While we may be a little biased, we believe there’s nothing more beautiful than a destination wedding. After all, not only are your friends and family coming together to celebrate the love you share with your partner, but they’re doing so in a truly stunning location.
However, there’s no denying that destination weddings take a lot of careful planning and organization - especially if you’re hopping on a plane before the big day. With that in mind, here are some useful tips for the tasks that you probably won’t think of until the last minute!
Take the time difference into account.
Taking into account the time difference when traveling for a destination wedding is key. For this reason, you may want to adjust your current sleep schedule accordingly, so that you aren’t yawning throughout the ceremony or drifting off during the speeches. After all, the last thing you want to deal with on your special day is jet lag! This is advice that you may also want to share with your guests, especially if they are traveling from further afield.
This is something that you should also keep in mind throughout the planning process, especially when liaising with or trying to get in touch with vendors and organizers who are based abroad. Don’t be that person that calls to check the details of flower arrangements at 1 am!
Know exactly what to pack.
Packing for a destination wedding is a little different from packing for a standard vacation. For example, you may need to bring along additional items, such as a steamer, that you’d usually go without. This way, you can ensure that your outfit is crinkle-free, no matter how long it was stuffed into your suitcase for. Of course, it is also worthwhile in investing in travel luggage specifically for bridal dresses, bridesmaid dresses, and suits in order to avoid any complications. While this will cost a little extra money, it is definitely worth it.
You should also make sure that you pack casual items for the rest of your trip, unless you are planning on wearing your wedding dress by the pool!
Keep an eye on your valuables.
While you should keep items such as your wedding ring in your carry-on bag, the chances are that you won’t be able to carry your wedding dress onto the plane itself, meaning that it will have to go in hold. This can be a little nerve-wracking, especially if you’re worried about your case getting lost or left behind. However, you can give yourself much greater peace of mind by investing in a tracking device that you can add to your suitcase. This way, you can keep track of exactly where your case is, which can come in great handy should you encounter any issues.
You might need to invest in luggage storage facilities.
Traveling for a wedding often means traveling with more bags and cases than you’d usually hop on a plane with. This can make it quite difficult to go about your day, especially if your hotel has a late check-in and early check-out. For this reason, you should research local storage facilities ahead of time, such as luggage storage seville. This will give you much greater peace of mind, as you know that your belongings are stored safely and securely until you need them. Not only that, but it means that you can spend this extra time exploring the destination!
Let your guests know what to expect.
While you may have already visited your chosen destination beforehand, the chances are your guests are coming for the first time. For this reason, you should provide them with some insight into what to expect from the trip ahead of time. For example, do they need to obtain a specific VISA in order to travel, or should they pack bug spray to avoid getting bit? Generally speaking, the more advice and guidance you can provide them with, the better! For example, you could attach this information to your initial save the date notification or wedding invite. This way, your guests are informed from the get-go.
Final thoughts.
Planning a destination wedding can be stressful - but it doesn’t have to be. There are plenty of steps that you can take to ensure that you’re as prepared as possible for when the big day rolls around, including the guidance outlined above. This way, you can make the most of every magical moment, as opposed to feeling as though you’ve got a million things to do on the day itself.
