Destination Wedding Day Checklist

The big day can be overwhelming for many couples. Our main advice is to remember to breathe and enjoy every moment! Luckily for you, with a destination wedding, much of the last minute details should already be taken care of and you can just relax. But, in case you’re still nervous, here is our official “Day Of” checklist to help you keep things in order until the minute you walk down the aisle.

Get a printable PDF version here.

And you can view all of our handy destination wedding checklists here.

Destination Wedding Registry Checklist

When it comes to hosting a destination wedding the typical gift registry etiquette varies by couple and destination. Since hosting your wedding abroad offsets your costs by having your guests pay their own travel/room accommodations, many couples skip an official gift registry. Many guests will choose to take gifts into their own control though, offering money or shipping gifts to the home instead of taking them with them to the wedding. No couple wants to be stuck attempting to take gifts home from their vacation.

Don’t be afraid to think outside the box when it comes to a gift registry for your destination wedding. Many couples opt for simple Necessity lists or honey funds instead. The official Honeyfund website, for example, allows couples to create a wishlist and gift card registry in one place It also acts as a secondary website to share wedding details. There will always be guests who want to give you gifts so having an optional registry, that feels nonmandatory, can be a great way to get some useful items for the home.

Below, we’ve created a gift necessities checklist. We’ve reduced the clutter to very simple items that will allow your guests to purchase gifts within any budget. Don’t be upset if you don’t get everything, after all, your guests are already spending money just to attend your special vacation. This is also a great way for loved ones to help you celebrate the wedding even if they can’t attend, choosing to send a personal gift straight to your home as a way of saying, “Thanks for the invite”. Remember to send ‘Thank You’ notes after the wedding!

Get a printable PDF version here.

And you can view all of our handy destination wedding checklists here.

Destination Wedding Timeline Checklist

One of our more popular destination wedding resources, the timeline, gets it’s very own printable checklist in today’s blog post. The timeline covers some of the more important things that happen during your typical planning process. Please note that not every destination wedding is planned over a year; some couples expedite the process and others plan with years in advance.

You can use the original interactive timeline tool here: Destination Wedding Timeline

 Download a printable PDF version here

Destination Wedding Important Documents Checklist

A vacation often means you can bring as little as necessary, but that’s not always the case with a destination wedding. We’ve previously mentioned what a guest should pack, and what the wedding couple should pack. On both checklists, we discussed important documents. In today’s post, we’re presenting another handy checklist that focuses solely on these important documents.

If you’re getting married, or just attending a destination wedding in another country, here’s what you need with you. We must stress the importance of carrying these with you, in your personal bag or carry-on. Never place these items in a checked bag.

Get a printable PDF version here.

Top Wedding Planning Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Planning your wedding should be one of the most thrilling experiences of your life. It’s a time filled with love, excitement, and a touch of magic as you prepare to celebrate your special day. But let’s be real—it can also be a bit overwhelming. With so many details to manage, it’s easy to stumble into common wedding planning mistakes. 

That’s why we’re here to guide you through the dos and don’ts of wedding planning. From choosing the right venue to nailing down your guest list, we’ll show you how to sidestep the usual hiccups and make planning your big day as enjoyable as the celebration itself. Ready for a stress-free wedding planning experience? 

Top Wedding Planning Mistakes 

Wedding planning involves many intricate details, which can often cause chaos! Here are some of the top wedding planning mistakes you’d rather avoid: 

Not Setting a Clear Budget

Bad budgeting is one of the biggest wedding planning mistakes. Without a defined budget, costs can quickly escalate, making financial management challenging.

Overlooking the Guest Experience 

It’s crucial to consider your guests’ comfort and enjoyment to ensure a memorable celebration for everyone.

Last-Minute Planning

Delaying decisions can limit your options and increase costs. Start planning early to secure the best choices.

No Contingency Plan

Especially for outdoor weddings, not having a backup plan for unexpected weather or other issues can cause major disruptions.

Micromanaging Every Detail

Overseeing everything personally can be stressful. Trusting your vendors and delegating tasks can make your planning process smoother.

Trying to Do It All Alone

Taking on all planning responsibilities can be overwhelming. Consider enlisting the help of a professional wedding planner. They can provide valuable assistance, from venue selection to vendor coordination, making your wedding planning journey a more enjoyable experience.

Destify’s Essential List for Wedding Planning

Embarking on your wedding planning journey, especially for a destination wedding, can be a thrilling experience. Want to know how to plan a wedding step by step? Here’s a guide to help you navigate the process smoothly:

Determine Your Vision and Budget

Start by envisioning your dream wedding and setting a realistic budget. Consider factors like location, size, and style—check out our blog on creating a wedding budget for all our tips.

Choose the Right Destination

How to plan a destination wedding? It all starts with the location, so select a location that aligns with your vision and is accessible to guests. Research local customs and weather patterns, and check out this blog for an idea of the best destinations to wed worldwide.

Secure a Venue and Date

Book your venue early, especially if you’re planning a wedding in a popular destination. This sets the stage for all other planning.

Hire a Wedding Planner

Consider hiring a wedding planner, particularly for destination weddings. Planners like Destify can offer invaluable advice and handle logistics, easing your planning stress.

Curate Your Guest List and Send Invites

Decide on your guest list and send out invites with enough lead time, especially for destination weddings where travel is involved.

Coordinate with Vendors

From photographers to caterers, ensure you have all the necessary vendors booked. Look for those experienced in destination weddings.

Plan the Itinerary

Outline the schedule for your wedding events, including any pre-wedding activities or excursions for guests.

Finalize Details and Confirmations

As the wedding approaches, confirm all arrangements with vendors, the venue, and guests. Ensure travel and accommodation logistics are sorted.

Why It’s Important to Take Care While Wedding Planning

Though exciting, wedding planning can be a source of significant stress, as it’s a period filled with high expectations and emotional decisions. Recognizing this, it’s essential to approach wedding planning with mindfulness and self-care. Psychologists suggest maintaining open communication with your partner, setting realistic expectations, and taking time for self-care. 

How to Cut your Guest List from 120 to 30

It’s everyone’s favorite part of wedding planning: the guest list! No really, as stressful as the process might seem, making a smaller guest list can be a fairly dynamic experience.

Focus on the Essentials

Weddings are becoming smaller. But that’s not a bad thing. An unforgettable destination experience is still possible with fewer guests, especially with a bevy of resorts and venues to choose from.

Be Realistic

Don’t build a guest list for your wedding based on what you hope the rules will be. If you are worried about hurting feelings or can’t make a decision on which friends to choose, stick to the immediate and extended family.

Start the Process

If you have a reduced ceremony, start with plus ones. It is crucial that the person you are near to is there and they will understand you saving the seat if you don’t have a relationship with their significant other.
Next up, think about your ongoing relationship. Ask yourself, have you seen them or spoken to them more than once in the past few months, i.e. about things other than their wedding attendance. If not, they might not be a good candidate to invite.

Communicate Early and Precisely

Trimming your guest list shouldn’t be a last-minute ordeal. If you’re thinking about hosting a smaller, social-distanced wedding, it’ll be essential to reach out to your potential guests as soon/often as possible. In this day and age, we recommend sending personalized check-in emails with a few important details:

Why you decided to lower the guest count

How the situation makes you feel

Why you chose a new date or are sticking to your new date

How you came to the very difficult decision to lower your guest list to immediate family only

If you have plans to live stream or record the wedding so they can still experience your special day