Some couples today are choosing to get married internationally and need to plan for the wedding and the necessary travel plans. Here is an international/destination wedding timeline.
12-16 Months Before
- Budget. Whether it’s a wedding locally or a destination, preparing a budget is one of the first steps.
- Research Locations and Local Vendors. If possible, plan a visit to your destination venue(s) and discuss/confirm particulars with venue management.
- Hire a Local Wedding Planner and Decide If You’re Going To Use a Travel Agent. Hiring a wedding planner in your destination location will keep things on track and provide you with necessary feedback.
- Start Researching International Marriage Requirements. Each country has their own requirements for non-citizen marriages. Do this to make sure you have all the required paperwork before your wedding day.
9-11 Months Before
This is the time when you start planning your wedding, and as a destination wedding you’ll need to factor in travel and extra events.
- Have a rough estimate of your guest list and start sending out save the dates.
- Research hotels and have a block of rooms reserved for your guests.
- Have your wedding party chosen, and make sure they prepare the proper documentation they will need.
- Research Excursions and local things to do.
4-8 Months Before
At this time, your wedding plans will start to come together, and you should start working with the venue staff and your wedding planner to finalize the venue arrangements like food, entertainment, and local logistics.
- Start booking any travel arrangements and order passports and any other travel documents you may need
- Start planning your wedding menu and book rehearsal and rehearsal dinner locations during this time frame to ensure you have the venues you’d like.
- Book any locals you may need, such as the officiant, hair and make-up artists, or a wedding photographer.
- Start booking any wedding transportation you may need
- Start booking excursions and extra activities
1-3 Months Before
As your wedding day is approaching fast, you’ll want to keep in touch with the venue and vendors through your wedding planner to ensure all arrangements are set.
- Arrange wedding day transport for you and your guests during this time. Also, include anything that you may need for transportation for extra activities.
- Check in on the attire for your bridesmaids and groomsmen to make sure they’re on track with getting everything they need. Also, advise that they should have a garment bag for protective their attire on the plane (or other destination transportation)
- With one month to go, check in with vendors to make sure all bookings are ready, and the menu is to your satisfaction.
The Month of Your Destination Wedding
- Ship early anything you won’t be able to carry with you to your destination to ensure it’s there when you need to use it.
- Have your final dress fitting with enough time for any final alterations and for packing for transportation.
- Confirm all your travel plans, hotels, and extra activities one last time before the wedding.
- Start packing ahead of time to ensure that nothing gets missed, and you have enough time to review everything you need (including the right charging converters for your destination).
- Check the local forecast in case you need to pack clothing or accessories for the weather.
Use this list as a guide as you plan your destination wedding. Check out our bridal collection if you’re in the market for a wedding dress.