NTA’s Destination Wedding Checklist
Destination Wedding Checklist for All-Inclusive Resort Weddings
12–18 Months To Go...
Secure a budget. This includes everything that you have. Even though destination weddings can be less expensive than a local venue and DIY it, you want to have a budget in mind for the actual wedding and your travel and accommodations.
Guest list. This will be directly related to your budget – This can and will fluctuate but most destination weddings are based on the number of people attending. Will it be 20, 100, or 250.
Decide on a country or region you'd like to get married in. Talk to an NTA agent – they will be able to help you narrow down a country or region.
Talk about marriage license options with your fiancé. Marriage requirements vary from country to country, but do not worry your NTA agent is more than likely familiar with where you are wanting to go and will talk over the options with you.
Do you both have your passports? If not, start the process ASAP. (Some countries require that it be valid for a minimum of 6 months prior to the ceremony) Plus, it can take months to process if you don’t get it expedited.
Choose your date. Your NTA agent will need to know the date you want and if it is flexible to see which resorts can accommodate you and your guests.
Choose your resort and wedding location! Your agent will help you with all of the details on the venue. This process can take from 10-30 minutes for the first initial meeting and bride and groom being there is a great way to learn more about each of your wants.
Don’t forget the travel insurance. If a travel agent knows anything – it is that travel insurance can be such a blessing! Don’t believe us, ask for some of our stories about trips that did not include travel insurance.
9–11 Months To Go...
Ask your bridal tribe. Put your asks out for your maid of honor and your wedding party. Make sure they all have passports for the wedding.
Take engagement photos. These make great photos to put on your wedding website.
Send out invitations. For a destination wedding, people are going to need to use some vacation time and start to pay on their trip so they want to be booking far in advance.
NTA will set up a room block. We will need to know how many people are going to commit to coming and will need a room. We will also need to know the room categories that you want us to hold.
NTA will create a wedding website that includes details on travel and accommodations. We will include all of the travel information and coordinate with each guest. We will also keep you updated on guests’ status.
Create your gift registry. Keep in mind that guests traveling for your wedding are spending money to be there, but it is a vacation for them as well. You can choose that their presence is present enough. We also highly recommend you setting up a gift registry for those that still want to gift to you and those that can’t attend. We can add this to your personalized website.
Find your dress and your colors. Take the ceremony and reception location into account, along with climate and the ceremony venue!
Purchase your flights. NTA will of course set these up for you. If you have flight credits you want to use, that is ok as well.
Honeymoon. You have the option of staying in the same hotel and destination or choose to move to a different hotel in-destination. We will work out what is best for you!
YOUR GUESTS NEED to book through NTA. When having a destination wedding, some of the people will go internet searching for better deals – let them know that by attending your wedding they need to be in your wedding block – this gives you the guests you need to account for your wedding package. The more that book in your room block, the more amenities you may receive from the resort.
6–8 Months To Go...
Work with the wedding coordinator. NTA will introduce you to your wedding coordinator and they will work with you on all the extras and the ceremony details.
Book the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner location(s). Since this is probably at an all-inclusive, we will need to set up a reservation if you want something private or semi private. THIS IS OPTIONAL.
Schedule your dress fitting and get your bridal party attire. This also includes any flower girl or ring bearer attire.
Set dates and locations for bridal showers and bachelor/bachelorette parties. Create your guest list for these events, and let your MOH or another trusted friend/family member handle the rest.
Review contracts. Make sure to go over every detail with your NTA advisor.
Continue working with wedding coordinator. You may also want to book the following:
Hairstylist/Makeup Artist Spa Day/Massage
3–5 Months To Go...
Finalize that guest list and resend out the website! If you want to send out paper invitations, you can!
Excursions. This is totally optional, but if you're going to be in a tropical paradise wouldn't a group snorkeling excursion be fun? Update your wedding website to inform guests as plans are secured.
Purchase wedding rings and accessories. These are items such as your veil, wedding shoes, and undergarments.
Finalize honeymoon plans. Get with your NTA advisor.
6–8 Weeks To Go...
Finalize and confirm:
Flight and hotel bookings
Guest RSVPs
Wedding vows
Shot list with your photographer/videographer
Menu, beverage details
Song list for ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception with your DJ and/or band/musicians
Timeline for the reception and who's giving the toasts
Get legal documents secured. This may include passports, birth certificates, visas, and anything else needed to make your destination wedding legit.
Decide on wedding favors for your guests. The destination might be reward enough - or you might want to get each guest a little something!
Buy gifts for the wedding party and parents of the bride/groom. You may also want to buy a gift for your fiancé.
Inform your guests. This may be a welcome note, wedding itinerary, maps, locally made treats, or travel-sized essentials and we can help with all of this.
3–5 Weeks To Go…
Send anything you can't take with you on the plane to your on-site wedding coordinator. Normally this isn’t too much, sometimes paying for an extra suitcase might make it worth it – but if you do send anything follow up with the wedding coordinator and get insurance for your package(s).
Pick up your wedding rings. Proofread any engraving.
Have your final dress fitting. Bring your shoes, undergarments, and accessories for the full impact.
Last minute invites. We have people book last minute all of the time, but make sure it doesn’t cost you more money and if it does consider putting a FINAL RSVP date.
Put together a packing list. Give yourself plenty of time and remember that lists are great! We can help.
Get your Marriage License and Get Married ?? YES! Your destination wedding is a symbolic ceremony – you have to get married legally in-state before your ceremony.
1–2 Weeks To Go...
Get your gown and tuxes. It is so close – make sure you know how you are going to transport them.
Confirm travel arrangements. Your NTA advisor is on top of it, make sure you are aware of all details.
Put together your Bridal Kit. Your NTA advisor can help!
Weather… We cannot control it but we can have a back up plan!
Start packing for your wedding and honeymoon. The earlier the better. Plan outfits for the different wedding festivities (rehearsal dinner, post-wedding brunch, etc.) and triple-check that packing list to confirm you have everything you need. Take pics of your outfits for the day/event and there is no second guessing!
Make sure you have the proper electrical converters so you can plug in your devices. You really need your hairdryer to work.
Figure out tips and final payments for vendors. Tipping customs vary greatly from country to country, so ask your NTA advisor can help with this.
4–5 Days To Go…
Get on that airplane! IMPORTANT: Pack your wedding attire, rings and anything else of value in your carry-ons. You don't want lost luggage to ruin your wedding day.
Arrive at your wedding destination. You'll want to show up a few days ahead of your guests so you're there to greet them. You can also:
Schedule a walk through
Meet with your coordinator
Go over details in-person
Make sure welcome bags will be delivered to guests' rooms if there are any
Enjoy a mani-pedi or massage
The Day Before…
Have your wedding dress steamed. This will remove any travel-induced wrinkles.
Rock that rehearsal and dinner. If you are having one of course.
Get REST! You have a big day ahead of you.
The Day Of…
Get plenty of rest and take your time. It is big day – have a day-of check list so you don’t feel as rushed.
Say Thank you—greet everyone and let them know how special they are.
Enjoy the moment. Appreciate your new spouse and enjoy every moment that you have spent and will spend together in the future!