A few helpful tips for planning a destination wedding - from those who have actually done it! Please feel free to print this list too!

It's May 2nd (Happy Birthday to my handsome hubby) and we are experiencing summer!

The birds and sun are my new alarm clock (so naturally I'm getting up earlier and earlier each day)

I'm currently listening to the humming of a lawn mower and smelling the AMAZING scent of freshly cut grass.

It. Is. HOT! 

My shorts are on and my pasty white legs are going to see the light - well, tomorrow - when I get a day off!!

This time next year, I will be able to sit on my deck and blog outside - soaking up the sun - instead of sweating in this tiny apartment - or looking out across a parking lot!

Today is the perfect day to talk about - planning a destination wedding (it seems this was meant to be delayed - for the good weather!!)

The sun is a great motivator for any situation!!

This past week, I spoke to three of my lovelies - and asked them how they planned their big day - with so many miles between!

The process seems pretty straight forward - but they ALL said how nervous they felt - not really knowing what to expect - having never met the wedding planner - visited the resort/venue - or seen the decorations or other items that have been chosen for their wedding.

Thay have had to put their trust into someone they have never met - and taken their word and advice.

Comparing their [planning a destination wedding] ‘to do’ list to the Planning a Wedding - Where to Start?! post - made me realize that I experienced planning as though I was planning a destination wedding.

We got married back in England - before we moved across the pond - so it was a local wedding - but a lot of details were taken care of by our venue.

Basically - we chose a date - booked the venue - and then sat back with a cup of tea!

Well - almost! 

The venue did a lot of the work on our behalf - just like a wedding planner or a resort will do when planning a destination wedding.

They provided the Rolls Royce cars for transport - the DJ - the catering - and they recommended a florist who we loved.

The decor was already to our taste and colour scheme - which was just great luck more than anything - and my mom made the three tier cake.

Even though I have planned a local wedding - I don’t feel like I had to go through the 45 tasks that I mentioned in my last post - perhaps we just fell lucky - I hope you can experience this kind of planning too.

So - if the 45 tasks is a little too overwhelming for you - perhaps consider hiring a wedding planner.

Or - how about planning a destination wedding instead??

1) CHOOSE A DATE

2) CHOOSE A DESTINATION / COUNTRY

3) CHOOSE A TRAVEL AGENCY

• preferably one that specializes in destination weddings

4) VENUE / RESORT

• Research
• Book

5) BRIDAL PARTY

• tell your people!! Who do you want standing up for you?

6) GUEST LIST

7) INVITE YOUR GUESTS

• inform them of the agency - usually, if you book as a large group, you will get discount!

8) WEDDING PLANNER

• the wedding planner will usually be provided when you book the venue
• more than likely, they have helped hundreds of couples with planning a destination wedding - but I would still recommend shopping around on a few things...

Would it be better to bring your own decorations - guest book - flowers (fake ones, of course)??

Is it better value for money to fly in your own Photographer - Videographer - or even Wedding Planner?

And that’s the majority of your wedding - planned! But here are a few things you will need to do before flying out there...

9) WEDDING WEBSITE

• This is where you can keep all your guests and vendors up-to-date

10) REGISTER FOR GIFTS

• Do this before the engagement party in case anyone wants to buy you an engagement gift
• We actually didn’t have a gift list/registery - we put a polite little poem in about contributing with money if you feel you HAVE to bring a gift, but no gifts are necessary!

11) ENGAGEMENT PARTY!!

12) DRESS

• Research - online/ask friends where they went/Bridal Fantasy
• Meet/Consultation - TRY ON LOTS!!
• BUY!!
• Fitting #1 - will need your SHOES!
• Fitting #2 - will need your LINGERIE!
• May need more fittings - the shop will tell you

13) BRIDESMAID’S DRESSES

• Research - online/ask friends where they went/Bridal Fantasy
• TRY ON LOTS
• BUY - and it is up to you if you are going to buy these for your girls - or are you going to ask them to pay? I bought the dresses for my girls - and I have been a bridesmaid several times - I only bought my own dress once.

14) WEDDING SHOES

• Before dress fittings - don’t need them for trying on but if you have them already - AWESOME!
• Keep wearing them around the house!

15) LINGERIE/UNDERSKIRT

• Before dress fittings

16) RINGS

17) GIFTS

• Groom/Bride
• Bridesmaids
• Groomsmen
• Parents??
• Other - Helpers/Vendors etc

18) TIMELINE

• Discuss with your Photographer and Wedding Planner

19) SEND TIMELINE AND GUEST LIST TO RELEVANT PARTIES

• Vendors
• Bridal Party / MC

20) LIST OF SPEAKERS

• Readings at Ceremony
• Speeches at Reception

21) CHOOSE READINGS

22) WRITE VOWS

23) MARRIAGE LICENCE

• you may be required to still 'legally' get married in your home town - some destinations cannot legally marry you.

24) ASSIGN SEATING

• Once you have final head count

25) PRINTING

• Ceremony Programs
• Menus
• Name Cards
• Table Plan
• Signs for Displays

26) FINALIZE WITH ALL VENDORS

• Payments
• Confirm details/plan

27) PHOTO LOCATION SCOUTING

• with Photographer - preferably at the same time of day that the pictures will be taken

28) PACK!! - including a ‘DAY OF’ KIT BAG

• Deodrant
• Hair Pins
• Hair Spray
• Sunscreen
• Bug Spray
• Sewing Kit / Safety Pins
• Water
• Snacks
• Band Aids
• Flat Shoes / Flip Flops
• Umbrella (yikes - just in case)
• Medication - Tylenol etc
• Makeup (for touch ups)

29) MANICURE/PEDICURE/MASSAGE

• Enjoy a couples massage a few days before your big day
• OR get pampered as part of your Batchelorette Party

30) ENJOY YOUR BIG DAY!!

- Make sure you take time out of the day to just be with each other - just the two of you - it is your day and before you know it, you will have spoken to all your guests and not even spoken to your hubby/wife!