Are you planning a wedding in the Caribbean? The Caribbean Destination Wedding Checklist will help you get everything that you need well in advance of your wedding event.
Planning a wedding takes a lot of work. An overseas wedding requires another level of readiness and it means that you have to be organised and prepared for everything. If you’re getting married in the Caribbean, there is no reason why you cannot have a stress-free wedding. If your budget has been set and you know exactly what you want, then you can start planning. You may have to hire a wedding planner to assist with arrangements in the destination.
Caribbean destination weddings are very similar to local weddings. They require coordination of wedding locations, wedding attire, reception locations, timing of the wedding, announcements and stationery, caterers, photographers and of course, ensuring that your guests have somewhere to stay. The Caribbean Destination Wedding Checklist aims to make sure that you cross these items off your to-do list, long before you set foot on your plane to the Caribbean.
Caribbean Destination Wedding Checklist
The challenge with many existing destination wedding checklists is that they often assume that you have a lot more than 12 months to the wedding day. However, some couples may decide to get married as soon as possible, thus giving them very little time to get all of their wedding details in order. The Caribbean Destination Wedding Checklist below outlines all of the items that should be on your to destination wedding to-do list.
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- Celebrate your engagement
- Choose a Caribbean destination for your wedding
- Create a wedding budget
- Research wedding requirements
- Look for a wedding venue
- Research destination wedding packages
- Hire a destination wedding planner
- Select a date for the wedding
- Select your wedding party
- Compile a tentative guest list
- Decide on the type of ceremony
- Review vendors
- Create a gift registry
- Finalise the guest list
- Send out wedding invitations
- Purchase your wedding attire
- Purchase wedding rings
- Confirm details with the wedding planner
- Book your vendors and pay deposits
- Plan activities for guests
- Purchase your airline tickets
- Book your hotel accommodation
- Book wedding day services
- Create wedding vows
- Get married
Celebrate Your Engagement
Getting engaged is an exciting moment that signals a change in your life. Many couples choose to celebrate this moment with photo sessions, engagement parties, and engagement announcements.
Choose a Caribbean Destination for your Wedding
Deciding where you want to get married involves many factors. The time you get married may be impacted be seasonally high or low fares and accommodation. For example, you should consider seasonal weather (e.g. Atlantic hurricane season); and destination holiday seasons (e.g. Crop Over in Barbados).
Create a Wedding Budget
The amount of money that you have to spend will dictate the type of wedding that you will have. When creating your budget, make a note of all of your potential expenses and the amount of money that you can allocate to the entire wedding.
Research Wedding Requirements
Marriage requirements vary throughout the Caribbean. It is important that you research marriage licenses, residency requirements, medical testing and any other stipulations that are required for marriages.
Look for a Wedding Venue
Finding the perfect wedding venue in the Caribbean depends on the type of setting you want for your big day. There are several types of wedding venues in the Caribbean which include beaches, historic churches, hotels and resorts, historic sites, restaurants, tropical gardens, boats, and the courthouse.
Research Destination Wedding Packages
Many resorts in the Caribbean provide Caribbean destination wedding packages. These packages usually include everything that you need for your wedding. Depending on where you choose to get married, packages may include the services of a dedicated wedding planner.
Hire a Destination Wedding Planner
If you are planning a destination wedding on your own, you should think about hiring a wedding planner to assist with you pre and post wedding activities. The wedding planner can will help you to coordinate all of the pre-wedding activities, so that you do not feel too flustered in the time leading up to the wedding.
Select a Date for the Wedding
When you select a tentative date for the wedding, you have to consult with the wedding venue to confirm that it is available. Selecting a date as early as possible means that you will have a bit more time to finalise everything on your list.
Select your Wedding Party
Spare a few moments and decide who you want in your wedding party. Close friends and family will be on the top of this list. By asking them early in your wedding planning process gives everyone enough time to learn about their role in the wedding.
Compile a Tentative Guest List
By compiling a rough guest list, you will have an idea of how many people will be attending and the potential costs. It will also allow you see if your potential venue can accommodate your guests.
Decide on the Type of Ceremony
There are many types of wedding ceremonies that you can choose for your wedding. Examples include religious ceremonies; inter-faith ceremonies; civil ceremonies; non-denominational ceremonies; multi-cultural ceremonies; and spiritual ceremonies.
Review Vendors
If you are working with a wedding planner, they will have a list of vendors that provide services you may need for your wedding. You should look into florists, caterers, entertainment, bakers, photographers, videographers, hair stylists, makeup artists and decorators.
Create a Gift Registry
Creating a gift registry for a Caribbean destination wedding is up to you. You may decide to forego the gift list, request cash or ask for donations to a special cause. Alternatively, some couples also decide not to have a guest registry and are content with their guests participating in the wedding ceremony.
