A Complete Guide to Summer Destination Weddings

Summer destination weddings are some of the most beautiful ceremonies. Your ceremony will have warm weather and stunning views no matter where you say your vows, but long-distance traveling requires a bit more planning. Use this guide to plan your summer destination wedding with ease and feel confident about your ceremony.

1. Prepare for Your Travel Plans

Narrow down your potential wedding destinations to at least three locations. You’ll need to research how long it takes to fly to each place before picking your favorite. The length of your flight determines layovers and the ultimate cost of your tickets. You may also prefer a gorgeous place closer to home if you can’t get more than a few days off work for your big day.

2. Research Marriage License Requirements

Every couple needs a marriage license to make their wedding legally official. The process of obtaining that license varies by city, county, state and country. Once you’ve chosen your destination, research the license process steps according to your venue’s location.

Couples that want to fly to Italy for their wedding must sign an affidavit in front of a U.S. consular officer once they arrive. If you’re getting married in Canada, you must apply with your venue’s municipality and provide all the required documentation. You’ll likely need time to collect your official documents and schedule necessary appointments with the licensing authorities, so it’s best to start this process at least six to 10 months before your wedding.

If you’re getting married in Greece, the paperwork needs to be processed maximum 3 months before zour wedding date. However you should always consult your planner or the local authority of the location where you’re getting married.

3. Update Your Passports or Visas

Depending on where you are traveling from, you can either enter a country with an official ID or a Passport which will allow you to enter and leave the country legally. If you’re getting married abroad, you might also need a visa to enter the country. Ensure both are up to date well before your wedding date arrives.

It takes an average of six to eight weeks to process a new or updated passport with the U.S. Department of State. If you get moving on this wedding planning step six months before your big day, you’ll have documentation ready to get your airline tickets before the summer travel rush spikes ticket prices.

4. Inquire About Permits

Local government authorities hand out permits for events like weddings. Venue coordinators typically handle this step, but it’s helpful to ask a few months before your ceremony.

Anyone planning a gorgeous beachfront wedding will need a permit to use the outdoor space, likely given by your venue’s city. Some come with flat rates or require per-hour permit fees along with event liability insurance. Contact your destination’s local government or city office to inquire about how to get permits for your selected date.

5. Work With a Local Wedding Planner

Choosing your wedding planner requires extra thought. You want to ensure you pick someone with experience planning events of similar size, but they should also know how to handle summer destination weddings.

There’s no requirement for couples to work with a planner who lives there, but it helps significantly. They’ll know all the local businesses and may have discount deals through established partnerships. Given how the average wedding planner costs $2,000–$10,000 for their services, saving money with exclusive discounts could make your wedding much more affordable.

6. Make Plans for Lost Luggage

If you know you’ll check any bags full of things you can’t go without at your wedding, make backup plans for lost luggage. Could you get new outfits or toiletries close to your hotel? Mapping local shopping centers and convenience stores will make the potential experience less stressful. You can also ensure your wedding dress luggage won’t get lost by bringing it as your carry-on bag or mailing it well before your flight takes off.

7. Mail Anything You Want at Your Venue

As your wedding grows closer, you’ll likely start collecting things you want at your venue. The decor and trinkets handed down by family members or bought on sale may not get to your venue on time if you mail them too late.

Ship everything at least two to three weeks ahead of your big day. You’ll give the shipping process extra time for potential delays. Your venue coordinator can discuss where they’ll store everything as you piece together your dream ceremony over the coming months.

8. Create Weather Backup Plans

Research your destination’s typical weather around your wedding date. You can work with your local coordinator or venue manager for relevant supplies like a rented tent. They’ll also have personal experience with local forecasts, so they can help you gauge whether rain showers or tropical storms may affect your wedding.

9. Remember to Schedule Wedding Party Activities

You’ll likely get to your destination a few days early to account for jet lag and delayed flights. If your wedding party arrives at the same time, plan a few activities to entertain everyone. You could book boat tours or sightseeing expeditions, depending on your wedding location. Even attending a seasonal festival with live music will create great memories before your big day arrives.

10. Celebrate Your Guests With Thank-You Gifts

No matter where you get married, your guests will likely travel significant distances to attend your ceremony. Show them how much their effort means to you by giving them thank-you gifts.

If most of them stay in the same hotel due to a room block discount, you could ask the management team to hand them homemade goodie bags when they check in. Consider giving everyone summer-themed gifts like mini sunscreen bottles, battery-powered fans and refillable water bottles.

Enjoy Planning Your Summer Destination Wedding

Add these tips to any wedding planning guide to create the ultimate ceremony without extra stress. You’ll think of everything you need for your summer destination wedding and avoid common pitfalls that cause significant problems, like waiting too long to process required forms.

Author bio: Cora Gold is a wedding writer and editor of women’s lifestyle magazine, Revivalist. She has been featured on Brides, Love Inc. and Chicago Style Weddings. Connect with Cora on LinkedIn, X and Pinterest.