Are you searching for the best and most detailed destination wedding packing list? We’ve got you covered! We won’t let you forget any of the important details with this packing list that covers vital documents, toiletries, wedding accessories and more.
This isn’t your average holiday and your destination wedding packing list should be much larger than what you are used to. Keep in mind that you may need to switch a few of these items up depending on the climate and location of your destination wedding – and that if you are going somewhere very cold for your wedding, you will need to augment this list with winter essentials.
A special note before we launch into your destination wedding packaging list:
Numerous tasks await your attention, but you should begin ticking off the important items on your packing list for your destination wedding as early as possible. Doing so will free up valuable mental space to focus on other important matters and significantly reduce stress levels as the big day draws closer.
Also, we suggest you and your partner take your dress and suit for the wedding as carry-on items. It may be beneficial to contact the airline beforehand to inquire about any specific guidelines. There may be somewhere on the aircraft where a flight attendant can safely hang them. Keeping other valuable items, such as your rings and veil, in your carry-on luggage is also a good idea.
The important stuff
- Passports and IDs
- Airplane tickets and boarding passes
- Travel cards, credit cards and wallet
- Mobile phones (with travel sim if necessary)
- Printed copy of hotel reservation confirmation
- Photocopies of any vaccination or prescription documents
- Travel insurance and documents
- Copy of marriage certificate if already legally married at home
- Luggage locks
For the wedding
- Wedding weekend itinerary
- Wedding rings and ring boxes
- Wedding planner binder: bring all copies of vendor contracts, forms and reservation confirmations
- One copy of the invitation for wedding photos
- Vows
- Rehearsal dinner and next day outfits
- Change of wedding shoes for the bride
- Safety pins
- Double sided fashion tape
- Wedding favours
- Guest book
- Additional decor or styling to be brought from home
- Vendor gifts and thank you notes
Bride
- Wedding dress (and veil if you are wearing one)
- Wedding day shoes
- Wedding day jewellery (if you are wearing any)
- Wedding day clutch or evening bag
- Lingerie
- Wedding day hair accessories (combs, headpieces)
- Wedding day emergency kit
- Getting ready attire (robe, pjs, comfortable long shirt)
Groom
- Suit or tuxedo for the wedding
- Tie or bow tie
- Cufflinks
- Wedding day shoes
- Socks
For the trip itself
- Swimsuit
- Beach towel
- Beach bag
- Sunglasses
- Hat/cap
- Sunscreen! SPF 50 or above to avoid any awkward wedding day tan lines
- Insect repellent
- Aloe vera
- Clothes for the rest of your trip (shirts, shorts, dresses, pyjamas, underwear)
- Neck pillow
- Headphones
- Camera and spare memory card
- Mobile phone, iPad, Kindle or any other technology
- Phone and technology chargers
- International travel adapter for the country you will be visiting. Without this, nothing you own will even plug into the wall!
Toiletries and extras
- Perfume and cologne
- Lip balm
- Skin care – cleanse, tone, moisturise, mask- repeat! Don’t bring anything your skin isn’t used to as it could make you break out before the big day.
- Shaving cream
- Aftershave
- Razors
- Nail polish, nail polish remover and emery board
- Makeup, makeup remover and makeup brushes
- Hair straightener/curler/blow dryer
- Hair brush
- Hairspray and other hair products you may need
- Tweezers
- Travel sewing kit
- Deodorant
- Tooth brush and toothpaste
- Feminine hygiene products
- Paracetamol
Important things to do before you leave…
- Make copies of your passports, birth certificates and travel itinerary to leave safe at home
- Let the bank know that you are jetting off
- Get any travel/Visa cards sorted in necessary
- Take out some cash in the foreign currency of your destination to have on hand
- Talk to mobile phone provider about getting an international sim (or come to terms that you’ll be living off wi-fi while you are away. Alternatively, use this as a good excuse to put your phone down and live in the moment. Your destination wedding only happens once!)
- Pay any bills that will arrive while you are away. This will leave you stress free on your destination holiday
Related articles:
Your Guide to Nailing Your Destination Wedding Invitation List