What should be on your destination wedding planning checklist?
You’re about to get married, congratulations! The proposal has been made, and the first steps are in place. One of the most exciting decisions? Choosing to tie the knot abroad, in a stunning location that leaves you speechless with its beauty and traditions. However, as your dream starts to take shape, excitement is often replaced by another, less enjoyable feeling: the stress of planning. How do you manage to bring all your loved ones to another country? How do you find the perfect wedding planner for your needs? Who do you contact for all the necessary legal paperwork? Let me share a little secret with you: with the right checklist, your destination planning wedding can come together smoothly and stress-free. Discover the main points to verify in this article and download your complete checklist.
Before You Begin: Outline Your Dream Wedding
To set a course for your dream day without wasting time, start by outlining the big picture of your wedding, beginning with choosing the destination. Can you imagine saying “I do” in the gardens of a castle, in the heart of a vineyard, on a snowy mountain, or perhaps surrounded by fields of vibrant lavender?
Next, determine your budget—or at least set a range. This will help ensure you can create a day that lives up to your expectations without unpleasant surprises.
Finally, assess the size of your event: will it be a lavish celebration or an intimate affair?
Once you’ve answered these three questions, you’ll have a much clearer vision of your wedding—what you want and what you don’t. From there, you can move forward with confidence in your destination wedding planning checklist.
12 to 6 Months Before: Laying the Foundation for Your Wedding
Because every great event follows a plan, at least a year before your desired wedding date, hire a local wedding planner to benefit from their expertise and network. At Wed’Love, our directory is filled with the best wedding professionals in Provence—making your planning process so much easier.
Next, with their help, book your venue and choose your wedding date. When doing so, consider vacation periods in both your home country and the destination country, as well as the weather conditions, which might be entirely different from what you’re used to at that time of year.
Make sure to research the marriage requirements for your chosen destination, as each country has its own laws regarding official wedding ceremonies. It’s important to confirm these legalities well in advance. Another very important point: don’t forget to check your identity papers and passports!
✨ Keep in mind, you can always have a legal marriage in your hometown either before or after your trip and host a symbolic ceremony for your destination wedding.
Now, focus on creating a preliminary guest list. Consider the available accommodations near the ceremony site and the travel costs your guests may need to cover.
Fashion time: you’ll need to look for your wedding outfits and accessories, particularly your wedding dress, especially if you want a made-to-measure model. You can also set up your skincare routine so you’ll soon be looking your best for the wedding.
💍 And buy your wedding rings too!
6 to 3 Months Before: Time to Dive into the Details
Six months before the big day, it’s time to focus on technical details, which, admittedly, require extra organization when planning a wedding abroad. Start by sending your “Save the Dates.” These little cards will give your loved ones plenty of time to plan for the celebrations.
Once you begin receiving preliminary RSVPs, book enough rooms for your guests, typically for two or three nights. You can also suggest flights and airlines to your families, and don’t forget to coordinate transportation between the airport, accommodations, the reception venue, and, if applicable, the religious ceremony.
Now, meet with your vendors via video conference or through your wedding planner. Caterers, photographers, florists, decorators, stylists—all of them will need your input to help create the perfect wedding abroad.
“This is where a bilingual local wedding planner becomes indispensable. They are your go-to person, your support, and your trusted partner. Thousands of miles from home, your planner takes charge, organizes, and orchestrates your dream wedding exactly the way you envision it. Their knowledge of local venues and professionals is their greatest asset, but they also bring that extra special touch to make your ceremony truly unforgettable.“
3 to 1 Months Before Your Destination Wedding: The Final Touches
Just a few months to go before you become husband and wife! Time is flying, and the tasks are piling up to ensure everything is perfect. Start by finalizing your guest count by asking everyone to confirm their attendance. This number is crucial for organizing the venue, table settings, catering, and accommodations.
An emotional and symbolic moment if there ever was one, you’ll be able to write your wedding vows, the ones you’ll read to the love of your life, in front of all those who matter to you gathered together. And don’t forget to orchestrate the day’s events with your wedding planner.
By now, you’ve probably made an appointment with her to go over the legal documents required for your wedding, and any necessary translations, one last time. This is a critical item on the checklist for planning your destination wedding.
Finally, if time and logistics allow, consider planning some tours, tastings, or excursions for you and your guests. A touch of tourism can make the experience even more memorable. Once again, your wedding planner is the best person to guide and assist you in organizing these activities.
Final Weeks: Get Wedding-Ready!
The most challenging part of traveling abroad is ensuring you don’t forget anything. This challenge becomes even greater when you’re heading across the globe to get married. So, several weeks before your wedding, prepare (yet another) checklist focused solely on packing. Wedding attire, accessories, travel adaptors, cash, marriage paperwork, administrative documents, wedding rings—nothing should be left to chance. Be careful! Pack your wedding dress and groom’s attire in a carry-on bag to avoid risks with checked luggage.
Contact all your wedding vendors, hosts, and transportation providers one by one to confirm bookings, schedules, and any additional requirements.
But most importantly, relax and delegate. Getting married in France but don’t speak the language? Unsure where to start? Worried you might forget something despite your detailed destination wedding checklist? Trust your wedding planner to handle everything from afar!
At Wed’Love, we specialize in destination weddings in Provence. For two or three days, surrounded by your families and friends, say “I do” to each other in the South of France and experience the land of cicadas—the Mediterranean jewel everyone dreams of.
To plan your stress-free dream wedding, contact us today!
Thanks to Your Destination Wedding Planning Checklist, Enjoy your Wedding Day!
Your wedding day has finally arrived! To ensure everything runs smoothly, trust your wedding planner to handle the logistics, coordinate with vendors, and manage any unexpected situations. Focus on being fully present and soaking in every moment with your partner and loved ones.
It’s also a good idea to have a designated “go-to” person from your family or bridal party who can assist guests with any questions or concerns, leaving you free to enjoy your day stress-free. Remember, this is your moment—smile, relax, and savor every bit of it!
After Your Big Day: relax and realize
Once the celebrations are over, take time to reflect and relish the memories you’ve created. Before heading off on your honeymoon or returning home, consider organizing a brunch or farewell event for your guests who traveled far to share in your joy. This provides a wonderful opportunity to thank everyone and say goodbye in a relaxed atmosphere.
Don’t forget to follow up with your vendors to ensure everything is wrapped up, such as returning rental items or finalizing payments. If you worked with a photographer or videographer, discuss timelines for receiving your photos and videos. Most importantly, embrace the start of your new journey together as a married couple, cherishing the love and connections your destination wedding made possible.
Crédit photos: Lifestories Wedding by Yann Audic
I'm Anaïs, Elite and Destination Wedding Planner, founder of Wed'Love, based in the heart of picturesque Provence and crafting unforgettable destination weddings in the South of France.
As a millennial myself, I get it – you're all about the finer things in life, from exquisite cuisine to extravagant celebrations. Today, I've decided to specialize in working with foreign clients based in Northern Europe and the United States to create elegant and unforgettable weddings & events.
I believe in strong core values that reflect the way I will accompany you on your beautiful day, but also in the way I will engage with my partners, collaborators and my agency to organize the day of your life.
My commitment to my team is to pass on to them my passion for weddings and celebrations and to provide them with all the tools they need to carry out their mission, with the requirement of a job well done.
