A destination-wedding timeline, month by month.

A destination wedding timeline runs earlier and tighter than a local one. The same things that make it work for guests (time to plan travel, make a trip of it, block leave) are why it needs more lead time from you. Save-the-dates go out 14 months ahead, not six. Legal paperwork starts four to six months ahead, not four to six weeks. RSVPs close three months before the date, not one. The rest of the plan compresses or stretches around those fixed points.

This guide covers the month-by-month timeline from the moment you get engaged to the morning of the wedding. Eighteen months is the comfortable runway; twelve is workable; anything shorter trades flexibility for compromise.

Month 18 to 15. The foundation. Set a budget with a 15% contingency; shortlist three destination options; visit if logistics allow, or ask the planner for the most detailed Zoom walkthrough they can run. Book the venue and the planner in the same week. Lock the date; peak-Saturday dates at premium venues are gone 18 to 24 months ahead.

Month 15 to 12. Vendor tier one. Photography, florals, and music book out 12 to 15 months ahead for peak dates. Open the hotel room block in the same quarter and negotiate a bulk rate. Send save-the-dates at month 14. Guests need that much runway to book flights and ask for leave.

Month 12 to 9. Design and details. Finalise the guest list and the invitation design (destination invitations do double duty as travel information; load them up). Start legal paperwork if marrying on-site; the clock runs four to six weeks in Portugal, eight to ten weeks in Spain and Greece, nine to twelve weeks in Italy and France.

Month 9 to 6. Formal invitations go out at month 8. Finalise the catering menu, the wine list, and the bar programme. Plan the welcome event, the farewell lunch, and any daytime activities (a boat day, a vineyard visit, a cultural morning). Book ground transfers. Organise accommodations: room assignments, any overflow.

Month 6 to 4. Fine detail. Final floral design approved. Music set lists drafted. Welcome-bag contents ordered (keep them modest). Wedding-website updated with the weekend schedule for guests. Dress and suit fittings underway.

Month 4 to 3. The tail of the detail work. Final head count starting to firm up as RSVPs land. Confirm the officiant script and any legal notarisations. Finalise the shuttle and transfer schedule. Confirm all vendor contracts and the day-of timelines with each.

Month 3. RSVP deadline closes. Chase stragglers once in week one and again in week two; after that, no-response is a no. Run the menu tasting in-person. Finalise the seating chart. Pay final balances to vendors (most require 30–45 days ahead of the wedding).

Month 2 to 1. Last details. Legal paperwork complete and filed. Final dress and suit fitting. Printed materials (menus, place cards, ceremony programmes) produced. Vendor meeting with the planner to walk through the full schedule. Confirm travel for your core wedding party.

Week 4 to week 2. Pack. Write your own vows. Confirm everyone's travel (the best man's flight, the parents' hotel, the officiant's arrival). Run the final vendor briefing with your planner.

Week 1. Travel to the destination. Most couples arrive three or four days before the wedding. Day minus three: arrive, settle in, any welcome activities. Day minus two: rehearsal in the afternoon, rehearsal dinner in the evening. Day minus one: day of rest, final walkthrough, welcome drinks with guests as they arrive. Day zero: the wedding.