Destination Wedding Check List part 2
Here part 2 for the second half of your destination wedding planning in France:
6–8 months before your wedding day:
Take your engagement photos.
Work with your wedding venue and caterer to create the menu.
Book the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner location(s). Destination wedding etiquette usually involves inviting everyone in attendance to the rehearsal dinner or some sort of pre-wedding event.
Schedule your dress fitting and get your wedding party attire. This also includes any flower girl or ring bearer attire.
Order your wedding invitations. You'll want to give guests plenty of time to RSVP, as well as point them to your wedding website for full details on accommodations, transportation, local attractions, wedding events, dress code, and gift registries.
Book wedding-day transportation, if needed. If your room block is at a separate location from your venue, set up a shuttle service for guest transportation to and from the wedding.
Continue booking vendors. Definitely have your photographer and caterer contracted by now. You may also want to book the following:
DJ or Band
Cake Maker
Rentals & Linens unless they’re supplied by your venue.
Review contracts and have everything in writing This is where I can also help you with translations and contractual requirements.
3–5 months before your wedding day:
Get those invitations out! Very necessary when planning a destination wedding.
Start scheduling any informal recreational activities. Update your wedding website to inform guests as plans are secured. We can find some great events together!
Purchase wedding rings and accessories (such as veil, wedding shoes, and undergarments).
Finalize honeymoon plans. I’ve traveled all over France, perhaps exploring more France would be perfect for a romantic honeymoon.
6–8 weeks before your wedding day:
Finalize and confirm with me:
Flight and hotel bookings.
Guest RSVPs and meal choices.
Wedding vows and readings with your officiant.
Shot list with your photographer/videographer.
Menu, beverage, and catering details.
All rental delivery times and pickups.
Song list for ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception with your DJ and/or band/musicians.
Have your timeline and who's giving the toasts and first dance, etc.
Passports, birth certificates, visas, and anything else needed to make your destination wedding legitimate.
Purchase the gifts for the wedding party and parents of the bride/groom. You may also want to buy a gift for your fiancé. Remember you have to have this in luggage that probably is already heavy! 50 lb or 23 kilos is your limit.
Arrange welcome gift bags for your guests. They may include a welcome note, wedding itinerary, maps, locally made treats, or travel-sized essentials.
3–5 weeks before your wedding day:
Send anything you can't take with you on the plane to your on-site wedding coordinator Pick up your wedding rings and proofread any engraving!
Have your final dress fitting. Bring your shoes, undergarments, and accessories for the full impact.
Start putting a packing list together. Give yourself plenty of time so that no items are overlooked. Google Keep Notes has a handy way to create lists with checkboxes.
1–2 weeks before your wedding day:
Confirm flight numbers and arrival times for all the key players in your wedding.
Finalize seating arrangements and have a seating chart or place cards created.
Verify that you have a Plan B for your venue in case of weather not cooperating.
Start packing for your wedding and honeymoon. The earlier the better. Plan outfits for the different wedding festivities.
Make sure you have the proper electrical converters. Most hotels supply a hair dryer but other appliances must be used with a 230V. converter. Have plenty of these also for phone charging and extras for guests in case they forgot. Note: All power sockets in France provide a standard voltage of 230V with a standard frequency of 50Hz. You can use all your equipment in France if the outlet voltage in your own country is between 220V-240V.
4–5 days before your wedding day:
Don’t miss your flight! Pack your wedding attire, rings and anything else of value in your carry-ons.
You'll want to show up a few days ahead of your guests to adjust to France’s time zone. And greet guests as they arrive and make them travel comfortable. Make sure welcome bags will be delivered to guests' rooms.
The day before your wedding day:
Have your wedding dress or suit steamed to remove any travel-induced wrinkles.
Host the rehearsal and dinner. Now's the time to give out wedding-party gifts.
Try to go to bed early. And relax!
The Day Of…
Allow plenty of time to get ready. And don't forget to bring your wedding rings and marriage license to the ceremony.
Do the rounds at your wedding—greet everyone and thank them for coming.
Take a deep breath. Appreciate your new spouse and enjoy every moment of this day. It will go by so fast!
