Destination weddings are trending these days with more and more couples opting for a ‘different’ venues for weddings. Who wouldn’t want a romantic and super fun wedding at a great location? Images of beautiful destination weddings, happy couples and smiling faces of excited family and friends with the backdrop of a scenic locale are simply too tempting to make your own plans for a destination wedding, isn’t it? Well, if you liked our blog on Top 10 Wedding Destinations in India and want to plan one for yourself, this blog should help you. We have compiled a checklist for an enjoyable destination wedding. Have a look.

About a year to the wedding

• Plan your budget and location. You will need to consider the travel expenses as well as the local expenses for organizing the wedding there.
• Finalize your wedding date. Bear in mind that planning a wedding date during holidays will mean expensive airfare and hotel booking.  Consider an off-season date.
• Mind the weather. Find out the weather conditions expected at your destination around your wedding date and plan your wedding venue, attire and theme accordingly. Avoid destinations that expect rough weather conditions during the wedding date or else consider a time with a better weather condition.
• It would be advisable to hire a local wedding planner.
• Try and visit the location to scout venues in person, meet vendors, check out the food options and liaise with the wedding planner. It will also help you to take note of many little aspects which matter to your wedding planning and finally your decisions.
• Prepare your guest list keeping in mind your priorities, budget and that most of your guests are likely to attend. Who would want to miss a destination wedding?
• Book the wedding venue.  It is better to book the venue for your wedding well in advance.
• Prepare a file to include all your wedding planning ideas and necessary papers. It helps you stay organized and makes work easy.
• Look into the marriage laws as per your destination.
• Begin shopping for your wedding attire. It’s never too early for that, isn’t it?

Eight months to the wedding

• Discuss with your wedding planner and finalize vendors list.
• Buy your wedding dress
• Finalize your wedding solemnizer.
• Send out ’Save the Date’ to your guests.
• Plan how you would like your wedding functions to be - the rituals, the number of functions, and traditions you would like to include.
• Register for gifts or create a honeymoon registry.
• Find out the tourist spots your guests can explore once there and make a note of them for your guests.
• Search and book appropriate accommodation for your guests. Booking a good number of rooms and in advance can get you some favorable deals.
• Now is a good time to create a web page for your wedding where you can keep posting to update your guests and family about your wedding events and other relevant information like pictures of the destination and wedding venue, the wedding itinerary, travel tips and interact with them.
• Finalize a wedding photographer.

Six Months to the wedding

• Check if everything is in order with your passport like Visa validity, vaccinations required and passport validity. If not there is enough time to get it all in place. Begin now.
• Book your flight. Ensure confirmed accommodation booking at the destination.
• Discuss with your caterer about the final menu for the wedding. Do a tasting session prior to arriving at a decision on the menu.
• Finalize the music with the DJ and settle on the kind of décor you want for your wedding.
• Send out save the dates. And conclude on the invitations.
• Confirm local transportation from the time of arrival to the last day of the wedding functions.
• Continue shopping in full swing for all your wedding accessories, jewellery, shoes, destination specific clothing and other necessities.
• Plan events or activities to entertain your guests during their stay. This could include games, dances, excursions, dinners and more.
• Begin taking care of your skin and general health to get a healthy glow on your wedding day.

2 - 4 months from the wedding

• Send out the invites and request for confirmation of attendance. This will give you guest’s time to plan their travel and make other necessary personal arrangements.
• Order favors and gift bag items.
• Confirm all arrangements with your vendors again. This includes the menu list, music, decor, mehndi artists, makeup artists, and photographer.
• Do a trial makeup for your wedding look. The time will allow you to experiment with various styles before you hat suits you best. Confirm with your makeup artist on your final look and appointment on the wedding day.
• Do not shop till you drop as they say. But yes, now is the time to buy gifts for your family and fiancé.
• Get pampered with a complete spa treatment 2 months prior to your wedding.
• Complete any fittings required for your wedding attire.

1 month to your wedding

• Make a checklist or a timeline for your wedding day. It will help be more organized on the main day.
• Also, make a personal checklist of all the things you need to pack for your wedding and begin packing.
• Decide on your honeymoon plans and itinerary.
• If you would like to write your own personal vows for each other, jot them down now.

2 weeks to the wedding

Ask your wedding planner to

• Confirm with all your guests about their attendance.
• Reconfirm your flight and accommodation bookings.
• Reconfirm all details with all vendors

1 week to the wedding

• Complete your packing. Since you will have different wedding wear and accessories for all your functions this may cause you to exceed your baggage limit. You could request family members to assist you by carrying some items in their luggage.
• Crosscheck with your checklist of items to pack.

On arrival 

• Visit the wedding venue and see if everything is in order.
• Ask your wedding planner to organize and settle the guests in their respective accommodations.
•  Have the welcome gifts sent to your guest's rooms.
• Check your wedding attire and ensure it is pressed and ready to wear.
• Meet your wedding planner and wedding solemnizer to confirm details of your ceremony.
• Ensure your jewellery is in order for the big day.

       After checking off all the pointers in this exhaustive checklist, you should be proud of having accomplished good planning for your destination wedding. Now just relax, breathe easy and have fun!

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