Planning a wedding is challenging enough, but doing so while on the move? That might at first feel downright impossible. Yet, many couples are proving that you can plan your dream wedding without being tied down to one location. Here’s a short guide to making it happen.
Establish your wedding vision
Before anything else, you need a clear vision of what you want your wedding to look like. To start narrowing down your options, decide where and when you want to host your wedding, as well as what you want it to look like. Think about potential venues, whether it’s a local spot back home, a special place you’ve visited while travelling or somewhere new.
Next, decide on a date – or at least a season. Consider the weather of your chosen location, regional prices, travel for yourselves and your guests, and accommodation options. At the beginning of the planning process, a rough guide is enough – you’ll have plenty of time to finalise the details as you go.
Choosing the theme or aesthetic of your day sets the tone for all other decisions. Are you dreaming of a rustic barn wedding in the countryside, a luxurious beach wedding, or a chic urban event? There are no right or wrong answers, so long as you factor in your budget as well as your desires.
Stay organised
While travelling, you likely won’t have the luxury of face-to-face meetings with vendors – but technology has your back. Utilise digital tools to help you stay organised, book vendors, and manage your RSVPs from anywhere in the world. Video conferencing platforms can also allow you to have virtual meetings with vendors, suppliers and venue managers virtually.
Travelling can make it hard to keep track of the finer details, so you’ll need to adopt a system to help you keep everything well organised. It can be helpful to create a timeline of your planning process, outline key dates and deadlines, and use checklists to break down tasks into manageable lists.
A big part of keeping everything running smoothly is clear communication, especially when you’re not physically present. Set up regular check-ins with your planning team, and create a shared calendar to keep everyone in the loop around upcoming deadlines.
Delegate
Wedding planning can quickly become overwhelming if you attempt to do everything by yourself. Especially when you are busy travelling, delegating tasks to trusted friends, family, or your professional wedding planner will save you both time and stress. If you don’t happen to be in the country where you’d like to get married currently, entrust someone to go venue scouting for you. They could even video call you once there to give you both a virtual tour of the setting.
In the same way, you can ask friends or family members who are willing to help to meet potential vendors on your behalf. Be sure they have a clear understanding of your vision and tastes, and arrange to clarify any decisions before they are finalised. To keep costs low and inspire a little creativity into your special day, ask your loved ones if they’d be willing to help with some DIY decor – crafty friends would likely jump at the chance to create something unique for you.
Leverage your travels
If your travels take you to places known for wedding essentials (like Paris for dresses or Bali for decor), you can use this opportunity to shop around and gather unique items for your day. While you may not be able to collect everything you need, taking inspiration from the places you visit will help you build a personalised, unique day – you could even incorporate some traditions from around the world.
Of course, just as your travel plans can change, so can wedding plans. Try to embrace any obstacles as new opportunities and be prepared to adapt and have backup plans in place. Staying both flexible and optimistic will help reduce stress and ensure you can enjoy both the planning and the actual day of your wedding.
Self-care is essential
Planning a wedding while travelling can be mentally exhausting, so you need to take good care of yourself. To avoid it becoming overwhelming, take breaks to relax and enjoy your travels. Remember to prioritise eating well, exercising, and getting plenty of rest, too.
With the right tools and mindset, you can make planning your special day a seamless and enjoyable experience. Remember to stay organised, delegate tasks, and leverage your travels for unique finds. Most importantly, enjoy the process and cherish the moments leading up to your big day.