How to Plan a Long Distance Wedding

Do you want to get married in your hometown? Or maybe there is another destination that holds special meaning for you both, such as a vacation spot. While many people choose to get married locally, long distance weddings can be a special treat. Though many popular vacation spots such as Jamaica and Disney World have wedding packages, planning your own wedding may be a special experience for everyone involved.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. If you have never been to the place you want to get married, now is the time to go. Plan a trip for at least a week whether you have been there or not. Make sure you research what is needed for a marriage license also.
2. On your trip, look at churches, wedding cakes, and reception halls. You can look at this on the internet before you go. Choose a good wedding planning site such as The Knot to help you with the details. Make sure you take advantage of all the features available, especially the checklist, to help keep you on track.
3. Choose a trusted friend or family member who lives in the area to handle details. Constantly update them on what you are looking for and give them the authority to make decisions on your behalf.
4. At home, you and the groom can choose your wardrobe. Most places will ship or have the items available for you to pick up locally once you arrive. Keep in touch with your local contacts to make sure everything is running smoothly. When you send invitations, make sure you do so in plenty of time if you have a lot of out of town guests.
5. Arrive at least a week early to finalyze plans. By this time you should know how many people are coming, and how much food you need for the reception. Get your friends together for any Bachelor or Bachelorette parties and relax before the big day.

Tips & Warnings

• Visiting at least twice beforehand will help avoid any unplanned snags. You can avoid any unpleasant surprises by making sure you are there for any big decisions.
• Have your honeymoon in a local spot to keep you from being exhausted because of all the travel.
• Don't fret over the really minor details. Let a friend or relative who lives in the area take care of those. If you don't have anyone available, you might want to hire a wedding planner who knows the area.