THE JOURNAL

How to Plan a Destination Wedding: Complete Guide

a blog by Lizzy

Planning a destination wedding? This A to Z guide covers budget, legal requirements, venues, travel, timelines, vendor tips, and photo + video must‑knows from a husband and wife team.

Hi! I’m Lizzy, half of a husband and wife photo + video team, Moments With Mae. I believe the best wedding days feel like you, not like a production. My style is natural, organic, and a little wind‑kissed. I’m all about honest moments, minimal posing, and colors that feel like home.

This guide has everything you will need to know for your destination wedding, from the first idea to the last sparkler. Take what helps, skip what doesn’t, and plan a weekend that feels relaxed, beautiful, and true to you.

To-Do List 

1. Define your vision and budget

2. Understand legal vs symbolic ceremonies

3. Choose your destination

4. Pick the right date and season (this effects how the photos will look!)

5. Build your guest list and communication plan

6. Select venue and lodging

7. Hire your vendor team (Me and my husband are ready to cover all of your content needs!)

8. Follow a month‑by‑month planning timeline

9. Tackle travel logistics and insurance

10. Design the weekend itinerary

11. Style, decor, and rentals

12. Food and beverage planning

13. Photography and videography strategy

• My approach is candid and natural: gentle prompts, lots of movement, and space to breathe. I edit with film‑like tones and keep colors organic so your gallery feels timeless years from now. Share your must‑feel moments instead of a long shot list. We'll handle the rest.

• I scout the location to map sun and wind, find quiet corners, and choose short portrait windows so you stay with your people.

• I build in golden‑hour or blue‑hour time without creating big gaps in your party.

• I carry backups for everything and record to multiple cards for media safety.

• If a day‑after session fits your plans, we’ll chase softer light and explore spots you won’t reach on the wedding day.

14. About permits and drones. Some locations require permits or have drone restrictions. I’ll advise on what’s allowed and help file anything needed so we stay respectful and stress‑free.

15. Permits, noise, and local rules. Beaches, national parks, rooftops, and historic sites often require permits and event insurance. Ask about amplified sound cutoffs, open flame rules, and drone restrictions. Your planner or venue coordinator can file paperwork, but build fees and processing time into your schedule.

16. Weather plans and backup strategy. Create a Plan B you actually like. That means a covered ceremony space with natural light, clear umbrellas, and warmers or fans as needed. Track forecasts but avoid hourly stress. Decide decision points in advance, such as moving dinner indoors by noon if winds exceed a set threshold. Communicate once and clearly to vendors and guests.

17. Budget breakdown and savings tips. Book shoulder season dates for lower venue minimums. Choose a weekday for better vendor availability. Keep the guest list focused on your core people to reallocate budget to experiences. Use local flowers in season and a smaller ceremonial cake with a dessert bar. Prioritize photo and video since these are the only investments that grow in value after the day.

18. Packing lists. Attire with backups, garment tape, and extra buttons. Vow books and rings. Travel‑friendly perfume or cologne. Touch‑up kit with blotting papers and lip care. Comfort shoes. Power adapters and chargers. Printed timeline and vendor contacts. Copies of passports, permits, and insurance.

19. Wedding day kit. Mini steamer, lint roller, sewing kit. Clear umbrellas or hand fans by climate. Stain remover and blister care. Hydration, light snacks, and electrolytes. Portable speaker for getting ready.

20. Sustainability and cultural respect. Choose venues with strong waste and water practices. Minimize single‑use plastics. Hire local talent where possible and compensate fairly. Learn simple greetings and customs. If a site is sacred or environmentally sensitive, follow posted guidance and stay on marked paths. Leave the landscape better than you found it.

21. Accessibility and guest wellness. Share terrain notes on your website so guests can bring the right footwear. Provide clear shuttle details and buffer time between events. Offer shaded seating, water stations, and quiet zones for kids or elders. Assign a point person for guest questions so you can stay present.

22. After the wedding: paperwork, galleries, and albums. If your ceremony was symbolic, sign your legal license at home as soon as you return. Back up personal footage and Polaroids. Watch for your highlight film and gallery delivery. Choose favorites quickly while memory is vivid so your album tells the story with true feeling. Plan a relaxed date night to revisit it each year.

We would be honored to photograph and film your day. My husband and I travel for weddings and create custom destination packages with travel included. Tell me your date, destination, and what you want it to feel like, and let's get you married!