When my partner and I discussed several possibilities for our wedding. After looking at venues across the US, we found the location of our dreams in Montenegro. Combining our wedding with travel was perfect for us, and we learned a lot along the way.
If you’re considering a destination wedding, here are some tips to consider:
1) Buy a separate garment bag for your attire
One of the top questions for any destination wedding bride is how you’ll get your dress from point A to point B. The best way to do that is to bring it with you in a carry on, preferably a garment bag. Your dress will typically come with a garment bag, but I recommend buying a separate, sturdier bag. This bag will be able to carry more than just your dress – you can also pack your shoes, accessories and additional clothes for the trip. My partner also got a garment bag for his suit that also held most of his clothes for our entire three-week trip. Between our two garment bags and our two backpacks, we were able to avoid checking a bag altogether despite traveling on three separate flights on different airlines to get to our destination.
2) Create a loose itinerary and/or recommendations for your guests
If you’re having a destination wedding, chances are that nearly all of your guests will be unfamiliar with the area. Make sure to have recommendations for your guests of things to do and see in the area. If you’re spending time in the area beforehand, you might also share your itinerary with your guests.
We spent the week before our wedding in Croatia, which neighbors Montenegro. Towards the end of the week, we planned one day of island hopping for our guests who wanted to join. We also shared our loose plans for the rest of the week with people who would be around earlier. My friends who got married in Hawaii shared their detailed pre-wedding itinerary. They also shared links and information for anyone who wanted to join in on the fun. Depending on what type of traveler you and your guests are, both are good ideas. This wedding is a vacation for you and your guests, so have fun!
3) Make a packing list and check it twice
Typically, when you travel, you can assume you’ll be able to find whatever you need for your trip at your destination. However, if you’re traveling for your wedding, that assumption can be risky. Make a list of everything you’ll need for the day, and make sure you pack it. You don’t want to be rushing to find your wedding jewelry or garter in an unfamiliar location the day before your
4) Hire a wedding planner
A destination wedding takes two stressful activities – planning a wedding and planning a trip – and putting them together. You should take at least one of those off your plate and hire a wedding planner. They know the area and the vendors and will be essential to helping you plan a wedding from afar. Then, you can focus on the more fun and less stressful activity of travel planning.
5) Have a food plan
The day before our wedding, we got to our venue where we would also be staying the night and had a pressing issue. There was no food, everyone had had a long travel day, and people were hangry. Ordering food wasn’t an option, and we had to meet with our wedding planner to go over the wedding day plans. Some of our friends helpfully took a taxi to the nearest grocery store and went on a much-needed food run. We learned stores were typically not open on Sundays in the town, so they made sure to get enough to last three days. Wherever you’re getting married, know how you’re getting food outside of the actual wedding day.
6) Handle the paperwork at home
If your wedding is international, it will be much simpler to do the legal paperwork in your home country. Signing the paperwork at home means that you’ll be legally married either before or after the wedding. But you’ll still be celebrating at your destination wedding. You don’t even have to tell your guests!
7) A lot of people won’t be able to make it
Though a destination wedding sounds fun to you, a lot of people either can’t or won’t want to travel to it. Make sure the people most important to you can be there (like your mom), and accept that your guest list will be smaller than if you hosted it in your hometown.
8) Consider having a small domestic celebration
Having a small domestic celebration to accompany the legal paperwork may also be an option. A domestic celebration like a group lunch or dinner to celebrate your marriage is a great way to incorporate people who may not be able to travel like older grandparents.
9) Have a quick answer to why
People will want to know why you’re getting married outside of where you live. This question will come up even more if the location is somewhat off the beaten path. So be prepared! And have fun!
