Spring 2012 (1 year + to wedding):
Set up account on bestdestinationwedding.com
Pick location
Pick date
Find travel coordinator
Book block of rooms
Book photographer
Book officiant
June 2012 (11 months):
Registry
Wedding budget
July 2012 (10 months):
Find a wedding dress
Buy wedding dress
August 2012 (9 months):
Birth certificates
Find out about travel documents, visas and vaccinations
Tell bridesmaids about their dresses
September 2012 (8 months):
Book catamaran cruise
Research photo shots & talk to photographer
Videographer
Hair/Makeup
October 2012 (7 months):
Book hotel rooms & flights
Notarize copies of birth certificates and passport
Order invitations
Get travel insurance
November 2012 (6 months):
Mail invitations
December 2012 (5 months):
Buy yamukle and glass for breaking
Get our wedding rings
Book a DJ
January 2013 (4 months):
Mail required documents to resort
Start to get dress altered
Look at groomsmen outfits
Buy bikinis
Pick up groomsmen and grooms outfit
Pick up rings
Call people who haven’t RSVPed
February 2013 (3 months):
Plan table decor
Call floral shop
Dress alteration
Order sky lanterns
Attendant’s gifts
Grooms outfit altered
Give out groomsmen outfits
Send final list to resort
March 2013 (2 months):
Organize a slideshow of pictures & order equipment – if want
Plan first dance
Finish ceremony programs
Write welcome letter
Check resort has required documents
Music list
Wedding toasts
Finalize escort cards
Complete welcome bags
Email guests: itinerary, food requests, etc.
Finalize trip schedule including wedding party day of itinerary
Reserve a tent, curtains, dance floor, and lights (beach reception)
April 2013 (1 month):
Pick up any prescriptions or travel stuff need from CVS
Write vows
Call credit cards
Make photo copies of credit cards and passports
Choose all music
Make thank you cards for family
Pick up dress
Email photographer: final payment, itinerary, confirmation, list of shots want
Pay photographer
Email videographer: confirmation, itinerary
Email DJ: confirmation, payment, music list
Pay DJ
Email officiant: confirmation, itinerary, payment
Email Makeup/Hair: confirmation, itinerary
Email florist: confirmation, itinerary
Email tent vendor: confirmation, itinerary
Email resort with finalized list
May 2013 (THE MONTH):
WEDDING
Check insurance policies, health benefits, etc.
Sell extra stuff on BDW
Finish honeymoon plans
June 2013 (-1 month):
July 2013 (-2 months):
Wedding photo book for self and family
Check on wedding certificate
August 2013 (-3 months):
Make an appointment at travel clinic for honeymoon prep
September 2013 (-4 months):
October 2013 (-5 months):
November 2013 (-6 months):
HONEYMOON!
December 2013 (-7 months):
Start name change –> New passport, driver’s license, SS card, etc.
Note: Over the next few months, I will be posting some helpful tips and information that can hopefully help brides planning destination and U.S. weddings. I will also post this information on http://courtneymara.com/wedding/. If you have any questions, suggestions, or tips, please send them my way by emailing MsCourtneyMara@gmail.com or posting in the comments section.