Any wedding involves careful planning to create the best day of your life! We find organization is one of the most important aspects of our job, and with that comes to do lists. A destination wedding often includes more moving parts than a wedding planned closed to home with most guests traveling from out of town to attend. Read on for some of our most important destination wedding planning checklist items!
12-16 Months Prior
Enjoy the engagement! It’s time to pop the bubbly and celebrate this amazing next step in your lives. Host an engagement party if applicable, take engagement photos and start writing out your guest list for the big day. Set your spending limit for the wedding, and within the parameters you decide on, start exploring venue options.
9-12 Months Prior
At this point, you’ve likely done some initial research and it’s time to bring in a professional if you’ll be hiring a wedding planner. You’ll want to start researching and reserving key vendors, such as your photographer, videographer, caterer, band/DJ and florist. You should start shopping for and order your wedding dress, as well as consider bridesmaid dress options.
6-9 Months Prior
For a destination wedding, you’ll want to mail save the dates 6-9 months prior to give your guests plenty of notice. Once save the dates go out, you’ll want to have a wedding website up with accommodation options for guests as well as your gift registry information.
4-6 Months Prior
Now it’s time to start on the design details, including centerpieces, bouquets, boutonnieres and décor. Purchase the groom and groomsmen’s attire and mail your invitations approximately four months prior to your wedding date.
1-2 Months Prior
Four to six weeks before, you should have your final guest count and will want to relay this information to your planner, caterer, etc. You’ll also want to do your final dress fitting and purchase a gift for your soon to be spouse to exchange on the wedding day. Finalize your ceremony music, first dance and specialty dance songs.
1-2 Weeks Prior
Make your final vendor payments and finalize the wedding day timeline. Distribute the day of timeline to the wedding party and all those involved to keep everything running smoothly. Pack your bags for the honeymoon if you’ll be traveling somewhere different than the wedding location.
1 Day Before
One of the most important things to do the day before the wedding is relax! Pamper yourself with a manicure, pedicure and maybe a massage. Be sure a rehearsal is conducted a day or two before so everyone is clear on what they’re supposed to do for the wedding ceremony. Get plenty of rest and get ready for the best day ever!
As part of our services, we develop a custom planning strategy with each bride and groom, developing a destination wedding planning checklist to meet the unique needs and timeline of their wedding. Looking for more destination wedding etiquette tips? Contact us to learn more about how we can help with your Maui wedding!
