Out of State? What's the timeline like!

I got married in a different state a plane ride away, but my timeline was much shorter than yours (my engagement was four months). I traveled to our destination twice before our wedding—once to do site visits at different venue contenders and once to meet our photographer, do my hair and makeup trial and do our tasting. The second visit was a packed day but it was great to get it all done at once!

Get the big things settled first: sit down with fiancé to decide on your vision. What are your top 3-5 priorities? Many go for the guest experience (good food, free drinks, great dj) and beautiful photos for your memories. Cut out anything not important to you. Decide how much you can and are willing to afford to spend without asking for assistance. Keep in mind that when someone else pays, they get final say in planning decisions. Decide on your guest list. Only invite those you can’t imagine the day without. Don’t invite anyone out of obligation to please others. Parents can start a tradition of a family reunion picnic at another time if they want to host extra people not on your guest list. You need all of this information before you can look for venues.


Decide if you want an all inclusive venue or a blank slate. All inclusives are not budget friendly and they have many restrictions. A blank slate venue provides you freedom to pick your vendors. Browse eventective.com for venues. Do you trust your parents’ taste and decisions to fall in line with yours? If so, they can do a tour in person while Facetimeing with you? Or do that in person yourself. Most other vendors can be interviewed via phone and online. However you don’t get that option with an all inclusive. Also, if food is important to you, a blank slate venue will allow outside catering companies which offer tastings before you book them. Just like you don’t buy a car before you test drive. With all inclusive venues, you are required to book the venue before you can taste the catering at which point you are stuck. Don’t rely on reviews because many are purchased unless you go to a neutral site such as Yelp or GoogleMaps.

I would get the big things secured first, Then brainstorm your guest list and finalize it.