How to Plan a Long-Distance Wedding

As if organizing a wedding weren't stressful enough, now you're trying to do it from afar. Fret not, it's doable - it's just a little trickier.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Wedding Planner Book
• Airline Tickets
• Telephone Calling Cards

1. Choose a location and date as soon as possible. This will make all of the other planning easier.
2. Check with the city regarding marriage requirements. Residency requirements and waiting periods can put a screeching halt to your plans if you don't know about them soon enough.
3. Plan your visits to the site of the wedding carefully. Hit as many places on your to-do list as possible whenever you're in town.
4. Leave yourself plenty of time to travel and plan. You'll need to check some things out in person (caterer, reception location, salon where you'll have your hair done).
5. Think about hiring a local wedding consultant who can take care of the details for you. She'll be much more familiar with what services and people are available and can help keep your stress level under control.
6. Delegate if you can't afford a consultant. If people ask whether they can help, put them to work. Have each bridesmaid cover a different project: caterer, DJ, florist, etc.
7. Arrange your attendants' attire though a large retail chain, if possible. Then you won't have to mail shoes and dresses.
8. Reserve a block of rooms at a hotel for your out-of-town guests. Make sure the hotel has an inexpensive or complimentary shuttle service.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider holding two small receptions - one in your wedding city and one at home. That will save your guests from having to travel so far and will save you from having to transport all the gifts.
• Leave room in your budget for travel and long-distance phone charges.