Planning A Wedding Out Of State: A Step-By-Step Guide

Planning a wedding out of state can be a challenge. It requires more flexibility than a local wedding, and there may be unexpected costs. You'll need to do lots of research, and it can be helpful to hire a wedding planner or DOC (Day-of Coordinator) to help you navigate the local market and recommend vendors. Give yourself extra time to research vendors, plan logistics, and make arrangements for out-of-town guests. You may need to be open to different dates, vendors, and details, and there may be a lot of extra back and forth.

Research vendors, logistics, and accommodation

Planning a wedding out of state requires a lot of research. You should be prepared to spend a lot of time researching vendors, logistics, and accommodation. Start by searching local Facebook groups, asking friends or family who live in the area for recommendations, and reading reviews. It's also a good idea to hire a wedding planner or DOC (Day-of Coordinator) who can help you navigate the local wedding market and recommend reputable and reliable vendors. This can save you a lot of time and hassle, especially if you're planning a semi-destination wedding.

When it comes to vendors, be flexible and open-minded. You may need to be willing to consider different dates, vendors, and details to make it work. There may be different timelines and a lot of back and forth that you may not experience with local vendors. It's also important to verify times according to time zones when booking meetings with vendors in another state.

For logistics, give yourself and your guests extra time. Planning an out-of-state wedding can take longer than a local one, so send Save the Dates and Invitations earlier than you would for a local wedding. This allows your guests to budget, request time off, and book accommodations, especially in popular tourist areas.

Finally, when it comes to accommodation, be sure to budget for unexpected expenses. These may include travel costs for the couple, extra shipping fees for decor or supplies, and possibly accommodation for the bride and groom.

Be flexible with dates, vendors, and details

Planning an out-of-state wedding may require more flexibility than planning a local wedding. You may need to be open to different dates, vendors, and details to make it work. There may be different timelines and a lot of extra "back and forth" that you may not have with local locations.

Be prepared to do lots of research. Search the local Facebook groups, ask friends or family that live in that area if they have any recommendations, and be sure to read reviews and compare prices to find the best options. You can also hire a wedding planner or DOC (Day-of Coordinator) to help you navigate the local wedding market and recommend vendors that are reputable and reliable.

Give yourself and your guests extra time. Planning an out-of-state wedding can take longer than planning a local wedding. Send Save the Dates and Invitations earlier than you would for a local wedding, this allows your guests to budget, request time off, and ensure that they will be able to book accommodations (especially in popular tourist areas). It is also often helpful to send reminders to your guests about the time zone differences, so they can be sure to arrive at the correct time.

Finally, plan for unexpected expenses. When planning an out-of-state wedding, there may be unexpected costs that are not accounted for in typical wedding planning. These costs include travel costs for the couple to and from the location, accommodation for the couple, extra shipping fees for decor or supplies, and more. Make sure to budget for these additional expenses.

Plan for unexpected expenses

Planning an out-of-state wedding can be a complex and time-consuming process, so it's important to be prepared for unexpected expenses. Here are some tips to help you plan and budget for potential surprises:

First and foremost, be aware that there may be additional costs that you wouldn't typically encounter when planning a local wedding. These can include travel costs for the bride and groom, accommodation expenses, and extra shipping fees for decor or supplies. It's important to factor these into your budget to avoid any last-minute financial strain.

To mitigate the impact of unexpected expenses, consider hiring a wedding planner or day-of coordinator (DOC). They can be a valuable investment, saving you time and stress by navigating the local wedding market, recommending reputable vendors, and handling the back-and-forth communication. If hiring a full-time planner is not feasible, consider a partial planner who can assist with specific tasks, such as vendor research and waiting on hold during bookings.

Additionally, give yourself ample time to research and plan. Start by searching local Facebook groups, asking friends or family in the area for recommendations, and reading reviews to compare prices and services. Be flexible with your dates, vendors, and details, as you may need to adapt to the availability and unique requirements of an out-of-state location.

Finally, remember to send out Save the Dates and invitations earlier than you would for a local wedding. This allows your guests to budget, request time off, and secure accommodations, especially in popular tourist areas. By planning ahead and being mindful of potential surprises, you can ensure a smoother journey towards your dream out-of-state wedding.

Hire a wedding planner

Planning a wedding out of state can be a challenge, so hiring a wedding planner can be a great way to save time and energy. A wedding planner can help you navigate the local wedding market and recommend reputable and reliable vendors. They can also save you from spending hours researching and reading reviews.

If you are planning a wedding that crosses state lines, you will need to do a lot of research. A wedding planner can help with this, as they will be familiar with the local area and be able to recommend vendors and venues. They can also help with the extra logistics involved in an out-of-state wedding, such as travel and accommodation for the bridal party and guests.

When planning an out-of-state wedding, it is important to be flexible. There may be different timelines and a lot of back and forth that you wouldn't have with a local wedding. A wedding planner can help to manage this process and ensure that everything runs smoothly. They can also help you to plan for unexpected expenses, which are more likely with an out-of-state wedding.

Finally, planning an out-of-state wedding can take longer than planning a local wedding, so it is important to give yourself extra time. A wedding planner can help to speed up this process by handling many of the time-consuming tasks, such as waiting on hold and searching for vendors.

Give yourself and your guests extra time

Planning a wedding out of state can take longer than planning a local wedding, so it's important to give yourself and your guests extra time. Start by giving yourself extra time to research vendors, plan logistics, and make arrangements for out-of-town guests. Send Save the Dates and Invitations earlier than you would for a local wedding, so your guests can budget, request time off, and book accommodations.

When planning an out-of-state wedding, be prepared to do lots of research. Search local Facebook groups, ask friends or family in the area for recommendations, and read reviews to compare prices and find the best options. Consider hiring a wedding planner or DOC (Day-Of Coordinator) to help you navigate the local wedding market and recommend reputable vendors. Wedding planning can take 200-500 hours on average, and even more if you're planning a semi-destination wedding.

Be flexible and open to different dates, vendors, and details. There may be different timelines and extra back and forth that you wouldn't have with a local wedding. Plan for unexpected expenses, such as travel costs for the couple, accommodation, extra shipping fees for decor or supplies, and more.

Finally, don't forget to verify times according to time zones when booking meetings with vendors in another state.

Frequently asked questions