Planning a destination wedding requires a whole separate timeline. Here, learn how to get everything done for your wedding with time to spare.

Stay on track with this month-by-month guide:

12-10 MONTHS

• Set a budget. Factor in the number of guests and determine how much you can afford to spend.
• Decide on a place. Consider your wedding style and choose a first, second and third choice. Consider travel time and distance.
• Research resorts in your country/location of choice and compare what each offers. Shop for packages and consider all-inclusive packages. Compare prices and inclusiveness as well as recommendations, ratings and references.
• Research airfare and each resort’s room rates.
• Look into the marriage legalitiesin the locations you’re considering.
• Notify family and friends of decision to marry away; select a date.
• Decide on your wedding attendants.
• After selecting a resort, make travel arrangements for a visit.
• Have the location’s on-site wedding coordinator give you a list of preferred local vendors such as the photographer, florist and band.

9 MONTHS

• Visit the resort and meet with the on-site wedding coordinator and local vendors. Look into a group discounton room rates.
• Begin your search for your honeymoon locationif you will not be honeymooning at your wedding destination. If you’re getting married during a peak holiday season such as Christmas, you may need to book your honeymoon 9 months in advance.
• Start gown shoppingand begin registering for gifts.
• Put together your guest list.
• Set up your wedding website. Start with your wedding date and location, adding travel info and other relevant logistics as you go.

6 MONTHS

• Send out save-the-datesto give your guests plenty of time to make travel arrangements.
• Get a rough head count; reserve a block of rooms.
• Contact your officiant. For most religious ceremonies, you may be required to attend pre-wedding counseling. Civil ceremonies may require permission to be married in the location.
• Review and finalize pros’ contracts.
• Buy travel and wedding insurance.
• Reserve a block of rooms at two hotels in different price ranges and direct your invitees to your wedding website for the details.
• If your wedding will take place in another country contact a travel agent to see if you can reserve a block of seats with an airline. Many carriers offer discounts to passengers with groups over ten.
• Book your own honeymoon/travel
• Select and order your gown and bridesmaid dresses.
• Make final selections for your flowers, decor, menu and cake.
• Select musicfor the ceremony, cocktail hour and reception.
• Make arrangements for any transportationat the location such as a shuttle for guests to and from the airport.

4 MONTHS

• Send out invitations.
• Have groom and groomsmen rent tuxedos.

3 MONTHS

• Make sure website is updated with most recent information.
• Write welcome letterto guests and itinerary of events to include in gift bag. Have both printed and ready to take with you or ship to resort.
• Order brochures of local activities along with area maps to include in the gift bag.
• Review documentation for a legal ceremony with your coordinator.

2 MONTHS

• Set up a seating chart, get all RSVPs from guests.
• Test a spray tan if you plan on gettiing one for the wedding.

3-6 WEEKS

• Confirm travel reservations; release any rooms not needed.
• Finalize detailswith wedding coordinator and local vendors.
• Determine an order of events schedule with your coordinator.
• Finalize ceremony details: write vows, finalize music.
• Ask guests to RSVP for group activities via e-mail.
• Ship gift bag items, printed materials (programs etc.) to site.

2 WEEKS

• Finalize guest headcount and confirm group activities.
• Ensure all paperwork is in order (passports, documents needed for marriage license, wedding and travel insurancepolicies).
• Print your wedding programsto take with you.
• Confirm your honeymoonreservation and any speacial requests.
• Address any wedding announcements, stamp and arrange for mailing on your wedding day.
  • WEEK
• Finalize the seating plan; give catereryour final guest list count.
• Pack what you need for the wedding and honeymoon; pick up tuxes.
• Put together an emergency kit(spot remover, band-aids, asprin, etc).
• Determine photo schedule and shot listfor your photographer.
• Confirm final meeting with vendors for when you arrive.

Day Before Departure

• Go over final details with coordinator; update website.
• Contact the wedding party and make sure they know how to reach you.

3-4 days

• Arrive at location and meet with on-site coordinator, officiant, and vendors to review final details.