Destination Weddings: How to Prepare for Your Big Day

When people think of destination weddings, they often think of the beach. However, a destination wedding can be anywhere that is considered a vacation spot. Many couples opt to have their weddings in different countries that hold special meaning to them. For example, Italy is a very popular wedding destination, yet the wedding might take place in a church, cathedral, park, etc. No matter where you choose to have your big day, there are things to keep in mind to help things go smoothly and take away some of that stress.

Destination Wedding Preparing for the Big Day — If you are planning a vacation wedding, you're going to want to take a few measures to make sure the big day goes smoothly.

Keep your passports in a safe place. This cannot be stressed enough. Make sure you know where your passports are at all times. Appoint a place for them and keep them there no matter what. Once you arrive at your destination of choice, it might be a good idea to have a safe in which to store them for the duration of the trip. You don’t want to have to worry about being stuck in another country during your wedding and possibly your honeymoon.

Hire a wedding planner. If you have the budget to do so, hiring a wedding planner that is familiar with the destination is a huge weight off of a bride and groom’s shoulders. Local wedding planners know the ins-and-outs and are typically widely available, especially if you go for a beach resort wedding. The planners are readily available on staff. All you need to do is tell them what you want, then arrive and enjoy your day.

Take your wedding gown on the plane with you. Never ship your wedding gown to your destination. Take it with you as a carry on and keep it close. Nothing would be worse than having your gown lost with your luggage along the way. Don’t worry about wrinkles… just be sure there is wedding dress specialist near your destination that can steam your wedding gown back into tip-top shape.

Have a backup plan. Rain… it can ruin a beach wedding or any outdoor wedding in minutes. Always have a backup plan. Many brides will have a large rental tent ready or an emergency indoor space ready to be transformed. This goes back to the benefits of having a wedding planner—he or she will always have this covered.

Make sure accommodations are comfortable and reputable. For the bride and groom, as well as the guests, it is important that you have accommodations in which you feel completely comfortable. If you have been to the destination before, stick with what you know. If you haven’t be sure and pay close attention to the accommodation reviews.