How Far in Advance Should You Start Planning a Destination Wedding?

Planning a destination wedding is very different from planning a local wedding—and timing is everything. As a destination wedding travel logistics coordinator, I see behind the scenes of what actually needs to happen to ensure guests arrive smoothly, contracts are honored, and couples don’t lose money or momentum along the way.

The Short Answer:
Ideally, you should start planning your destination wedding 12–18 months in advance. In some cases, 9–12 months can work, but anything shorter introduces avoidable risk.

Why Timing Matters More for Destination Weddings

Unlike local weddings, destination weddings involve:
• International contracts and group room blocks 
• Airline pricing fluctuations 
• Passport validity requirements 
• Guest budgeting and PTO coordination 
• Resort wedding department availability 
• Attrition clauses and inventory release deadlines  

These are not things Pinterest prepares you for.

12–18 Months Out: The Sweet Spot

This window allows you to:
• Secure the best group rates before inventory tightens 
• Lock in preferred wedding dates and venues 
• Give guests ample notice to budget and request time off 
• Build a proper room block that protects you financially 
• Avoid last-minute airfare spikes  

Most couples don’t realize that resorts release room inventory in waves. Waiting too long often means higher rates, limited categories, or guests being scattered across different buildings or even resorts.

9–12 Months Out: Still Possible (With Strategy)

This timeline can work if:
• Your guest list is under 40–50 people 
• You are flexible on dates and resorts 
• You are willing to accept limited room category availability  

At this stage, airfare becomes a bigger variable. Guests traveling from smaller airports may have fewer routing options, and group contracts become less forgiving.

6–8 Months or Less: High Risk Territory

This is where I see the most stress and regret. At this point:
• Airfare is often at its highest 
• Room blocks may be unavailable or expensive 
• Wedding departments may be fully booked 
• Guests start declining due to short notice  

Can it be done? Yes. Should it be done without professional logistics support? Absolutely not.

What Most Couples Don’t Know

• Passports must be valid for at least 6 months beyond travel for many destinations 
• Attrition penalties can cost couples thousands if room blocks aren’t structured properly 
• Wedding dates can be held—but only for a limited time 
• Guests booking outside the group can jeopardize concessions  

Final Advice

If you’re even thinking about a destination wedding, start the conversation early. Planning ahead isn’t about being type A—it’s about protecting your experience, your finances, and your guests.

As a travel logistics coordinator, my job is to see the problems before they happen—so you don’t have to.