Your Ultimate Destination Wedding Packing List

Have you been searching for a destination wedding packing list?  Well, you’ve come to the right place because we have the only checklist you’ll need to make sure you don’t forget a thing!

You’ve probably already figured out that packing for your destination wedding is unlike packing for any other vacation.  It’s such a unique trip, and the items you’ll need go way beyond what you’d have to pack for a regular vacation or even your honeymoon.  And it’s easy to get stressed out and forget some really critical items, especially when you have so many other things to worry about. That’s why I’ve compiled the ultimate packing checklist to make sure you don’t forget a thing!

And because I’m all about making your life easier and stress-free, I even created a pdf version so you can print it out and check off each item right before you head to the airport! Click here to print a PDF version of this packing checklist.

Destination Wedding Packing List: Most important Items

• Passports

• Wedding Rings

• Wedding Dress/Gown

• Veil or headpiece

• Wedding tux/suit

• Wedding Day Shoes

• Visas (where necessary)

• Copies of your birth certificates

• Plane tickets/itinerary/boarding passes

• Credit card/traveler’s checks/cash

Destination Wedding Packing List: Wedding Day Essentials

• Wedding night lingerie/undergarments

• Guest Favors

• Wedding day jewelry (earrings, bracelet, necklace)

• Your Vows

• Change of shoes/slippers for dancing at the reception

• Garter

• Tiara or hair clip

• Cake topper

• Programs

• Menu

• Guestbook

• Ceremony celebration items (i.e. Unity candle or sand ceremony supplies)

• Ring bearer accessories (i.e. Pillow)

• Decorations

• One of your invitations for the photography

• Something old, new, borrowed, blue

• If you’re bringing your own silk/Real Touch bouquet, don’t forget to pack it

• Smartphone loaded with music for your reception (if you’re not hiring entertainment)

• Seating/place cards/table numbers (if you’re bringing your own)

• Aisle runner

Destination Wedding Packing List: Toiletries or Personal Items

• Extra Contact lenses

• Reading glasses

• Sunglasses

• Insect repellent

• Sunblock

• Aloe Vera gel

• Toothpaste & toothbrush

• Deodorant

• Shaving cream

• Razors

• Contraception

• Nail clippers

• Tweezers

• Nail filer/Emory board

• Nail polish and remover

• Medication

• Feminine products

• Lip balm

Destination Wedding Packing List: Hair/Makeup

• Makeup (blush, mascara, foundation, eyeliner, concealer, lipstick/gloss, eyeshadow, etc.)

• Makeup brushes

• Moisturizer, eye cream, night cream, etc..

• Makeup remover

• Facial cleanser

• Hair gel

• Hairspray

• Flatiron and/or curling iron

• Shampoo & Conditioner

• Comb & brush

Destination Wedding Packing List: Electronics

• Cell Phone

• Phone charger

• Camera & charger

Destination Wedding Packing List: Important Paperwork

• Copies of all vendor, resort, and venue contracts

• List of all vendor contact info

• Proof of down payments you’ve made to vendors

• Receipts for favors/welcome bags (to show when crossing Borders & Customs)

• Photocopies of any vaccination document/prescriptions/health insurance cards

• Trip insurance

• Your wedding planning binder or folder with all the details you’ve already arranged, printouts of all email communications with vendors, contracts, etc

• Phone number of the closest US embassy

• Marriage certificate if you had your legal ceremony at home and will be having a religious ceremony abroad (they will sometimes require proof that you are legally married)

Destination Wedding Packing Checklist: Miscellaneous

• Groom’s Gift

• Bridesmaid’s gifts

• Parent’s gifts

• TSA Approved Luggage Locks

• Luggage tags

• Beach bag

• Trash the dress attire (if different from your wedding gown)

• Scissors, ribbon, and tape for any last-minute DIY wedding projects

• Safety pins

• Travel sewing kit

Destination Wedding Packing Checklist: Honeymoon

• Summer dresses

• Walking shoes/sandals

• Sun Hats

• Shorts

• Swimwear

• Lingerie

• Cardigan or wrap for chilly air-conditioned airports and restaurants

• Swimsuit cover-up

• Evening dresses/shoes

• Strapless bras for strapless outfits

• Evening bag/purse

• Guides/maps

Items You’ll Need the Days Leading up to Your Wedding

• Strapless Swimwear (to avoid tan lines on your wedding day)

• Welcome bag items

Other important tips to note before you leave:

• Leave a copy of your passport at home with someone who’s not traveling to your destination wedding.

• Call your cell phone provider and inquire about adding an international package to your plan for the week or two you will be abroad. Depending on your phone carrier you might be able to get this for free if traveling to Mexico or for a small prorated fee if traveling to the Caribbean. An international plan on your phone will allow you to communicate with family/friends or vendors without incurring enormous roaming fees.  You can also communicate with friends/family using the WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger apps.

• If you don’t have an international data plan, make sure you turn off your data while you’re abroad or you could incur outrageous fees when your phone automatically updates email/text messages EVEN if you’re not using your phone. Call your phone company for details.

So there you have it! This is the ultimate destination wedding packing checklist! I hope you find it helpful.

Download & Print The Destination Wedding Packing Checklist

You can open a PDF version of this checklist here and save it on your desktop or print it for later.

Related Posts:

• Click here to get the ultimate destination wedding checklist
• Tips for Traveling with Your Wedding Dress
• 15 tips for how to pack for your destination wedding
• DW Planning Do’s & Dont’s
• Destination Wedding Tips from 54 Real Brides
• Download free destination wedding planning worksheets including Budgeting, RSVP, and Seating Plan trackers