If 2022 was the year of many weddings (and it was), Destination Wedding Planner Congress says 2023 is the year of the destination wedding. This year, expect weddings in both domestic and exotic locations. Some may be over the top in extravagance, and some may be curated wedding trips, but all will be full of love, fun, and celebration.

If you’re planning a destination wedding, you’ve come to the right place. Read on for our destination wedding tip packing list.

Location, location, location

When creating your destination wedding packing list, the first thing that should go in your suitcase is the destination. Some couples may select a location that is special to their relationship, while others may pick a destination they’ve always wanted to travel to. No matter which location you pick, here are a couple of things to keep in mind:

• Seasonality
• Weather
• Accessibility

What are the trendiest locations right now?

• Beachside
• Desert
• Offbeat venues

Embrace and celebrate local culture

Recently, Sophia Bush and Grant Hughes were married in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Neither is from Oklahoma, but they were drawn to the story of the Tulsa Race Massacre and wanted to celebrate the town and share the story with their guests. The Knot wedding experts remind couples that they selected their destination wedding location for a reason and should celebrate the culture of the location and share its uniqueness with their guests. The trick here is to celebrate a culture rather than appropriate it. The Knot suggests hiring a professional local from your destination to help you with these special details.

It’s all about the guests

From the moment you send out invitations to your destination wedding, it’s important to keep guests at the top of your packing list.

• Communication: make sure you keep in constant contact with your guests. Like you, they’ll likely have lots of questions about travel arrangements, and destination details. The Knot suggests creating a wedding website to provide your guests with all of the information they will need.
• Guest-centered events: If you read our 2023 wedding trend list, you know this is the year of the wedding party. That trend is no different for destination weddings. Consider morning yoga sessions, personalized wedding guest gifts, and personalized travel itineraries. Wedding expert Eric Sugiono (Founder of Poetyque Events in Indonesia) says “when you expand the celebration beyond the wedding ceremony and wedding reception, you give yourself some breathing room to spend more than five hours of meaningful time with guests so you can create memories that truly last a lifetime. Elevating the guest experience is important. Everyone from your family members to your wedding party and other friends has come to a unique destination to celebrate the love you and your partner share, so give back to them a little by making the entire experience truly memorable.”

If you’re looking for a unique way to capture your guests, consider confessional video booths where they can leave you video messages, or 360 photo booths.

And one last guest tip – the micro wedding is still as popular today as it was in 2020. Don’t think that just because you’re planning a big trip means you must take everyone you know. Feel free to keep the guest list intimate.

Make it a trip to remember

As you’re creating your destination wedding packing list, don’t forget that destination weddings are often much more than just a ceremony. Make your journey as memorable as possible by planning events and celebrations throughout the trip.

Other wedding weekend events:

• Welcome parties
• Culinary tours of the destination
• Theme parties
• Spa dates
• Exercise classes
• Golf outings
• Hiking

Tip: Wedding planner Aimee Monihan says “Don’t over plan the days. Remember that this is as well a vacation for your guests. Allow them to relax and be a tourist as much as they are a wedding guest. It will free up relaxing time for you as well.”

Don’t be afraid to ask for help

Your wedding is a monumental occasion and planning a destination wedding adds another layer of fun and complication. Don’t be afraid to ask for help! Hire a wedding planner in your destination (thank goodness for the popularity of Zoom meetings), get a killer travel agent, talk to locals and professional travelers, hire expert vendors, and ask friends and family for help.

• Travel Agent Recommendation: Wilcox Travel
• Travel Blogger: Lesley Murphy (The Road Les Traveled / Limitles Travel)
• Travel Group: Girls Love Travel

Finally, take time to soak it all in

Wedding experts remind us that even a destination wedding is still a wedding. It’s your big day, your celebration. Make sure you take time during the trip to soak in the beauty of the moment.

As you’re creating your destination wedding packing list, don’t forget to add us to your suitcase.

And if you’re looking for the perfect bridal luggage, we love these monogram options from Mark and Graham.