The journey to your dream wedding starts now! With 12 to 16 months to go, it’s time to lay the foundation for your big day. From picking the perfect date to choosing your dream venue, these early months are all about setting the stage for a celebration to remember. Let’s dive into the must-dos for this exciting phase of your wedding planning!
- Work out your budget. This includes most of the typical wedding items, but also travel expenses like airfare and accommodations.
- Draft up your guest list . This will be directly related to your budget.
- Decide on a country or region you’d like to get married in. Be sure to check which seasons have the best weather (and no hurricanes).
- Talk about marriage license options with your fiancé. Marriage requirements vary from country to country. They range from blood tests (no, we aren’t kidding) and waiting periods to extra fees. So unless you’re planning on running to your nearest courthouse for a civil ceremony prior to the wedding day, find out what the country you’ve chosen requires in order to make it official. See the country’s tourism website for details.
- Do you and your fiancé have your passports or travel visas?(Some countries require that it be valid for a minimum of 6 months prior to the ceremony. Plus, it can take months to process!)
- Hire a planner. Do not skip this step.When it comes to international matters and planning from afar, a seasoned professional is essential in helping you manage the process. Bonus points if they’re fluent in your wedding country’s language.
- Book a travel agent. They can match you up with a location that fits your vision. They’ll also negotiate with venues to get you the best pricing, perks, and upgrades!
- Secure a wedding venue and set your date! Get all details and contracts in writing and send in a deposit if needed. (It’s great if you’re able to take a pre-wedding trip out there to view venues in person, but this isn’t always possible—or necessary. If you can’t visit, scour the web for trusted reviews—and get input from that travel agent and/or wedding planner you hired!)
- Do you need wedding insurance? It’s something to think about. Check with your venue about liability insurance and consider other options like cancellation insurance.
- Reserve your honeymoon suite. If it’s at the same venue you’re getting married at, you can do this at the same time you book your wedding.
