Destination Wedding Packing List – Your Ultimate Guide!

Congratulations on your upcoming destination wedding! As you get ready to tie the knot in a breathtaking location, it’s important to ensure you have everything you need for a seamless and unforgettable celebration.

But amidst the planning and excitement, you may not have thought about what to actually pack for a destination wedding!

If you’ve been looking for a destination wedding packing list, I’ve got you covered! This is based on my own experience as well as over 7000 brides!

Packing for a destination wedding requires thoughtful planning to guarantee you’re well-prepared for the big day and the events leading up to it.

While some aspects are like any other vacation (you know, packing the basics!), destination weddings are unique and the items you’ll need go beyond any other trip you’ve had in the past.

White Luggage Near the Couch

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What to Pack for a Destination Wedding

Let’s dive into what to pack for a destination wedding to make sure you have everything you need for your picture-perfect day – and trip!

And because I know you’re probably already stressed about the whole destination wedding planning thing, I’ve made your packing easier and stress-free by creating a PDF version of a destination wedding packing list at the end of this post so you don’t forget anything!

Destination Wedding Packing List: The Basics (and most important items!)

Make sure all of these items go on the plane with you in your carry-on bag! Never, ever check these items!

  1. Passports
  2. Wedding rings and jewellery/cufflinks
  3. Wedding dress – many brides opt for the 66″ Wallybags, or the dupe 66″ Tri-fold garment bag to travel with their gown.
  4. Veil or headpiece/tie or bowtie
  5. Wedding tux/suit
  6. Wedding shoes
  7. Vows (if you have your own)
  8. Copies of your birth certificates (if you’re having a legal destination wedding ceremony)
  9. Boarding pass and travel documents (easy to keep organized in a document holder!)
  10. Transfer information
  11. Credit cards and cash (including tips for vendors/wedding coordinator/day to day at resort or venue)
  12. ID (such as a driver’s license, if you plan to rent a car)
  13. Trip insurance
  14. Cell phones
  15. Travel agent information, wedding coordinator information, and vendor information
  16. Receipts for welcome bags (if you’re doing them)
  17. Cake topper
  18. Outfit change for 1 day, including bathing suit, travel-sized sunscreen, bathing suit, sunglasses, hat, and flip flops (because baggage delays can happen!)
  19. Headphones/neck pillow/book for flight
  20. Snacks and gum
  21. Hand sanitizer/sanitizing wipes
  22. Prescription medication
  23. Chargers for phone

It’s easiest to pack these items in a carry-on suitcase, and organize grouped items in packing cubes (which for me, are life savers!).

Check with your airline policy, because you are also allocated a personal item. This, however, may be needed for your dress, so it’s something to keep in mind while packing!

Packing list for Destination Weddings: Wedding-Related Items

Some of these items may not apply to you if you’re choosing not to do welcome bags or favours!

  1. Welcome bag items 
  2. Welcome letters/thank you notes 
  3. Guest book
  4. Favours 
  5. Suitcase note for decor (see my free template on my welcome bag guide!)
  6. Envelopes for vendor tips (but take cash on the plane with you!)
  7. Rehearsal dress & shoes 
  8. Mr./Mrs. tank top 
  9. DIY signs and decor 
  10. One of your invitations for photographer
  11. Ring bearer pillow
  12. Seating cards 
  13. Garter 
  14. Bouquet charm 
  15. Ring box 
  16. Wedding day perfume 
  17. Gifts for parents/bridal party 
  18. Wedding dress hanger 
  19. Wrinkle release & tide stick 
  20. Portable steamer
  21. Portable fan

Important Paperwork 

While I know everything has gone digital, it’s always good to have a paper copy of important paperwork.

  1. Copies of all vendor information
  2. Travel agent information
  3. Resort information and transfer information
  4. Wedding and vendor contracts
  5. Proof of deposits
  6. Receipts for favours/welcome bags  
  7. Photocopies of any vaccination documents/prescriptions/health insurance cards
  8. Trip insurance  
  9. Marriage certificate (if you were legally married at home, and are having a religious ceremony at your destination. This isn’t always required, but they will sometimes ask for proof of marriage.)

Destination Wedding Packing Guide: Checked Suitcase Items

Packing for a vacation is fun but it’s easy to forget some crucial items! If you’re looking for a more detailed guide for what to bring, here’s a list of what to pack for an all-inclusive vacation to make sure you don’t forget a thing!

Clothing

  1. Bathing suits (strapless, if you want to avoid tan lines!)
  2. Coverups 
  3. Beach bag – check out this cute Mrs. beach bag & hat combo!
  4. Sandals/Evening shoes 
  5. Evening dresses 
  6. Tank tops 
  7. Sun hat
  8. Shorts 
  9. Underwear & bras 
  10. PJs/Lingerie 
  11. Workout clothes 
  12. Running shoes and socks 

Toiletries

  1. SPF chapstick
  2. Sunscreen (bring more than you think you’ll need!) 
  3. Aloe vera 
  4. Probiotics
  5. Bug spray 
  6. Makeup & remover
  7. Moisturizer
  8. Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, and mouthwash
  9. Hair ties/bobby pins 
  10. Hair products
  11. Matching nail polish/nail file 
  12. Deodorant 
  13. Razors 
  14. Tweezers 
  15. Scissors 
  16. Body wash/lotion (resort provides) 
  17. Straightener/curling wand 
  18. First aid kit (including probiotics, they may come in handy!)
  19. Sewing kit & double-sided tape 
  20. Contraceptives/hygiene products

Miscellaneous

  1. Beach bag
  2. Book for beach
  3. Bridal party/parents gifts
  4. TSA approved lock
  5. Luggage tags
  6. Blister pads
  7. Chub rub

Check out my Top 10 Destination Wedding Travel Essentials!

What I didn’t include:

  • Camera: Nowadays most people use their cell phone, but if you want to take photos on a camera, be sure to pack that in your carry-on too!
  • Travel visas: This doesn’t apply to everyone, but check with your travel agent if one is needed.
  • Embarkation Declaration: This doesn’t apply to every country, but if you are travelling to Curacao, Aruba, or Dominican Republic, you will need to fill out an ED card prior to departing. Your travel agent should provide you with the online link to complete it. It’s easy!

Final reminders for packing for a Destination Wedding

  • It’s important that you leave a copy of your passport at home with someone who isn’t travelling with you.
  • Find out about roaming charges with your cell provider (or keep your phone on airplane mode to avoid excess charges!)
  • Be sure to prepare your home for travel, too!

Don’t forget to grab your PDF destination wedding packing checklist!

Pin it for later!

destination wedding packing checklist
destination wedding packing list

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