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YOUR DESTINATION WEDDING CHECKLIST:

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12–16 Months To Go...

• Work out your budget. 

• Draft up your guest list. 

• For your destination wedding, decide on a country or region you'd like to get married in.

• Talk about marriage license options. Marriage requirements vary from country to country. 

• If the destination wedding is out of the country make sure you have valid passports and visas

• Hire a planner. Do not skip this step. When it comes to international matters and planning from afar, a seasoned professional is essential in helping you manage the process. Pink Flamingo are here to help you with your African Adventure Wedding

• Secure a wedding venue and set your date! 

• Reserve your honeymoon suite. If it's at the same venue you're getting married at, you can do this at the same time you book your wedding

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9–11 Months To Go...

• Recruit your bridal party. Make sure they have all passports and any other identification needed to travel.

• Send out Save The Dates. For a destination wedding, send them out early in order to give your guests plenty of time to make travel and accommodation arrangements

• Create a wedding website that includes details on travel and accommodations. Include local maps, airport information, and registry details, as well as predicted weather so your guests will know what to pack.

• Create your gift registry. However, keep in mind that guests traveling for your wedding are already spending a pretty penny just to be there. You may want to let everyone know that their presence is present enough.

• Say YES to the dress! Or tux, of course. Take the ceremony and reception location into account, along with climate and local customs. Plus, keep in mind that you'll want to carry it onto an airplane, so a poofy ballgown may not be such a good idea.

• Purchase your airline tickets. Get those early bird deals.

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6–8 Months To Go...

• Work with your wedding venue and caterer to create the menu.

• Book the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner location. 

• Schedule your dress fitting.

• Order your wedding invitations. 

• Book wedding-day transportation, if needed. 

• Continue booking vendors. Definitely have your photographer and caterer locked in by now. You also need an Officiant, florist, band(?), cake, hairstylist and makeup.

• Review contracts and make sure you have everything in writing. EVERYTHING.

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3 - 5 Months To Go...

• Finalize that guest list and get those invitations out! 

• Start scheduling any informal recreational activities. This is totally optional, but if you're going to be in a tropical paradise wouldn't a group snorkeling excursion be fun? Update your wedding website to inform guests as plans are secured.

• Finalize honeymoon plans.

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6–8 Weeks To Go...

• Finalize and confirm:                     

  • ​Flight and Hotel bookings. 

  • Guest RSVPs and meal choices.

  • Wedding vows and readings with your officiant.

  • ​Menu, beverage, and catering details.

  • All rental delivery times and pickups.

  • Song list for ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception with your DJ and/or band/musicians.

  • Timeline for the reception and who's giving the toasts.

  • Get any required vaccines before traveling to your destination.

Do you have all necessary legal documents in hand? This may include passports, birth certificates, visas, and anything else needed to make your destination wedding legit.

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3–5 Weeks To Go…

• Send anything you can't take with you on the plane to your on-site wedding coordinator (i.e. any reception decorations, wedding favors, welcome bag items or paper goods). Make sure you use a trusted and timely shipping method and get insurance for your package(s).

• Pick up your wedding rings and proofread any engraving!

• Have your final dress fitting. Bring your shoes, undergarments, and accessories for the full impact.

• Hunt down whoever hasn't RSVP'd yet. Sigh.

• Start putting a packing list together. Give yourself plenty of time so that no items are overlooked.

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1–2 Weeks To Go...

• Pick up your gown. Swoon.

• Confirm flight numbers and arrival times for all the key players in your wedding.

• Finalize seating arrangements and have a seating chart or place cards created.

• Put together your own Bridal Emergency Kit.

• Start packing for your wedding and honeymoon. The earlier the better. Plan outfits for the different wedding festivities (rehearsal dinner, post-wedding brunch, etc.) and triple-check that packing list to confirm you have everything you need.

• Make sure you have the proper electrical converters so you can plug in your devices. You really need your hairdryer to work.

• Figure out tips and final payments for vendors. Tipping customs vary greatly from country to country, so ask Pink Flamingo about proper etiquette.

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4–5 Days To Go…

• Get on that airplane! IMPORTANT: Pack your wedding attire, rings and anything else of value in your carry-ons. 

• Arrive at your wedding destination. You'll want to show up a few days ahead of your guests so you're there to greet them. You can also:

  • Do a walk-through of your ceremony and reception venue.

  • Meet with your coordinator and other vendors.

  • Apply for your marriage license.

  • Have a tasting with your caterer/cake maker.

  • Make sure welcome bags will be delivered to guests' rooms.

  • Do a makeup & hair trial.

  • Enjoy a mani-pedi.

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The Day Before…

• Have your wedding dress steamed to remove any travel-induced wrinkles.

• Rock that rehearsal and dinner. Now's the time to give out wedding-party gifts.

• Try to go to bed early. You need your beauty sleep tonight!

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The Day Of…

• Allow plenty of time to get ready. And don't forget to bring your wedding rings and marriage license to the ceremony.

• Do the rounds at your wedding—greet everyone and thank them for coming.

• Take a deep breath. Stop to appreciate your new spouse and enjoy every moment that you spent so much time and energy planning!

• Next destination? Happily. Ever. After.

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