Home > Tips > Destination wedding timeline: how to plan ahead

Destination wedding timeline: how to plan ahead

When looking for your wedding planner in Tuscany, you could probably use a wedding timeline. What is the right time to contact the experts? How and when to send invites to the guests? How much notice will vendors need? Whenever you plan something in another part of the world, you might be confused about how it works. Here is your definitive destination wedding timeline, in order to get everything under control from the start.

Destination wedding timeline: how to plan ahead

When looking for your wedding planner in Tuscany, you could probably use a wedding timeline. What is the right time to contact the experts? How and when to send invites to the guests? How much notice will vendors need? Whenever you plan something in another part of the world, you might be confused about how it works. Here is your definitive destination wedding timeline, in order to get everything under control from the start.

Wedding planning timeline: when to start

You and your loved one have decided to tie the knot. Whether there has been a great, romantic proposal or you have made a mutual decision, this is the right time to start planning. Yes, right now. First of all, set a possible date for your big day. Usually, couples start planning 12-16 months in advance, but you can always try and accelerate the process if you want to meet a particular date. For instance, you may want to align your wedding with a milestone anniversary or another special date for both of you. Regardless, you should decide as soon as possible whether you want a destination wedding in Italy. The timeline for a destination wedding requires more planning than you might expect, so be sure to have the right team of professionals by your side. This is also the time to allocate a budget to the grand event and start browsing locations and wedding planners.

9-12 months to go

The timeline for a destination wedding requires some more planning that you could expect, so be sure to have the right team of professionals at your side. Also choose the people in your wedding party: bridesmaids, groomsmen, and officiants will be by your side throughout the entire process. If you are unsure about the type of ceremony, this is the time to think about it. A religious ceremony, a simple yet meaningful symbolic wedding, or a mixture of different traditions and cultures will require completely different destination wedding timelines. So be sure to choose carefully. 9 months to a year in advance is the right moment to plan any other events related to the wedding: welcome parties, bachelor and bachelorette, family weekends can be planned in advance to ensure everything goes smoothly.

Destination wedding planning timeline: what to do 6 months prior to the wedding day

Now is the time to let people know you are getting married! By this time you should have the locations for the ceremony and reception booked. Let everyone know about dates and times as accurately as possible, so that people travelling for your destination wedding can plan accordingly. Start planning the accommodation and transfer for your guests, too. You will receive the first RSVPs and have a sense of how many people will attend the wedding day. Decide with your future spouse and anyone else involved in financial matters whether you will cover your guests’ expenses. Even if they are paying for their own accommodation, you can set up a wedding website to collect advice and hospitality places for them. Six months before the event is also the right time to discuss details with your wedding planner. Will you need day-of wedding coordination? Have you already chosen each vendor? Have you booked your own flight and stay in Tuscany?

Timeline for destination wedding shopping

The 6-months-to-the-big-day time is also time for shopping! Wedding gowns, tuxedoes and bridesmaid dresses should be chosen and booked around this time. This way you will have plenty of time to make alterations or change something about your appearance and that of your wedding party. Don’t forget to schedule dress fittings for the happy couple and any other important guests! If you plan to make an engagement photo shoot, this could be the right moment for that too. Start sketching the reception menu and send those invitations: you will need details on how many people will be there and which dietary restrictions they have sooner rather than later. If you’d like to set up a wedding registry, be sure it is ready when official invitations go out.

3 to 1 month before your big day

The wedding day is coming closer: do you have everything you need? Confirm wedding planner, vendors and locations if you haven’t already. Create a list of legal documents (including passports and vaccination documents if needed). Check your guests’ RSVPs and ask those who haven’t responded. Then provide an estimated guest count and dietary restrictions to the restaurant or wedding venue. Start purchasing gifts for your wedding party and arranging wedding favors, whether professionally made or DIY. When you are just 5-4 weeks to the big day, plan the last fittings and send everything you can’t bring yourself to the wedding planner. Welcome bags, wedding favors, shoes and accessories can be directly shipped to the location or the wedding professional who will make sure that everything arrives safely. It’s time for you to start packing your luggage!

Destination wedding planning timeline: the final rush

You are getting married in one or two weeks. Don’t panic. Everything is in good hands if you followed the destination wedding planning timeline correctly. Now go pick up the wedding gown and tuxedo, pack your bags and your wedding emergencies kit. Check your flight number and luggage restrictions. Also, try to understand the payment methods and tipping culture of the destination country, in order not to be confused when the checks come. Book a manicure, pedicure, facial, makeup session, and hair appointment. Relax, look your loved one in the eyes and take your flight. You are ready to go get married!

Wedding planning timeline: when to start

You and your loved one have decided to tie the knot. Whether there has been a great, romantic proposal or you have made a mutual decision, this is the right time to start planning. Yes, right now. First of all, set a possible date for your big day. Usually, couples start planning 12-16 months in advance, but you can always try and accelerate the process if you want to meet a particular date. For instance, you may want to align your wedding with a milestone anniversary or another special date for both of you. Regardless, you should decide as soon as possible whether you want a destination wedding in Italy. The timeline for a destination wedding requires more planning than you might expect, so be sure to have the right team of professionals by your side. This is also the time to allocate a budget to the grand event and start browsing locations and wedding planners.

9-12 months to go

The timeline for a destination wedding requires some more planning that you could expect, so be sure to have the right team of professionals at your side. Also choose the people in your wedding party: bridesmaids, groomsmen, and officiants will be by your side throughout the entire process. If you are unsure about the type of ceremony, this is the time to think about it. A religious ceremony, a simple yet meaningful symbolic wedding, or a mixture of different traditions and cultures will require completely different destination wedding timelines. So be sure to choose carefully. 9 months to a year in advance is the right moment to plan any other events related to the wedding: welcome parties, bachelor and bachelorette, family weekends can be planned in advance to ensure everything goes smoothly.

Destination wedding planning timeline: what to do 6 months prior to the wedding day

Now is the time to let people know you are getting married! By this time you should have the locations for the ceremony and reception booked. Let everyone know about dates and times as accurately as possible, so that people travelling for your destination wedding can plan accordingly. Start planning the accommodation and transfer for your guests, too. You will receive the first RSVPs and have a sense of how many people will attend the wedding day. Decide with your future spouse and anyone else involved in financial matters whether you will cover your guests’ expenses. Even if they are paying for their own accommodation, you can set up a wedding website to collect advice and hospitality places for them. Six months before the event is also the right time to discuss details with your wedding planner. Will you need day-of wedding coordination? Have you already chosen each vendor? Have you booked your own flight and stay in Tuscany?

Timeline for destination wedding shopping

The 6-months-to-the-big-day time is also time for shopping! Wedding gowns, tuxedoes and bridesmaid dresses should be chosen and booked around this time. This way you will have plenty of time to make alterations or change something about your appearance and that of your wedding party. Don’t forget to schedule dress fittings for the happy couple and any other important guests! If you plan to make an engagement photo shoot, this could be the right moment for that too. Start sketching the reception menu and send those invitations: you will need details on how many people will be there and which dietary restrictions they have sooner rather than later. If you’d like to set up a wedding registry, be sure it is ready when official invitations go out.

3 to 1 month before your big day

The wedding day is coming closer: do you have everything you need? Confirm wedding planner, vendors and locations if you haven’t already. Create a list of legal documents (including passports and vaccination documents if needed). Check your guests’ RSVPs and ask those who haven’t responded. Then provide an estimated guest count and dietary restrictions to the restaurant or wedding venue. Start purchasing gifts for your wedding party and arranging wedding favors, whether professionally made or DIY. When you are just 5-4 weeks to the big day, plan the last fittings and send everything you can’t bring yourself to the wedding planner. Welcome bags, wedding favors, shoes and accessories can be directly shipped to the location or the wedding professional who will make sure that everything arrives safely. It’s time for you to start packing your luggage!

Destination wedding planning timeline: the final rush

You are getting married in one or two weeks. Don’t panic. Everything is in good hands if you followed the destination wedding planning timeline correctly. Now go pick up the wedding gown and tuxedo, pack your bags and your wedding emergencies kit. Check your flight number and luggage restrictions. Also, try to understand the payment methods and tipping culture of the destination country, in order not to be confused when the checks come. Book a manicure, pedicure, facial, makeup session, and hair appointment. Relax, look your loved one in the eyes and take your flight. You are ready to go get married!

Ask us a consulting

Because the day of your wedding has to be characterized by absolute perfection, refinement and attention to every detail.

Contact us and find out what we will be able to create for you.

Contact us

Ask us a consulting

Because the day of your wedding has to be characterized by absolute perfection, refinement and attention to every detail.

Contact us and find out what we will be able to create for you.

Contact us

Read more

See all

What is day-of wedding coordination?

What is day-of wedding coordination? You may think it’s the same as hiring a wedding planner, but it’s a different service. Discover it here!

Read more

Wedding planner in Tuscany: why you should have it

Elevate your wedding experience with a wedding planner in Tuscany who makes a difference. Contact us for your special day!

Read more

Wedding trends 2025: everything you need to know!

Are you getting married next year and looking for new trends? Read the article and find out about the most beautiful 2025 wedding trends.

Read more

Read more

See all

What is day-of wedding coordination?

What is day-of wedding coordination? You may think it’s the same as hiring a wedding planner, but it’s a different service. Discover it here!

Read more

Wedding planner in Tuscany: why you should have it

Elevate your wedding experience with a wedding planner in Tuscany who makes a difference. Contact us for your special day!

Read more

Wedding trends 2025: everything you need to know!

Are you getting married next year and looking for new trends? Read the article and find out about the most beautiful 2025 wedding trends.

Read more