Destination Wedding challenges(to Buy or To Bring)

TO BUY if possible! I had 5 suitcases myself and I got almost everything locally. I had 3 big luggage, 2 carry on, 2 book-bags PLUS my dress and husband tux in hangers. It is a lot of work. We really only paid for 1 extra bag as my mom took our honeymoon bag with her the next day so that was a help.

Here is what I took with me:

- Welcome bags to set up there (the actual bag, hangover kits, hand sanitize, tabasco, tajin, mints, tissues, maps, itinerary, door hanger) - the tequila I got it locally

- All presents for 4 bridesmaids, 4 groomsman, 1 ring bearer, 4 parents to set up there - box and ribbon to set up there

- Robe for 4 bridesmaids, 3 family members and myself.

- Gift bag for ring bearer to keep him entertain during wedding (color book, crayons, some cars, dinosaurs and lollipop)

- Welcome Party decor (tropical leafs, votive, candles, and personalized napkins)

- All wedding signs expect entrance (bar, 5 table, 10 menus, 2 welcome table, here comes the bride)

- Cake topper, cake cutters & glass for toast

- Escort cards, book to sign, pen to sign, Polaroid camera and extra film

- 12 pillow covers for throw pillows (just the cover, we rented the inside there)

- Box for presents/cards

- Cocktail napkins & towel napkins for restroom

- Restroom baskets for men and women (some of the items, bobby pins, hair ties, hair spray, mint, gum, floss, medication for stomach or headache pain, ect)

- Items for details (vows book, perfume, invitation, clutch, dress/tux & accessories of course)

Not sure if I'm forgetting stuff. The reason I brought more was because of my theme. We had a lot of modern all white, acrylic, mirror style so that was hard to find for rental as well as a lot of personalize details so napkins were all personalize with logos, acrylic sings all had our logo as well.

I don't regret it but it is A LOT! I'm very organize and luckily nothing broke but I wouldn't recommend centerpieces and other stuff. I took everything undone so it was easy to pack and protect and most of the set up there like presents and so on. The rest I gave to my coordinator all wrapped and she took care of it.

Another tip is divide the stuff so is easier when arriving or having others take stuff for you. My honeymoon luggage wasn't urgent so my mom took that with me. I had 1 big suitcase all wedding stuff. The other was clothes for the week of as well as what was remaining of the wedding and welcome party. The 2 little ones had all the values and fragile, rings, bracelets. This really helps you stay organize. Make sure to pack some extra trash/clear bags and a pair of scissors.

Good luck!

My destination wedding is going to be in Key West, so I won’t have to worry about customs. You really need to compare the cost of having your venue do everything as add-ons vs purchasing everything and then having to pay for all that extra luggage. I’m going to be bringing supplies for welcome bags (which are doubling as favors) and some extra ceremony decor stuff. However I am going to make it all fit into one box and then mail it to myself at the resort. If I mail it the day before we leave, it’ll get there when we get there and I can assemble everything then. That is going to be less hassle then trying to bring it on the plane with me. I also won’t have to worry about bringing anything additional home because most of it will be given out or used somehow. But seriously compare those costs before you make yourself crazy. I’m sure that’s how these places make their money because everything is expensive, but sometimes it’s still cheaper than DYI.

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OMG, that's a ton of stuff but it all makes perfect sense! Thank you for explaining all of that! We're doing a vintage travel theme, and I'm convinced it'll be impossible to find everything there but the thought of bringing everything is daunting. It sounds like just staying organized helped you through it all!

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That's awesome I wish I had the option of shipping it would make life so much easier but based on my research, shipping into Mexico is like shipping into a black hole, some things make it through and some things don't. Carrying it with, is our only option, it's definitely cheaper in some aspects. One bright side is we're going there for a tour before the actual date so I'll be able to bring some stuff ahead of time, which should make it easier. I'll definitely do some side by side comparisons to see which is cost is better.

We are having a DW and I am trying to keep everything as simple as possible. What the venue doesn’t provide (or what we wanted to upgrade) I am purchasing online and having delivered to me at the hotel, including the flowers. I figured this would save me the hassle of having to travel with everything. And after the wedding I am donating everything so we don’t have to bring it back with us either.

We had a DIY DW but in the same state. It took 3 SUVs to transport all our stuff and the set-up/strike was exhausting!! No way I’d consider taking any DIY on a plane. Rent everything but scale back if you need to save money... do candles instead of floral centerpieces, the BMs can carry a single stem flower instead of bouquet, etc.