Destination Wedding Timeline
Planning a destination wedding is an adventure of it’s own, no matter your location. This timeline will see you through every step of wedding planning from the day you get engaged til the day you say “I DO”
Use this timeline as a guide to make your planning a breeze. A great resource is your local travel agent/expert who is a specialist in this type of travel! Destination weddings can be planned with ease by following our tips for finding the best destination wedding locations. Melody at Tropical Dreams has graduated with honors as a destination wedding and group travel expert from Destination Wedding University. She is a travel expert who loves planning romance travel.
You will find there are many parts to a destination wedding, putting these parts together in the wrong order can be a disaster! A travel agent that specializes in destination weddings and honeymoons can also be a great help in providing advice about destinations and help in planning each step along the way. Most of all, Specialists in Destination Weddings arrange/coordinate many weddings on beautiful beaches, and resorts per year. As a result will have resources you may not be able to find on your own. Working with us gives you access to exclusive services you won’t find anywhere else. Let get started making your dreams a reality!
Checklist
ENGAGEMENT
Announce Your Engagement
Pick A Date
12-15 MONTHS PRIOR
Discuss wedding expense and set a budget
Determine type of ceremony, legal, symbolic or Catholic Church
Research destinations that may interest you
Consider travel time for guests when picking a destination
Determine a guest list, who must absolutely be at your destination wedding?
Contact wedding coordinators and planners to verify available dates
Select date and make a deposit to hold your space
Choose your desired wedding package and place your deposit
Work on securing a block of rooms / airfare for your guests
Purchase Travel Insurance (strongly recommended)
Send save the date invites | Give guests time to save and clear their calendars
10-12 MONTHS PRIOR
Obtain legal documents for wedding in a foreign country
Remind guests about their passports
Secure photographers, band, DJ, videographer – review all the agreements and contracts
Finalize invited guests, number of rooms
Send a more formal invite with detailed information. Be sure to include info on how guests can book their trip
Build a wedding website for guests to refer to with all of your detailed information
7-10 MONTHS PRIOR
Create a list of items to bring on your trip
Start shopping for gift bags for your guests
Make plans for your pet / house care while you’re away
Determine any additional wedding events such as welcome cocktail party, rehearsal dinner or bachelor party
4-7 MONTHS PRIOR
Finalize attending guest list
Release any unused rooms
Select your wedding decoration
Create your song list for the wedding and reception
3-4 MONTHS PRIOR
Submit paperwork for a legal ceremony
Remind guests their final payment will be due soon
Confirm any changes that have been made to ceremony, reception or guest list
2-3 MONTHS PRIOR
Make final payment towards wedding ceremony
Make final payment on travel plans
Work on menu for reception, if any
Start a list of what wedding photos you would like
1-2 MONTHS PRIOR
Confirm a timeline of events
Reconfirm wedding guest list to onsite wedding coordinator
Work on menu for reception, if any
Note any food allergies with the hotel
Prepare wedding itinerary for guests about welcome cocktails or other events planned
Check with your mobile carrier for service out of country, along with added fees, if any
1-2 MONTHS PRIOR
Confirm a timeline of events
Book hair and makeup appointments at the spa for bridal party
Reconfirm wedding guest list to onsite wedding coordinator
Note any food allergies with the hotel
Prepare wedding itinerary for guests about welcome cocktails or other events planned
Check with your mobile carrier for service out of country, along with added fees, if any
2-3 MONTHS PRIOR
Make final payment towards wedding ceremony
Make final payment on travel plans
Work on menu for reception, if any
Start a list of what wedding photos you would like
1 MONTH PRIOR
Receive and review travel documents
Give guests your wedding itinerary for other events
Put passport, travel insurance and travel documents together
2 WEEKS PRIOR
Review airline reservations and reconfirm airline, airport transportation is in place and nothing has changed
Review luggage sizes and maximums each airline allows
1 WEEK PRIOR
Review last minute packing lists
Review all wedding details
1 DAY PRIOR
Check in on airline website, pre-pay for your checked luggage if necessary
Carry on important items: your dress, his tux, legal papers if needed
Make one last check of your travel documents… passport, flight, transportation
UPON ARRIVAL
Confirm your meeting time and date with resort wedding coordinator
As you welcome guests, get their room number; This could make it easy to contact them if needed