A destination wedding is one of the most magical ways to spend your special day, but it can also require a lot of upfront planning before saying ‘I do’. From save the dates to the perfect dress, we’ve put together a checklist of what to consider when planning a destination wedding.
Choose Your Destination
The most important detail of planning a destination wedding is finding the right location. We recommend first choosing a general season you’d like to have your wedding, and planning your destination around this time of year. For example, a winter wedding will give you vastly different destinations to choose from than a summer wedding.
Inform Guests
Once a final destination has been chosen, it’s best to inform your wedding party and guests as soon as possible. Not only does this allow them to begin budgeting their expenses, it can also allow people to respectively decline if they know the required travel is out of budget.
Make a Visit
If you’ve never visited the destination you’ve chosen, we recommend planning a visit to see the venue and surrounding areas prior to your big day. This is also a great time to meet your vendors, set up meetings, and potentially hire local talent as well.
Check Your Passport
For couples hosting an international wedding, your passport is a crucial part of the planning process. Be sure to double check your expiration dates, and encourage guests to do the same to allow extra time for those who may need to renew. Also check the country’s travel guidelines to account for any additional documents, vaccinations, or other information that may be required to enter.
Know Local Marriage Requirements
Another important detail when planning a destination wedding is researching the local marriage requirements. Each country has different laws and paperwork necessities including birth certificates, letters of intent, and more. If you prefer to avoid the international laws, you can also make your marriage official ahead of time so you can just enjoy your destination wedding day without worrying about legal issues.
Find the Ideal Dress
Your wedding destination will most likely affect the wedding dress you choose for your special day. Warm, tropical locations will require a much more breathable, lightweight fabric for your dress; however, a winter wedding in the snow will require warmer accessories such as a shawl or long sleeve wedding gown.
Dreaming of a warm + sunny wedding, but can’t decide on the perfect location? Check out some of our favorite beach venues for your destination wedding!
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