Destination Wedding Packing List

Congratulations on choosing to have a destination wedding or elopement! The idea of starting one of the biggest adventure of life – marriage – with an adventure by having a destination wedding is so incredible. There are so many fun and unique activities to do on your destination wedding or destination elopement, but there is also the season and weather conditions to consider! Making sure you know everything there is to know about packing for a destination wedding is why this blog was created on the ultimate packing list for a destination wedding. Get ready to be super prepped when it comes to packing for a destination wedding!

Destination Wedding Packing List: MOST IMPORTANT ITEMS

I recommend bringing all of this on the plane with you (and not checking it into a large suitcase). One of you can have the garment bag as your “carry-on” and one of you can have a backpack with the rest of the needed items.

• Pack all of your Wedding Attire in a garment bag (wedding dress and/or wedding suit) — Most airlines are super accommodating and will hang your garment bag for you in the front or back of the plane so your clothes don’t wrinkle too much on the trip
• Wedding Rings
• Vow Books
• Wedding Veil or Headpiece
• Wedding Shoes
• Wedding Jewelry
• Photo Identification // Driver’s License or Passport (if you’re traveling international)
• Permits (usually needed for an elopement, for a state or national park, for Hawaiian islands, etc.)
• Paperwork Needed for your Marriage Certificate: look up the exact paperwork you need as it may vary depending on location!
• Plane Tickets/Boarding Passes

Additional Packing List for the Plane:

• Portable charging battery and/or phone charger cable
• Headphones
• Download music/podcasts/movies/TV shows on your phone or tablet
• Water bottle
• Snacks, especially if you have a long travel day ahead of you
• For an international wedding: a plug adaptor (check out this one)

All Weather Packing List for a Destination Wedding

For everything else listed below, feel free to put it in a checked bag (or two)!

• Outfits for both casual and formal occasions like shorts/pants and dresses
• Sweater or a jacket for potentially cool mornings or evenings
• Rain jacket or umbrella
• Shoes and socks: sandals, sneakers
• For more adventurous couples: hiking clothes that can get wet or dirty, waterproof hiking boots, a backpack

Summer Wedding Packing List

• Swimsuits
• Hats or visors
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Sandals or flip-flops

Winter Wedding Packing List

This is mainly with the idea of a snowy winter wonderland destination wedding!

• Heavy jacket
• Snow pants
• Sweaters or sweatshirts
• Long sleeved shirts
• Hat
• Gloves
• Sunscreen
• Swimsuit (if a hot tub is available)

Beach Wedding Packing List

• Swimsuits
• Beach Towels
• Hats or visors
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Sandals

Mountain Wedding Packing List

• Backpack
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Insect Repellent
• First Aid Kit
• Shoes: hiking shoes, sneakers

Desert Wedding Packing List

• Backpack
• Swimsuits
• Beach Towels
• Hats or visors
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Shoes: sandals, hiking shoes
• Insect Repellent
• First Aid Kit

Packing List for the Plane Ride Home:

• Souvenirs!!!
• Portable charging battery and/or phone charger cable
• Headphones
• Downloaded music/movies/TV shows/podcasts on your phone or tablet
• Water bottle
• Snacks, especially if you have a long travel day ahead of you
• Photo Identification // driver’s license or passport (if you’re traveling international)

Additional Destination Wedding Tips

• How to Elope in Europe
• Europe Travel Tips
• Where to Get Married on the East Coast
• 25 Places in California to Get Married at