S T E P   O N E

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Your Guide to Destination Wedding Planning

This "private access" guide, along with your wedding travel expert, will help you through the destination wedding planning steps. We've  collected and organized information that is helpful during each step of the process.
Come back often! We're on this journey together!

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Planning Deposit Paid!

Congratulations! We had a great planning call and have received your Planning Deposit!

We are now working on putting together our list of recommended resorts. We combine the details you shared with our years of wedding travel experience to help us sort through resorts until we find the best options that fit your wants, needs and budget. 

Just call us your resort Wedding Resort Match Maker!

While you wait for your custom resort recommendations list, you can continue to work on your guest list.

Your Destination Wedding Guest List Made Easy!

We are going to need to know how many rooms we need to book, so sorting your guest list into different sub-lists will help tremendously. Like this:

To get an estimate on how many guests will attend and how many rooms you will need to set aside, it is best to divide your guest list up into 3:

Add together all of your A list and half of your B list to get a close estimate of the number of guests who will travel for your wedding. This is who we need to set rooms aside for.

Guests on your A list are those who you know will be there no matter what. These guests include parents, family, bridal party and your closest friends.

Guests on your B list are those who would love to travel with you, but just may not be able to for one reason or another.

Guests are your C list are those you feel obligated to invite, but you know there is a very small chance that they will travel for your wedding.

+

1/2 of

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Estimated Number of Guests

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Destination Wedding Planning Timeline

1-2 years before your wedding date

Choose your destination - Choosing the right destination is the hardest, but most exciting part! Couples can spend months browsing through travel magazines and websites in search of the perfect destination. Budget often plays a major role as couples consider the cost and convenience of air travel to their destination options. Marriage laws and residency requirements for certain destinations also come into play. With so much to consider, couples often struggle with this initial decision. We understand this, and hope that you'll let our expertise be your guide.

Select your resort ​-​ This is another fun step! Often, couples will fall in love with a resort that they've read about and choose it, regardless of it's location. There are many things to consider when selecting the resort... Do you want it to be for adults only, or family friendly? Do you want it to be all-inclusive (highly recommended!) or close to the airport? You can be confident in our resort recommendations, knowing that we will only offer resorts with proven track records. Remember, we've been to most of these resorts and destinations and you can rely on our first-hand experience and connections.

Confirm your wedding date with the resort - Destination weddings take place every day of the week, so finding an available date is not usually a problem if you have some flexibility. The more set you are on a particular date, the earlier you should begin planning. Several resorts cut back on the perks you earn if you choose a Saturday or weekend ceremony date due to the high demand. If you choose a Thursday or Monday, you may earn more perks!

Make your room reservation - As soon as your wedding date is confirmed with the resort, we will set up the room block with the resort and have you book your room. This seals your plans, giving you the assurance that you in fact are going to have a destination wedding! You can take a deep breath and relax knowing that the major decision making is done.

1 year before your wedding date

Send Save-The-Date invitations - Usually couples will send a Save-The-Date invitation as soon as their wedding date and location are confirmed. You can choose anything from a Save-The-Date email to refrigerator magnets to a formal printed postcard. Some couples design a monogram or logo for their wedding. We include a custom wedding website for you free of charge. The possibilities are endless! Since we take on the task of travel planning for your guests, you'll want to tell guests you have partnered with  Romance Travel Group so your guests know who is handling their room reservations. We will customize each guests' travel arrangements to fit their specific wants and needs.

Shop for your dress - If you haven't already done so, now is the time! Remember that you'll want to carry your wedding dress with you while you travel. It will be one of your carry-ons for the flight. Destination wedding dresses come in all styles from beachy sundresses to formal gowns. Whatever you choose, it will reflect your personality and style. Happy shopping! 

Check your passport - If you already have a passport, make sure it will be valid for at least 6 months after you plan to travel for your destination wedding. If you don't have a passport yet, you'll want to apply for one now. Also, when making your travel reservations, make sure the name on your passport is what you give for the name on your travel documents. Don't worry about changing the name on your passport to your married name until after your wedding trip.

6 months before your wedding date

Talk it up! - A lot of guests have probably booked their travel by now, but some will wait until your Book By date draws nearer. Keep talking to your family and friends about your wedding.  Don't be afraid to show them your excitement! Usually guests only need a small deposit to lock in their travel reservations, so the earlier they book, the more payments they can make to help their budget for their trip. Sharing this with them early and often will motivate them to confirm their trip. We are more than willing to send a note to your guests inviting them to book. It is sometimes nice to get a reminder from someone other than the bride and groom.

2-3 months before your wedding date

Finalize the details - The details of your ceremony and reception will start to really take shape. You will be making decisions on things like flowers, menus, music, and decorations. You will also make a contingency plan in case of inclement weather. Resorts have a wedding coordinator on site that we will work with to plan the fine details of your wedding day.

Finalize legal documents - Make sure you have all of the legal documents in order that are required for you to be married. Do you need notarized copies of anything? Do you need anything translated? We will help you with these details early on, but should have everything ready to go at least 2 months prior.

Send formal invitations - Some couples choose to send a formal invitation to their guests, especially if you are having a reception at home after your destination wedding. In this case, you can announce your destination wedding and invite guests to your reception. Again, you'll want to include your website and our contact information so last minute wedding guests can easily make their travel arrangements. You can skip a formal invitation completely if all of your guests are booked and you have no other events to invite them to.

Final payment - travel arrangements usually need to be paid in full 90-120 days prior to your departure date.

1 month prior to your wedding date

Finalize everything - All of the details for your wedding ceremony and reception should be finalized. You should begin a packing list so you don't forget anything important when you leave for the airport.

Right before you depart

Prepare to travel - Make sure you have held your mail at the post office, set up an out-of-office auto reply for your email at work and home, and have given key people your travel itinerary. Make copies of your passports to keep in each piece of luggage just in case. Double check that you have all legal marriage documents in your carry-on. 

Bon Voyage!!! You're getting married!

Real Couples. Real Wedding Stories.

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Ready for the Next Step

Destination Wedding Planning Step Two

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