A Bride-Saving Guide to Planning the Ultimate Destination Wedding ...

Planning a destination wedding can feel like you’ve jumped down Alice’s rabbit hole into a world filled with venues from dreams, but also a labyrinth of logistics that would perplex even the savviest planner. Yes, I’ve been there, in fact, my own jaunt into planning a destination wedding in Tuscany was a mix of wine-soaked evenings and frantic emails at 2 AM! As 2024 rolls in, the popularity of getting hitched in far-off, beautiful locales isn’t dwindling. Instead, more couples are saying "I do" to the idea of combining their nuptials with the ultimate vacation.

But here’s the kicker: orchestrating this fairy tale isn’t all roses and champagne toasts. It takes meticulous planning, a hefty dose of patience, and a sprinkle of humor. Here's where this bride-saving guide kicks in because let's be honest, who wouldn't want a crash course with pre-wedding panic eliminators?

Firstly, selecting that dreamy destination wedding location is where the magic begins. Do you envision a cliffside ceremony in Santorini where blue domes and azure waves frame your vows? Or perhaps a ritzy beach resort in Bali where toes crunch in the sand? Remember, a perfect destination wedding spot not only provides a picturesque backdrop but also speaks to who you are as a couple. When I chose Tuscany, it wasn’t just about the vineyards and olive groves; it was about our shared love for Italian food (okay, and the wine too!).

Then, let’s talk guest list—the smaller, the merrier! A trimmed-down list keeps things intimate and reduces stress to levels that won’t have you clutching a glass of champagne for dear life. You want your nearest and dearest to join you, not your mother’s book club friends. Keeping this streamlined will make decisions about accommodations and transportation that much easier to handle.

Speaking of transportation, the travel logistics can feel like herding cats. From flights to transfers to ensuring everyone’s passports are, well, valid, the coordination effort can be monumental. Fear not, with the advent of group travel apps and some good old-fashioned spreadsheets, managing this tiny army can almost be fun. Almost.

Consider hiring a destination wedding planner. Their expertise and local contacts are worth their weight in gold—trust me on this. Imagine my relief when I found out that a planner in Tuscany could handle everything from the church booking to ensuring Uncle Bob’s vegan meals were sorted.

Lastly, don’t forget to soak it all in. Amidst the whirlwind of seating charts and floral arrangements, this is your special day. Laugh, breathe, and take the occasional “me” moment. After all, what’s a wedding if not a celebration of love and joy?

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Decide on the Perfect Destination

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Now that you decided on traveling for your wedding, you have the entire world (literally!) to choose from. Whether you’re hoping for a tropical, international, or urban-chic vibe, narrow down your search by considering locations that are close to your heart, like a fave family vacay spot or that magical city where the two of you met.

Determine Your Ceremony Style

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Once you’ve chosen your location, you two lovebirds have to decide whether you want a civil or symbolic ceremony. Keep in mind that the former requires research, time, and likely some pro assistance in completing the required paperwork, whereas the latter is easy peasy and completely customizable.

Work with Pros on the Ground

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Trying to plan a destination wedding with a non-local planner can be a challenge since they’re probably unfamiliar with the region and property you’ve chosen. This means you may pay for the time they take to do research and reach out to other planners. Instead, opt for a pro that’s already there and recommended by your venue. It will save you tons of time and big bucks!

Schedule a Pre-planning Trip

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If you have the budget and time, exploring the locale IRL would be ideal. You and your S.O. can scout the grounds, meet the pros face-to-face, and explore the area for your guests. Plus, you’ll most likely come back with lots of inspo and bonding from the trip.

Create a Wedding Website

Keep your friends and fam in the loop with a wedding site that has all the deets of your jet-set adventure. After all, no bride-to-be has time for constant text messages from guests asking for hotel recommendations, attractions, and restaurant suggestions. Feel free to include local maps as well so your peeps can get to know the area before they arrive.

Hand-carry Your Gown

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Can you imagine checking your gorg gown at the airport, only to find out your suitcase was lost in transit? No, thank you! If you’re taking a plane, take your dress as a carry-on so you can keep an eye on it the entire time. If you’re driving to your destination, you’ll want to make sure your dress has plenty of space to spread out to prevent wrinkles.

Related: 7 Wedding Planning Tips ...

Arrange a Welcome Reception Lounge at the Location for Your Guests

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After traveling far and wide to share in your special day, loved ones will def be in need of a little TLC. If all your guests are staying on the same property, take the opportunity to set up a table of welcome bags in the lounge and greet your friends and fam as they come arrive. This adds a more personal touch than having the hotel hand goodies out at check-in, and is also a great conversation starter for guests that don’t know each other.

Bring a Collapsible Duffel or Suitcase

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You should instruct your guests to send gifts to your home address ahead of time so they don’t have to be hauled to and from your wedding locale, BUT there’ll always be a few who miss the memo. Just in case, pack an empty, collapsible bag so you can send gifts home with your fam instead of toting them on your honeymoon.

Enjoy Your Big Day!

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Your wedding day is meant to be a joyful celebration of your marriage. It can be easy to get wrapped up in all the planning and totally stress out about every detail, but after the party, you get to spend the rest of your lives together, and that’s the part that really matters!

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