1. Remember that things are not the same in other countries. For instance, in the US and Canada, rental shops abound. Renting a tuxedo or even the shoes is considered mainstream wedding activity in North America, but this is not the case in many parts of the world. In an effort to travel light, some might think it is easier to get the wedding day attire locally where the wedding will be held. BIG mistake! Take your wedding attire with you.

2. Prepare a to-do list well in advance and duties that are expected of the groom, the best man and the attendants should be organized and checked upon regularly. Unlike a local wedding where others can pitch in or problems can be solved rather quickly, small hills become large mountains elsewhere. Do not assume that everyone has done what is required and that they have packed all the essentials.

3. Unlike a wedding at home where the groom parties with his buddies the night before, the couple should discuss what they will be doing while at the destination wedding location. Not only is it insensitive to the guests but also the bride may be unhappy with him partying while they only have a short time on location. The time might be better spent together.

1. Use postcards from the location or country. If you have visited the location or you have family living in the country where you will be married, it would keep within your theme, if you used local postcards.
2. Wedding stamps are another nice idea on Save the Date Cards and envelopes when used. If your local post office does not sell wedding related postage stamps, there are many retailers both online and offline who have large selections from which to choose. When purchased from a store other than the post office, they will not be considered legal stamps for mailing but they will make the cards or envelopes look quite pretty.
3. Choose cards that reflect your personality. If both the bride and groom love dogs for example, it would be acceptable to send a card with pictures of bride and groom dogs. If you are the more serious type, fancy cards with lace or ribbons and outside envelopes may suit you better.
4. For creative couples, buy blank cards from the dollar store and use your own stencils, artwork and any other drawings that make your cards unique and completely personal.
5. Couples that prefer to hold an eco wedding may purchase cards made of rice or recycled paper. Another idea is to use handmade cards from impoverished regions.

Like a traditional wedding at home, couples planning a destination wedding should have their budget spelled out in a spreadsheet. Decide how much should be spent as a total and then divide components of the wedding event into separate sections for pricing. And to keep the costs in perspective, here are a few tips that you might undertake.

1. Book airline tickets enough in advance so that you might benefit from seasonal pricing or other specials. Volume pricing may be available as well if everyone can travel on the same flight.
2. When booking hotel accommodations, inquire about specials for the honeymoon suite. Some hotels provide discounts for the couple if a specific number of rooms are reserved. Others even offer free accommodations to the bride and groom.
3. Ask about free wedding ceremonies. Cruise ships often offer free weddings when certain packages are purchased.
4. Be careful about using credit cards while on location and purchasing from the heart. The final bill will add up very quickly if you do not stick to your original budget.
5. Order local food items and specialties. If you want your destination wedding to be truly indicative of the area, then order wines, fruits, vegetables and other food products from the locale. This is usually considerably less expensive than ordering items that must be imported.

Wrong…

One of the reasons for a destination wedding for some couples is to relieve the stress of the big day and its planning. So why make packing more cumbersome than necessary? There are many items that can be left behind and ways to pack your suitcases without creating a nightmare. So let us look at seven quick points to help the happy couple.

1. Tactfully ask guests to leave wedding presents behind. You may request “no gifts” since the attendance of the guests may be your gift.
2. Dispense with any personalized wedding items such as the cake serving utensils. The hotel’s set will do just nicely.
3. Think hard when purchasing the wedding dress. Try to find something light that travels well.
4. Purchase wedding favors from local shops and artisans. Do not bring them from home.
5. Itemize well in advance. By listing everything that you should take including makeup, clothing, shoes and any other necessities, when you pack your suitcase, if you only add the items on the list, you will not be tempted to take more than you require.
6. Choose items that are not exclusive for the wedding day but can be used throughout the trip. For example, a new purse or new lingerie.
7. Stay within airline limits so that you are not forced to pay extra or leave anything behind in a moment’s notice.