A Destination Wedding Planning Checklist

A destination wedding trades the familiar for the unforgettable. It also asks for more planning: guests who travel, documents, distance from your vendors. This checklist keeps the important things in order.

12 to 9 months ahead

• Choose the destination and confirm the legal requirements for marrying there
• Set a guest list and share save-the-dates early
• Reserve the venue and a block of rooms for guests
• Begin the conversation with your photographer and filmmaker, so your date is held

9 to 6 months ahead

• Book flights and lodging for yourselves and the wedding party
• Confirm travel documents, including passport validity for everyone traveling
• Plan the schedule of the weekend, not just the wedding day
• Visit the site if you can, or arrange a virtual walkthrough

6 to 3 months ahead

• Share a detailed timeline with your vendors
• Plan a weather alternative for the ceremony
• Arrange transportation for guests between locations
• Discuss permits and rules for photography, film and aerial coverage

The final weeks

• Confirm every vendor, address and arrival time
• Pack rings, documents and a small kit for the day
• Share a list of must-have portraits and family groupings
• Plan time to arrive early and rest before the event

Working with a studio that travels

Ask how your studio plans travel, how many people will be on site, and what happens if flights are delayed. A studio that has traveled before will have a plan. Add time on arrival to scout the location together.

Frequently asked questions

How early should we book coverage for a destination wedding? As soon as you have a date and destination. Travel adds planning, so earlier is better.

Do you travel worldwide? Yes. Learn more about our destination wedding cinematography.

Can you cover the whole weekend? Many couples add welcome events or a farewell brunch. Tell us the schedule and we will plan around it. See also a sample wedding day timeline.