Destination Wedding Timelines/To Do Lists

 I thought it could be helpful to start a destination wedding timeline/to do list forum.  I found one where someone posted a destination wedding book's suggested timeline, but it doesn't seem to work for me.  So, I thought I would share my timeline thus far in case it could help others.  And, if you have a suggestion or if you would like to share yours, please do!

Our Destination Wedding Timeline:

Spring 2011 (1 year + to wedding):

Set up account on bestdestinationwedding.com

Pick location

Pick date

Find travel coordinator

Book block of rooms

Book photographer

Book officiant

June 2011 (11 months):

Registry

Wedding budget

July 2011 (10 months):

Find a wedding dress

Buy wedding dress

August 2011 (9 months):

Birth certificates

Find out about travel documents, visas and vaccinations

Tell bridesmaids about their dresses

September 2011 (8 months):

Invitations

Book hotel rooms & flights

Get travel insurance

Buy wedding ring for Courtney

Research photo shots & talk to photographer

Videographer

Hair/Makeup

October 2011 (7 months):

Plan first dance

Look at groomsmen outfits

Get corset made

November 2011 (6 months):

Mail invitations

December 2011 (5 months):

Guestbook

Notarized copies of birth certificate and passports

Table decor

Choose ceremony readings

Get Matt's ring

Plan rehearsal dinner

January 2012 (4 months):

Attendant's gifts

Call resort about music

Floral shop - think about flowers

Call officiant

Research honeymoon

Mail required documents to resort

Submit wedding announcement to newspaper

Figure out name change stuff

Get dress altered

February 2012 (3 months): 

Create place cards

Bridal party outfits reminder

Look into cakes

Check resort has required documents

Ceremony programs

Pick up Moms' gifts

Call ppl who haven't rsvped

Reception seating plan

March 2012 (2 months):

Complete welcome bags

Figure out reception venue & food options

Must play and do not play song list

Finalize trip schedule (including day of)

Email bridal party trip schedule

Wedding toasts

Second payment to photographer

April 2012 (1 month):

Write vows

Change insurance policies and beneficiaries

Give resort final head count

Give seat chart to resort

Confirm play list with DJ

Figure out payment plan with family

Write welcome letter for welcome bags

Plan welcome cocktails

May 2012 (THE MONTH):

WEDDING

June 2012 (-1 month):

Thank you notes

July 2012 (-2 months):

Wedding photo book

August 2012 (-3 months):

Check on wedding certificate

HAPPY PLANNING!!

 I just realized I messed up the years.  Please see the corrected calendar:

Our Destination Wedding Timeline:

Spring 2012 (1 year + to wedding):

Set up account on bestdestinationwedding.com

Pick location

Pick date

Find travel coordinator

Book block of rooms

Book photographer

Book officiant

June 2012 (11 months):

Registry

Wedding budget

July 2012 (10 months):

Find a wedding dress

Buy wedding dress

Buy wedding accessories (e.g., veil, head piece, shoes)

August 2012 (9 months):

Birth certificates

Find out about travel documents, visas and vaccinations

Tell bridesmaids about their dresses

September 2012 (8 months):

Invitations

Book hotel rooms & flights

Get travel insurance

Buy wedding ring for Courtney

Research photo shots & talk to photographer

Videographer

Hair/Makeup

October 2012 (7 months):

Plan first dance

Look at groomsmen outfits

Get corset made

November 2012 (6 months):

Mail invitations

December 2012 (5 months):

Guestbook

Notarized copies of birth certificate and passports

Table decor

Choose ceremony readings

Get Matt's ring

Plan rehearsal dinner

January 2013 (4 months):

Attendant's gifts

Call resort about music

Floral shop - think about flowers

Call officiant

Research honeymoon

Mail required documents to resort

Submit wedding announcement to newspaper

Figure out name change stuff

Get dress altered

February 2013 (3 months): 

Create place cards

Bridal party outfits reminder

Look into cakes

Check resort has required documents

Ceremony programs

Pick up Moms' gifts

Call ppl who haven't rsvped

Reception seating plan

March 2013 (2 months):

Complete welcome bags

Figure out reception venue & food options

Must play and do not play song list

Finalize trip schedule (including day of)

Email bridal party trip schedule

Wedding toasts

Second payment to photographer

April 2013 (1 month):

Write vows

Change insurance policies and beneficiaries

Give resort final head count

Give seat chart to resort

Confirm play list with DJ

Figure out payment plan with family

Write welcome letter for welcome bags

Plan welcome cocktails

May 2013 (THE MONTH):

WEDDING

June 2013 (-1 month):

Thank you notes

July 2013 (-2 months):

Wedding photo book

August 2013 (-3 months):

Check on wedding certificate

HAPPY PLANNING!!