Wedding planner to the stars (very unofficially), let me give you a breakdown of why you should have a destination wedding!
Destination weddings.
It sounds heavenly.
Sunny beaches.
Picturesque locations.
The ultimate celebration with all of your loved ones by your side.
It’s absolutely what you dream of.
Here’s the thing, though…
Planning a destination wedding can be a logistical nightmare. Without proper organisation, that dream vacation could turn into a honeymoon without the wedding. There are just too many things that you can forget when it comes to organising your destination wedding. As you may well know, from your wedding reception in Limavady to your arrival in Paris or Bali, legal requirements and wedding logistics must be taken into account.
The good news?
It can be done. Couples have pulled off the perfect stress-free, all-inclusive destination wedding by doing their homework first. Destination weddings are becoming so popular. According to The Knot’s 2025 study, 18% of couples in 2024 alone have opted for this choice. Let’s go through the stress-free destination wedding checklist and make sure that nothing is missed. From legal documents to planning a realistic guest list, from your travel plans to last-minute ideas for your special day, this post will cover it all!
If you want to get started right away, here is the stress-free destination wedding checklist:
- Destination weddings are actually worth it
- Legal documents you need for your destination wedding
- When to plan your destination wedding
- Things to consider when it comes to your guests
- Planning the budget for a destination wedding
- Vendor and venue selection tips
Destination Weddings Are Actually Worth It
Destination weddings are actually really worth it for so many reasons.
While beautiful photos are pretty darn good, destination weddings also have practical advantages that most people don’t know about.
Here are the most common reasons that couples opt for a destination wedding:
Destination weddings actually save you money (on average, $28,000 vs $35,000), while still offering an exotic location!
Couple’s destination weddings naturally end up with a smaller, more intimate guest list. No pressure to invite your fifth cousins, twice removed, or co-workers that you can’t stand!
A wedding and honeymoon can be combined in one trip = less hassle and more enjoyment.
Legal Documents You Need for Your Destination Wedding
This is the part where so many plans go to waste.
Every single country has different legal requirements and paperwork to get married. Some require blood tests. Others need a certain period of residency before they get married. One missing document can set you back weeks. Or ruin your wedding entirely.
Here is a general idea of what you need:
- A passport for each person
- Birth certificate (original version)
- Divorce decree or death certificate from any prior marriage
- Evidence of single status or affidavit of eligibility to marry
Requirements for each of these documents differ by country. Official translations are required by most. Getting documents notarised in the US and abroad is also very common. A number of countries also require an apostille to prove that a document is legally valid.
For couples who want to do as much as possible at home before the wedding, Superior Notary Services online notarization has made getting documents notarized so much easier. Notaries are no longer needed to go in person to get documents notarized.
The trick: Start 6 months or more before the wedding date. Some of these documents take weeks to get. Translations add even more time.
Couples avoid all of this by simply getting legally married at home first. A symbolic ceremony is done at the destination, but without any of the legal requirements.
When to Plan Your Destination Wedding
If you do it right, start gathering legal documents 6+ months in advance. Send out save-the-dates 8-12 months in advance.
The average planning time for a destination wedding is 9-12 months. The earlier, the better. Especially for peak season and popular destinations.
Timing is important for so many reasons:
- Guests need time to book travel and hotels
- Venues book up fast in popular areas
- Visa processing takes months
- Off-season dates are cheaper
Destination weather also plays a factor. The Caribbean hurricane season is June-November. Parts of Asia and Africa have a monsoon season from May to October. Nobody wants a rainy or stormy wedding day.
Sending out save-the-dates 8-12 months in advance gives guests plenty of time to plan. Not everyone can take off at the drop of a hat for an overseas trip. The more advanced the notice, the better the attendance.
Things to Consider When It Comes to Your Guests
Destination weddings require your guests to take time and money off work. This needs to be considered and planned.
The best way to plan this is to:
- Keep guest list realistic: smaller is better (20-50 guests). Smaller groups are also cheaper.
- Provide guests with as much information as possible early on: dates, costs to travel, accommodations, and so on. Dress code is also really important.
- Book a room block at a hotel/resort: these days, resorts have discounts when groups book blocks of rooms (often with free upgrades or wedding perks thrown in).
Very cool, right?
Be understanding if people can’t come: money and work obligations are real.
Planning the Budget for a Destination Wedding
Destination wedding costs can skyrocket if you aren’t careful. However, they don’t have to!
Here are some average destination wedding costs in 2024:
Research shows the average destination wedding package cost was $6,550.
All-inclusive packages often cover the ceremony, venue, basic decor, and even a photographer.
How can couples really save on costs?
- Compare all-inclusive packages to à la carte prices
- Travel during shoulder season (cheaper)
- Limit guest list (cheaper accommodation costs)
- Choose countries with favourable currency exchange rates
- Book flights during sales/redeem reward points
Hidden costs trip up many couples. Translation services for documents, legalisation of documents, extra guest activities, and welcome gifts all add up. Couples should have 15-20% of their budget as a buffer for the unexpected.
Travel insurance is key, too. Bad weather delays, vendor cancellations, and medical emergencies happen. Insurance for these and other events is a must.
Vendor and Venue Selection Tips
Vendor selection from 8,000 miles away is intimidating. It doesn’t have to be.
Here are some tips on how to select vendors remotely:
- Start with a venue’s recommended vendors: resorts often have a list of local photographers, florists, and caterers that they have worked with before. Wedding venues have to know these vendors well, since they likely work with them every week.
- Ask for video calls (instead of emails): getting a face-to-face view of a vendor shows a lot about their professionalism.
- Ask for references (from other destination weddings): specifically, couples who are from the same home country (UK, USA, Australia, etc) as you. They understand the challenges.
- Read contracts carefully: know the cancellation policy and deposit requirements. International contracts can be difficult to enforce.
- Consider a local wedding planner: on the ground, someone who can manage logistical details that are impossible to coordinate remotely.
Wrapping Everything Up
Destination weddings can be an amazing way to celebrate your love in a beautiful, exotic location. Success in pulling off a destination wedding without a hitch requires details.
Destination wedding stress-free checklist:
- Legal documents for each country: start 6+ months in advance
- Save the dates: send 8-12 months in advance
- Choose a destination with consideration of weather and logistics
- Budget, budget, budget with a 15-20% buffer for emergencies and unexpected costs
- Vendor selection with the help of the venue, references, video calls, and local planners
It’s a lot of work. Paperwork is a hassle. Logistics can feel overwhelming.
Couples who plan well in advance report that their destination wedding exceeded expectations in every way.
One step at a time. Focus on one element at a time. Seek help from experts and professionals who specialise in destination weddings.
Your dream wedding on the beach in Bali or the French Riviera is 100% possible!
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