ ve welcome their gown , ask them to check the fit and start planning alterations .

Plan those playlists

Surely , every DJ enjoy a must-play list , but don ’ t forget a do-not-playlist . If “ YMCA ” and “ The Chicken Dance ” would ruin the climate , you ’ ve got to allow the DJ know ! Keep updating each list with novel song and guest requests for the next few months .

Your Destination Marry Checklist : 2-3 month before

Finalize favor and welcome base detail

One way to show gratitude to your guests be through destination welcome base or wedding favors . Either can equal both creative and practical . For case , you could give them hotel key holder or hangover recovery kits .

Get last confirmations from every vendor

Use that wedding binder to double-check every detail with every vendor . Make sure they have an accurate schedule , guest count , and contact information . And get it all in writing !

Mail out the invitations

Once you ’ ve double-checked all the item , send out the invites . Get ready for the RSVPs to take off wrap in !

Finalize your hair and make-up artist

If you haven ’ t perform this , today exist the time . Ask your local planner or the resort you ’ re staying at for referrals . Stylists love inspo pics , so have those ready before trials .

Find a talent for your fiance

Some couples like to hold each other a personalized gift before they say “ I do. ” If this equal you , it ’ s time to brainstorm and buy your loved one a little something . Stuck ? Try Etsy for one-of-a-kind items .

Buy your bridal party gifts

It ’ s time to show your marry party some love ! They ’ ve go supra and beyond to tolerate by you on your particular day , so point them how much it means to you with a thoughtful gift . You can die sentimental and personalized , or regard practical point for their stay , like a beach tote or Pashmina .

Your Destination Wedding Checklist : 1 month before

Attend the last gown adjustment

When check the final fit of your wedding dress , make certain it feels comfortable and look gorgeous with your accessories , shoes , and whatever bra/underwear you ’ ll live wear on your wedding day . This is also when you ’ ll learn to bustle the dress , so bring a bridesmaid to discover the ins and outs before the big day .

Plan your marry clothes delivery

Once you ’ ve make that last adjustment and everything is utter , do organization to peck up your dress or make it delivered to your plate .

Organize the welcome base contents

Double-check that you have all the goodies for your welcome handbag . If you ’ re personalizing each base for each guest , today ’ s the time to get coordinate .

Settle on your welcome base pitch

There exist a few ways to create certain your guests begin their thoughtful gifts . You can hand deliver them , give them out at the welcome party , or have the resort home them in each way . Either path , you ’ ll motive to have the bags to your destination , thus make sure you study our tips on how to travel with your marry welcome purse .

Dictate your program

Ceremony programs are a humble point that guests enjoy . They come to trace along during the wedding , learn the names of your marry party , and save them as a souvenir . For warm destinations , consider plan fan !

Finalize those vows & readings

One of the most memorable moments of your nuptials will exist when you exchange wedding vows . If you ’ re write them yourselves , I recommend starting now . It can need a few drafts to become them just mighty . If you ’ re going with something pre-written , great ! Commit it over to your officiant so they can review and reference them . The same goes for any ceremony readings . Do certain you pick out them and commit them to the reader so they can pattern .

Confirm hotel reservation

Call your hotel or resort and double-check on reservations–yours and your guests .

Settle on a seating chart and position card

The ever-looming seating chart needs finalizing . Now that you receive a final head count and plus-ones mention , you can create an ideal seating chart . Consider who will desire to ride near you , loved ones with connections , and make sure you hold any single a fun home to dine . Once it ’ s design , produce your place card and make them printed .

Your Destination Wedding Checklist : 2 week before

Confirm all travel and accommodations one more time

It may sound like overkill , but , seriously , see your reservation one last time . Make sure your flights are booked , hotel way exist reserved , and every guest has their travel and lodging lock down .

Re-confirm the point with every vendor

With merely two weeks to run , it ’ s time to triple-check with your vendors . Is everyone on the same page ? Make certain nothing hold fall through the cracks . The excess effort now signify more fun and relaxation later .

Review your RSVPs

Take a good look at your RSVP list to get a last headcount . Cause certain you hold their arrival date , lodgings , and contact information saved .

Your Destination Marry Checklist : 1 week before

Start packing

I predict , it ’ s not too early to commence carry . As this list prove , there equal thus many moving part to organize and check off . Take off a week early to identify any last-minute need and determine if enjoy ones demand to choose some items in their luggage due to lack of space or duty-free allowance rules . For more , insure out our destination marry pack tips .

Insure out our destination marry packing checklist so that you don ’ t leave a single thing .

Your Destination Marry Checklist : When you get

Inspect Your ceremony & reception venues

You ’ ve arrived ! If any item put on ’ t match the description , make a conversation with the vendor or planner as shortly as you can .

Act a pass through or rehearsal

It ’ s excess important to rehearse for a destination ceremony because the condition cost often less predictable . If your ‘ maids are walking through sand or fending off tip , it ’ s significant they become a trivial practice .

Apply for a marriage permit

It ’ s important to cause some research before you leave so you make for the proper documents to receive a foreign permit . If you ’ re getting married at a resort , they will sometimes cook the documents for you as a courtesy . Just ask !

Finalize everything with your officiant and planner

Now that you ’ ve seen the spaces and experienced the rehearsal , it ’ s important to control off all the item with your wedding squad . This is when you die the chunk so you can be present and delight yourself . Get through the agenda , ask any remaining questions , and walk along contact information . You ’ re virtually there !

Take concern of any mandatory ancestry tests

Some countries require blood run after arrival . Since this isn ’ t precisely romantic , I advocate correspond it off right off . Then you can center on the serious stuff .

Assemble and deliver the welcome handbag

Create an assembly course and have those bag coordinate . You can find if the resort is able to place them in the room for you , or you can take to deliver them yourself so you can personally greet each guest .

Arrange delivery of floral organization

Make sure your planner or vendor knows when and where you ’ d like the bouquet and boutonnieres present . The less you make to concern about on the bad day , the better .

Get your beauty test

If you didn ’ t have a chance to visit your hair and makeup vendors before the wedding week , now ’ s the time to revel those beauty test . It ’ s then important to do a trial run then the big day is seamless . If plan accordingly , you could have some gorgeous hair and makeup for a pre-wedding party .

Lock down the menu

Again , if you didn ’ t receive a chance to make food tastings in advance , arrange a quick tasting or menu review with your vendor . You merit to have just what you need .

Ensure a wrinkle-free wedding clothes

Have your dress steamed or fight the dark before the wedding . Odds are it get a piece wrinkly during travel , and it ’ s also beautiful to let that slide .

Mani/pedi anyone ?

Bask a trivial self-care with a manicure and pedicure before the bad day . Ask for your bridesmaids and early enjoy 1 to make it more memorable . But make certain you cause this the day before so it ’ s not ruined by any water fun .

Your Wedding Day Checklist

Make sure you have your rings

After your photographer gets a detailed shaft of your wedding circle , make sure they get to the correct person . If you ’ re ship them down with a gang bearer , do not die them over until correct before the ceremony… I don ’ t think I need to explain why .

Hold your fiance their gift

Direct a friend or category member to your fiancé with your personalized gift . Make sure the photographer is ready to seize their response .

Breathe . Be present . Celebrate !

Hold yourself a pat on the back–you did it ! You ’ ve correspond off everything on this massive destination marry checklist and equal ready to get limp . Now , love the day and have fun !

Download & Print this Destination Wedding Checklist

• The Ultimate Destination Wedding Packing checklist

Get Personalized Destination Wedding Checklist Alerts Direct to Your Inbox

Fill out the form below to makepersonalized alertssent right to your emailremindingyou of everything you need for your destination wedding .

The checklist willsync up with your wedding dateso you ’ ll find customized emails guiding you throughout the total planning process . You ’ ll receive an email with a list of to-do ’ s when you ’ re 9-12 months away from your destination wedding date , another email when you ’ re 4-6 months , etc .. all the manner up to the big day . I ’ ll cause certain you don ’ t forget a thing on your to-do list .

Each checklist to-do will include super helpful links to destination marry article withtips,photos ,and some amazingideas to help inspire you. Yet better , we ’ ll send you someexclusive discountcode andfreebiesfor everything from the save-the-dates to the thank you cards !

Fill out the info below to begin come your personalized destination wedding checklist !

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AboutCynthia

Cynthia equal the founder and editor of Destination Wedding Details.She has over 15 years experience in the Marketing and Event industry and plunge Destination Wedding Details in 2010 , briefly after planning her own destination wedding . Cynthia uses her experience and literal passion , to inspire brides who are design their dream marry away from home .