How to Pack for a Destination Wedding
Packing for a vacation is stressful as it is. Now we’re adding packing for your wedding day into the mix, and things get a lot more complex!
Thankfully, it doesn’t have to be over-complicated. In our opinion, less is more (and you’ll thank us when you’re lugging your suitcases through a sweltering airport). But that doesn’t mean there aren’t a few must-haves for every destination wedding.
In Your Carry-On
You already know that carry-ons are where you pack those essentials you can’t live without like medicine or eyeglasses. That said, when it comes to your wedding, everything feels essential. Most likely, you won’t have any issues with your luggage, and everything will go off perfectly. But, just in case, you should bring the following in your carry-on bag:
- Marriage license
- Identifying information
- Rings
- Vows if you are writing your own
If you don’t get married in your wedding dress or suit, it’s going to be okay. These items are often bulky and travel better in checked luggage anyways. That said, if you wanted to bring a more casual back-up outfit just-in-case like a little white dress or a button-up shirt, you can put this in your carry-on.
In Your Checked Bag
Besides all of your normal vacation needs, be sure not to forget the following items:
- Sunscreen (no one wants to be burnt and peeling on wedding day!)
- Hair and skin products
- Makeup, including special makeup for wedding day
- Nail polish for touch-ups
- Attire for pre- and post-wedding events (rehearsal and send-off)
- Shoes and accessories for the wedding
- Wedding undergarments
- Garment steamer (check to see if your hotel already has one!)
- Thank you cards or goodies for guests or vendors
- Live streaming equipment like tripods or microphones
Bonus tip: make sure any liquids are double-bagged in plastic. The last thing you want is for your wedding dress to get covered in purple toning shampoo if there happens to be an in-flight spill.
Photo credit: Morgan Franklin Creative