How to Rock your destination wedding planning checklist

Planning your destination wedding planning checklist is different every time. Every wedding is unique in its own way but there is a step by step process to take you to the wedding of your dreams. Let us take some of the weight off your shoulders with our destination wedding planning checklist.

A – Pick a Wedding Date

What is the best month to get married in Mexico?

You can plan a destination wedding any month in the Mexican Caribbean. Weather is not the only consideration for choosing a date, price and availability also come into play. See our seasonal guide to see which month is best for you, along with tons more wedding planning tips.

Research your destination wedding professionals

A Travel Advisor specialized in destination weddings is a must – they help you find your venue and facilitate the whole process.

Look at lots of real weddings to help you previsualize your day. This will help you choose your wedding photographer, and you’ll likely discover wedding ideas and vendors whose work you love!

Many wedding venues in Mexico have an in-house coordinator to guide you and streamline communication with decor companies, florists, DJs etc. If you choose a villa or other private venue you may need to hire an independent planner.

Pro Tip: Research Vendor Fees at your Wedding Venue

Ask what is the policy for external vendors at your destination wedding venue. Many resorts in Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum will charge a fee for ‘external’ vendors like wedding photographers, hair and makeup or florists. Vendor fees can be up to 1500 USD per vendor, so be sure to ask and read the small print when signing any contract with your venue. Del Sol Travels and Del Sol Photography have exclusive agreements with several resorts in the Mexican Caribbean – contact us for more information!

4 – Determine your guest list

Destination weddings are amazing but often not everyone can make it. Write your dream guest list and work out the family and friends most important to your wedding day. A good rule of thumb is to expect 60% of your guest list to make it.

5 – Book your Wedding Venue and Photographer

If you have the chance to do a site visit and tasting before your wedding day – great! You can also use this opportunity to have an engagement photo shoot with your wedding photographer!

Send your “Save The Date” – you can use your engagement session pictures ;)

Schedule your rehearsal with your venue.

6 – Shopping Time!

Visit your favorite wedding gown stores with your bridesmaids.

Select and order your wedding dress! For ideas, check our Bride’s style Pinterest board and Groom’s style

Discuss the Maid of Honor and bridesmaids duties.

7 – Decor and more

Do you want to have a wedding theme? Discuss ideas with your fiancé and wedding planner. Are you going for a elegant wedding or something barefoot and boho – make sure to set a dress code for guests. You can use a signature color to tie the day together. Accessories for the bridal party from socks to parasols are fun and Mexican wedding decor ideas like papel picado, pinatas and personalized maracas are also favorites. Love candles? Check out the amazing installations from the Candle Boutique

Check what you can bring from home and what your wedding coordinator and venue can provide you with. Don’t forget to ask your maids and your family to help DIY it up!

8 – Consider Logistics

Think about a wedding website to help your guests and share your wedding story!

Research airline and shuttles for you and your Bridal Party. Some hotels offer complimentary transportation to brides and grooms.

Check on your guest list who has booked flights and accommodation already.

9 – Style it out

Go to your first gown fitting with your Maid of Honor

Order bridesmaids dresses and accessories

Research Wedding Ring Styles and order!

Prepare a wedding and reception playlist – make sure you have an online backup!

Check out our collection of Huffington Post top lists for wedding inspiration!

10 – Whoop – you’re halfway there!

Review and finalize wedding details with your hotel / venue planner

Schedule bridesmaids dress fitting

Discuss groomsman, flower girl, and ring bearer attire – remember cute kids make a wedding day magical:)

11 – Review and approve wedding invitations
Discuss your honeymoon and set up a budget

Think about a post-wedding adventure like a Trash the Dress. If you’re up for something on the steamy side consider an Adam and Eve session. Del Sol Photography can even organize a once in a lifetime, custom Photo Adventure tour as part of your honeymoon!

12 – Help the Groom!

Groom and groomsman fittings

Choose or write wedding vows (you can do this on your wedding day if you have the nerve!)

Save your wedding vows on your favorite gadget and send via e mail a copy to Maid of Honer and Best Man

Make honeymoon reservations

13 – Bachelor and Bachelorette

Discuss and plan bachelorette party plans with your Bridal Party and be sure the guys are doing the same.

Book a stylist and makeup artist for your wedding day – ask us for recommendations!

Create hotel information card and maps to include with your invitations.

14 – Almost there!

Mail wedding invitations

Go to your final gown fitting and arrange for pick up

Secure wedding day dressing rooms for you and your bridesmaids and your groom and his groomsman – some resorts can offer you a bridal suite for your getting ready

Final groom’s and groomsman fittings

Purchase wedding favors

15 – Details

Send rehearsal dinner invitations.

Write thank-you notes as you receive wedding gifts alerts.

Confirm music selection.

Come up with a gift for your fiancé! It could be something sweet and homemade, something saucy, or just a lovely note, but something to open before they get to the altar is a special touch. Think about gifts for parents and bridal party too.

16 – Stay on Track!

Confirm floral order and decor

Discuss wedding details with your officiant, probably through your wedding Planner

Determine seating arrangements

finalize honeymoon and transportation details

Schedule pick up and return of groom’s wear if appropriate

Schedule manicure and pedicure for bride and massage and/or sauna for the groom, for the day before your wedding

Post an announcement to confirm your final guest list

17 – Final Headcount

Finalize list of reception guests

Finalize list of rehearsal dinner guests

Call those who haven’t confirmed their flight and/or accommodation bookings

Review final headcount and menu details with your wedding planner

18 – Get Ready to Travel

Pick up your Wedding Dress and Groom’s wear!!

Don’t forget to pack your sunblock! We recommend SPF10000 before your wedding day to avoid any awkward tan lines or even worse, super sunburn!

Make sure your passport and ID are not expired.

19 – Arriving at your Destination

The day before your flight confirm your shuttles from and to the airport for your destination wedding planning checklist!

Check into your hotel and meet with your planner, give a last review to all the details.

Send your getting ready rooms to del Sol Photography

REST!! sleep, enjoy the view, drink a margarita…

Enjoy the beach but don’t forget WEAR SUNBLOCK!

Check the weather…. but don’t freak out if it looks cloudy, we think rain on your wedding day is awesome! When was the last time you saw a rainbow… Rain can make for epic pictures and colorful sunsets.

20 – The Rehearsal

If you are getting married in a church or chapel it’s really important that everybody knows when their entrance is and how they will participate in the ceremony. Your officiant or planner must provide these details and do an actual rehearsal with all of you.

If you are having a beach or cenote ceremony it’s not absolutely necessary that you go to the location for a rehearsal, BUT we strongly recommend that you have a run through to avoid wedding day chaos!

Enjoy the meals you’ve arrange and try to not party too hard!!! It is tempting, but try! Especially if your wedding is the very next day.