Happy first day of summer! If you’re going away to elope or hosting a fantastic wedding weekend party, preparation is everything. Make sure you do these eight things to make your dreams come true!
Make a List
Ever go on a trip and realize you forgot something important? It’s usually something small, like a hair brush or tampons or your bathing suit—but these things can greatly impact your comfort level.
Create a list of everything you’ll need to pack for the wedding, and double-check. This is not the time to underpack or think “it’ll be fine.” This is your special day! Everything won’t be perfect, but being prepared will get it pretty close.
Protect Your Gear
Keep your wedding gown in a garment bag at all times, and hang it away from pets or small children. Safely store your wedding day jewelry, headpiece, garter, undergarments, shoes, and veil. It’s helpful to keep these in a pocket of the garment bag—or in a separate travel box that will keep everything accounted for. Do not iron your veil. To get out wrinkles, you can lightly steam it or hang it for a few days and they will fall out.
Have Backups
Accidents happen. If you’ve seen any wedding movie ever, you’ve seen the bride tear her veil, spill wine all over her dress, lose her shoes to the dog, or drop her ring in the shower. Hopefully none of these perils befall you! But if anything does go wrong, it helps to have a backup LWD, hair clip, and pair of flats. You can wear these items on your honeymoon, and you’ll feel better knowing you won’t be walking down the aisle in jeans.
Use a Host
Your wedding day will be a whirlwind of events. It’s difficult to live in the moment and enjoy yourself if guests are constantly asking questions, or if you have to stop and pay the photographer before they leave, or if you have to find out who is double parked. Designate someone else—be it your MOH or wedding planner—to act as the gracious host. Let them solve problems so you can relax and just enjoy being the bride!
Emergency Medical Info
Emergencies happen, even at weddings. Whether your fiancé steps on a rattlesnake or your relative falls on the dance floor, you should know who to call. Even if nothing goes wrong on the wedding day, you might require medical help on the honeymoon. Keep your information with you, bring extra medication, and let your insurance companies know that you are traveling. Make sure you are covered abroad.
Vendors Who Can Be There
Many popular destination wedding spots will suggest (or require) vendors they work with on a regular basis. Make sure you are comfortable with these businesses and plan the details with them ahead of time. Get their contact information. If someone isn’t reliable or doesn’t understand your vision, consider working with someone else. Especially when you’re far from home, it helps to have vendors you can trust to be there.
Do Paperwork in Advance
Do you both have updated passports? Have you changed your name(s)? Have you purchased a license and hired someone who can perform your wedding? A lot of rules apply to marriage ceremonies, so make sure the two of you can travel and get married in your chosen destination. There may be residency requirements or additional fees. Be prepared so you don’t have to sign at the court house later.
Pick a Style
Destination weddings are fun because they can be so much more intimate and carefree than a traditional wedding ceremony. Smaller weddings are easier to style, too! Transform your bridal look with a destination style—whether it’s glamorous, trendy, romantic, vintage-inspired, or beachy. Choosing a theme will help make your wedding feel just a bit more special and make it stand out from the rest of the celebratory weekend.
Are you hosting a destination wedding? Check out our My Bridal Style: Destination for bridal styling ideas, and follow us on Instagram for the latest industry trends.
