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Below is a timeline to help your wedding planning go smoothly. You can adjust it to suit your needs. 12 Months or more Cut out pictures and articles that inspire you. Keep them organized in a binder. Martha Stewart has a great binder that has pockets to keep photos, cards of vendors, swatches, etc. Start looking at bridal magazines and look for local bridal faire to attent. This is a great way to meet wedding vendors and see their work first hand This is the hard part. Set a realistic budget. Start on your guest list. Invite those that you want to spend your wedding with. Destination weddings are smaller more intimate affairs so do not feel guilty about not inviting your coworkers that you barely know. Be prepared that some of the guests you invite at the wedding may not be able to come for financial or logistical reasons. If you plan on getting married out of the country, be sure to check the laws to make sure your marriage is recognized in the states. If it is a larger wedding, you may want to look into hiring a wedding coordinator who specializes in destination weddings. Start researching different locations for a destination wedding. Things to consider: travel time, seasons/weather (you do not want to have your wedding during hurricane season), cost of accomodations, etc. Choose a wedding date and start working on Save The Date Cards. If you are planning a wedding at a resort or place you have never been before, negotiate a site visit. Some resorts even offer a free site visit or at least a reduced rate. Determine your budget Considerations: airfare, hotel, document processing, meals, transportation, activities. Don't forget the all important wedding items such as attire, photographer, flowers, ceremony fee, etc. If you are having friends or family, you must consider if they can afford the expense of the trip. Location Make sure the wedding day is not during the local hurricane season or wet months? How many people do you want to be there...just you and your future spouse? Friends? Family? Are you also planning on honeymooning there or somewhere else? 8-10 months prior If you can make a wedding planning trip it will be really helpful to meet with local vendors like: florist, baker, photographer, etc. During the site visit would also be a great time to take your chosen photographer for a test run. Maybe take some engagement pics on the beach for your Save The Date Cards. Create wedding website with travel information and FAQs for your family and friends. Contact a travel agent specializing in Destination Wedding to help negotiate a lower room rate and block your rooms. Decide if you wnt a legal or symbolic ceremony. If you would like to get legally married outside the US, be sure to verify the local marriage residency requirements. Start looking for wedding invitations. Research the marriage requirements It may be as simple as going to the local courthouse to sign a marriage license, or it may be as complicated as having to be a resident. There are destination wedding coordinators who will handle the entire license processing for you. If you are planning on having a legal ceremony in Mexico, it does require a blood test. Wedding Theme You may want to decide early on what colors or theme you would like. Make sure the bouquet you dreamed of will work at your destination wedding. A lot of flowers can be shipped in if not grown locally but make sure in advance. Reservations Book your reservations early! Many resorts and hotels are booked months in advance, especially during peak travel seasons. If your group is larger, you may want to consider blocking rooms for your guests. 6-7 Months prior Start looking for your wedding dress. Some dresses can take 4-5 months to make. Start looking for the groom and groomsman attire. Order groom and groomsmen attire. Take into consideration that linen suits are seasonal and may only be available to purchase in the spring. Shop for wedding rings and jewelry for your big day. 3-4 Months prior Finalize your wedding invitations and mail them out. Start ordering items for Out Of Town Bags or wedding favors. Start working on your wedding ceremony. Consider writing your own vows to make the day more personalized. 1 Month prior Release any unnecessary rooms Finalize all wedding day itineraries Confirm travel arrangements with the hotel/resort 2-3 Weeks prior Make sure you confirm and re-confirm EVERYTHING with your vendors before the wedding 3-4 Days prior Arrive at your destination. If you plan on using a local styilist for your hair and make-up, do a test run with your veil or hairpiece. If you are having a legal ceremony finalize all the local requirements to make it legitimate. Meet with the hotel events coordinator or your wedding coordinator to go over the final details. Have a welcome dinner in lieu of a rehearsel dinner to thank all your guests who have travelled so far to share this event with you. Relax, you're Contact a travel agent specializing in Destination Wedding to help negotiate a lower room rate and block your rooms. on vacation! Residency requirements Once you arrive at your destination, how many days do you have to wait in order to get married? The day of Be sure to eat a bit and keep hydrated. Enjoy your special day. You deserve every bit of happiness that comes with it!

With Halloween creeping up on us like the stealthy black cat that it is, we are reminded that the holidays are upon us, sneaking in those pesky extra calories with them. Not only does Halloween mean candy galore; Thanksgiving then rolls around with rich foods; December is a fun-filled party season jam-packed with delicacies; and when you think you can't take it anymore the champagne toasts on New Year's Eve hit us like a ton of bricks. But a girl just wants to have fun! So in that vein, we’re offerings tips for how to partake in the festivities while still being able to fit into your wedding dress on the big day! #1 Fill up before heading out. Just like you’ve heard of not going to the grocery store hungry, do not go to a party on an empty stomach. This is probably the single most important rule. You may be tempted to save up your calories so you can get your binge on at the party, but if you arrive ravenous, you’re more likely to make bad choices. Down a healthy snack before leaving. #2 Imbibe wisely. Sure, we want all to have a good time, but alcohol is filled with empty calories. Have a drink or two with the revelers but make sure to have water between drinks. A club soda with lime looks and feels fancy. Plus, your head will thank you in the morning. Also consider that cocktails made with fruit juice or full-calorie sodas are sugar laden. Opt for a simple white wine or vodka with diet tonic instead. #3 Lap the buffet. Make sure to take quick inventory of what the party host is offering before filling your plate — it might get too full before you make your way to your favorites. You might as well save room on your plate, and your belly, for the foods you’re craving. This is also a great opportunity to gather ideas for what you may want to serve at your wedding. #4 Every move counts. While this time of year can keep us busy, still aim to drag yourself to the gym at least a couple times per week. But if that gets too difficult, throwing in any extra movement will help burn the calories. Opt for taking the stairs, parking farther from the entrance, and getting outside whenever possible for a quick burst of fresh air and a brisk walk. Even if it’s just 5 extra minutes of walking, your body and sanity will reap the benefits. #5 Rest. Don’t save all of your rest for the honeymoon! The holidays can be stressful, but be sure to save time in your hectic schedule for some relaxation. Numerous studies have proven that a well-rested body burns calories more efficiently. And on the flip side, too much stress can cause weight gain. Most importantly, be merry this holiday season while staying guilt free! Hopefully these tips will help you make smart choices so you can be part of the festivities and not have to make an extra visit to the seamstress! Tis the season! Did I miss anything? We’d love to hear how you keep the winter weight gain at bay.