Plan Your Escape: Destination Wedding Help

Maybe "escape" is the wrong word. How about relaxing vacation? If you're looking to avoid the traditional hometown nuptials, we've got the basics to get you started.

Your Marriage License Outside the US

Mistakes in paperwork or missed deadlines could cause you to miss your wedding when you're trying to plan your nuptials in another country. Go over all your legal details early and account for processing time.

For help in attaining your marriage license and proper paperwork, contact the country's consulate, the tourism bureau, or the US embassy for that country.
Make sure you have explicit explanations of residential requirements.
Ask for a list of the required medical tests, proof of divorce, the number of witnesses needed, and the requirements for a religious ceremony, should you want one.
Ask for the paperwork processing time, and add two weeks, just in case something goes wrong.

Marriage Licenses Inside the US

Each state and county has its own set of marriage standards and requirements. Be sure you know them well in advance before you arrive, ready to wed.

Call the county's marriage license bureau and ask about birth certificates, proofs of divorce, and health tests.
Be sure you're in the county you're going to be married in time for the deadline. Some states require you apply for your marriage license 24 or 48 hours in advance.
Ask for approximate processing times and deadlines.

The Basics

If you're planning on doing everything yourself, you will want to visit your dreamy destination before you get there. Many cruise ships and beach resorts have pre-planned packages just waiting for you to snatch them up.

What kind of wedding will it be? Will you plan it yourself, or will a cruise director or in-house wedding planner take care of everything?
Choose what parts of a "traditional" wedding you'd like to include in your day. Cake? Professional photos? A video? A catered dinner?
Are you really saving money by getting away from it all? Check your budget to be sure you're within your limits.
A fifty guest maximum is recommended when you're going somewhere exotic or far from home. It's easier to keep track of a smaller number of people, although you can get great group rates.
Choose your season wisely, especially in tropical or mountainous areas. Hurricanes, snowstorms, and other storms have "seasons", so know your climate before you make plans.
Find an officiant if your package doesn't include one. Be sure to discuss ceremonies - whether you'd like to create your own ceremony or not.
Find the best deals for group travel, and group hotel or bed and breakfast rates. Many airlines have special deals for families traveling to weddings, as do hotels.
When you solidify all your vendors, the wedding package, or your consultant, be sure you get all the details in writing, including all fees, taxes, and surcharges.
Ask your wedding planner to provide you with an estimated cost for your entire wedding.

The Details

What are you wearing, and how is it traveling? A 30-pound beaded gown may not be the best choice if you're flying to New Zealand, for example. Find out a local tailor and drycleaner for last-minute touch-ups and alterations.
Plan ahead for shipping accessories and other neccessities to be sure they arrive in time. Ask yourself how necessary they will be.
You might want to find out how many weddings are occurring on your site the same day as yours.
Ask your coordinator, embassy, or license bureau how and when you will receive your marriage license.
Determine from local authorities or your coordinator how many days in advance you and your beloved should arrive.
Consider sending "Save The Date" cards to your invited guests 2-3 months in advance, so they have plenty of time to make travel plans.

When You Get Home

Either before you leave, or after, your family and friends may want to throw you a shower, which is perfectly understandable and acceptable, even though you didn't invite them to the wedding.
You may want to have a "real" reception or party with your family and friends who couldn't be at the wedding. It could either be formal or very casual - just remember to bring the pictures or the video for everyone to see!
If you decided not to invite everyone you would have wanted to had your wedding been at home, you might consider sending a wedding announcement instead.
Contact your license bureau to make sure your wedding license is signed and on its way.

Wedding Gazette