
Destination Wedding Planning Timeline
The information below is a basic outline of the standard timeline for planning a destination wedding. Since each wedding is different, this is only an example of how the planning process might go.
12 Months Out

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Determine Your Budget
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Hire a Wedding Planner
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Select a Venue
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Make a Guest List
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Decide Overall Theme
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Hire Primary Vendors (Caterer, Photographer, Band, Officiant)
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Take Engagement Photos Ensure valid passports or visas (if applicable)
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Reserve Honeymoon Suite
9 Months Out

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Recruit Wedding Party
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Create Wedding Website
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Register for Gifts
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Book Hotel-Room Blocks
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Send Save the Dates
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Buy Wedding Dress
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Select Bridesmaids Dresses
6 Months Out

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Order Rental Items
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Hire other vendors (ceremony musicians, lighting technician, on-site transportation, rehearsal dinner venue, baker, videographer, hairstylist, makeup artist)
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Book Flights
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Book Your Honeymoon
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Buy or Rent Groom's Tuxedo
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Begin Pre-marital counseling
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Walk-through Venue, if possible
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Plan Additional Wedding-Related Events
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Purchase Wedding Rings and accessories
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Order Invitations
3 Months Out

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Send Invitations
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Set Catering Menu
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Set Ceremony Schedule
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Buy Your Cake
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Buy Wedding Bands
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Select Groomsmen Attire
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Order any remaining supplies
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Local Hair and Makeup Trial
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Write Your Vows
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Craft DIY Items
2 Months Out

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Send Wedding Invitations
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First Dress Fitting
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Buy Wedding Party Gifts
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Give Song Selections to Band or DJ
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Complete Floral Mockup
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Finalize photographer shot-list
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Finalize Rental Items
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Get any Required Vaccines
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Order Wedding Favors
1 Month Out

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Assemble Gift Bags
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Pay Vendors in Full
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Create Seating Chart
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Order Escort and/or Place Cards
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Create Tip Envelopes
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Deliver all Items to Wedding Planner
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Final Dress Fitting
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Finalize travel documents
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Chase down RSVPs
Week Of

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Self-Care/Grooming
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Clean Rings
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Pick up dress/tux
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Confirm flight numbers and arrival times for family and wedding party
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Pack Your Bags
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Deliver Final Headcount
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Write Your Partner a Note
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Head to your destination!
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Apply for Wedding License (some destinations will require a prior trip for the license)
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Complete tastings with Caterer and Baker Hair and
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Makeup Trial
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Final venue walk-through