Destination Wedding Countdown Calendar

Planning a destination wedding requires a whole separate timeline. Here, learn how to get everything done for your wedding with time to spare.

Stay on track with this month-by-month guide (click to expand):

Set a budget. Factor in the number of guests and determine how much you can afford to spend.
Decide on a place. Consider your wedding style and choose a first, second and third choice. Consider travel time and distance.
Research resorts in your country/location of choice and compare what each offers. Shop for packages and consider all-inclusive packages. Compare prices and inclusiveness as well as recommendations, ratings and references.
Research airfare and each resort’s room rates.
Look into the marriage legalities in the locations you’re considering.
Notify family and friends of decision to marry away; select a date.
Decide on your wedding attendants.
After selecting a resort, make travel arrangements for a visit.
Have the location’s on-site wedding coordinator give you a list of preferred local vendors such as the photographer, florist and band.

Visit the resort and meet with the on-site wedding coordinator and local vendors. Look into a group discount on room rates.
Begin your search for your honeymoon location if you will not be honeymooning at your wedding destination. If you’re getting married during a peak holiday season such as Christmas, you may need to book your honeymoon 9 months in advance.
Start gown shopping and begin registering for gifts.
Put together your guest list.
Set up your wedding website. Start with your wedding date and location, adding travel info and other relevant logistics as you go.

Send out save-the-dates to give your guests plenty of time to make travel arrangements.
Get a rough head count; reserve a block of rooms.
Contact your officiant. For most religious ceremonies, you may be required to attend pre-wedding counseling. Civil ceremonies may require permission to be married in the location.
Review and finalize pros’ contracts.
Buy travel and wedding insurance.
Reserve a block of rooms at two hotels in different price ranges and direct your invitees to your wedding website for the details.
If your wedding will take place in another country contact a travel agent to see if you can reserve a block of seats with an airline. Many carriers offer discounts to passengers with groups over ten.
Book your own honeymoon/travel plans.
Select and order your gown and bridesmaid dresses.
Make final selections for your flowers, decor, menu and cake.
Select music for the ceremony, cocktail hour and reception.
Make arrangements for any transportation at the location such as a shuttle for guests to and from the airport.

Make sure website is updated with most recent information.
Write welcome letter to guests and itinerary of events to include in gift bag. Have both printed and ready to take with you or ship to resort.
Order brochures of local activities along with area maps to include in the gift bag.
Review documentation for a legal ceremony with your coordinator.

Finalize guest headcount and confirm group activities.
Ensure all paperwork is in order (passports, documents needed for marriage license, wedding and travel insurance policies).
Print your wedding programs to take with you.
Confirm your honeymoon reservation and any speacial requests.
Address any wedding announcements, stamp and arrange for mailing on your wedding day.