How to Pack for Your Destination Wedding Bahamas
While a destination wedding always promises to be fun, exciting, and romantic, it can present many unique challenges. These would otherwise not be an issue with standard weddings. None of these speed bumps should prevent you from having a destination wedding Bahamas. But they do need to be considered beforehand.
Instead of stressing over the big picture and all the tiny details that go into having a beautiful wedding experience, it is possible to relax and enjoy your engagement. Professional wedding planners, like Chic Bahamas Weddings’ Marva Munroe, offer extensive experience planning and designing Bahamas weddings and are known for an eye for detail. By coordinating for the following associated challenges, you’ll be able to experience a care-free wedding week that’s relaxing and enjoyable.
The Packing Conundrum
Packing is one of those things you don’t really think about until the day before your trip; however, it requires much more thought when it’s your wedding. You will need to plan out the logistics of your air travel well in advance to ensure nothing is left behind and everything can be properly packed. By not procrastinating and avoiding potential packing mishaps, your wedding week will be a time of happiness and joy. To simplify the process, let’s break packing requirements and needs down for each individual and group.
Destination Wedding Bahamas: The Bride
It’s the bride’s show and she needs to spend time thinking about what she needs and how she’s going to get everything from point A to point B. Most importantly, how will the wedding dress be packed?
There is an expression people with air-travel often use that says “There are two kinds of luggage: carry-on and lost.” While it may be a slight exaggeration, it’s not always far from the truth. Like it or not, losing checked luggage can occasionally be part of flying. However, when it’s your wedding and it’s your wedding dress, it’s not an option. It’s highly recommended to carry your wedding dress with you. The best piece of advice is to use the garment bag the dress came in or to purchase a heavy-duty bag.
When you get to the gate, notify the flight crew that you are on your way to your wedding and will be carrying your dress onto the plane. In most cases, they will bend over backwards to ensure your flight is comfortable and safe. When you board the plane, you’ll usually have a couple of options. The best option – if offered by the flight crew – is to hang it up in first class. If that isn’t possible or it won’t fit, it’s okay to fold the garment in half and gently place it in the overhead bin. A flight attendant can help you ensure nothing else is stored in that bin.
As for all your other belongings, the same rule of thumb applies. If you can’t afford to lose it, don’t check it. All essentials should be brought in your carry-on luggage for best results.
The Groom
While the groom may not have a wedding dress, he will play a crucial role in the ceremony. It is wise for him to also carry his suit or other wedding attire onto the plane. A gentle folding of the suit should allow it to fit in an overhead compartment. Don’t worry about creases or folds, as most resorts and hotels will have access to an iron or dry-cleaning service.
The Wedding Party
While the wedding party should do whatever the bride and groom suggest, it’s usually best to follow the same rules of bringing wedding attire on board. As is the case with both the bride and groom, be careful with how you store items on the plane and confirm they are carried in a heavy-duty garment bag.
Wedding Guests
Wedding guests should pay careful attention to the invitation to determine what the appropriate dress code is. In most cases, Bahamas weddings are more casual than standard weddings, which means they don’t require highly formal wear. If no dress code is listed, ladies should plan for a nice sundress and pair of flats, while men should sport a button up and khakis. As a way of saving space – both for yourself and the couple – don’t travel with your wedding gift. Send it directly to their home.
Things You Can’t Forget
When you travel for your destination wedding, there are certain things you cannot forget to bring. As is the case with ceremony attire, most – if not all – of these things should be brought in carry-on luggage.
The first category of items to remember consists of required documentation to legally be wed. Depending on where you’re going and what the local requirements are, this may include birth certificates, passports, photo IDs or driver’s licenses, tourist cards, and divorce or death certificates if applicable.
Once legal documents are accounted for, the second most important category pertains to wedding essentials. These include the wedding dress, veil, shoes, suits, rings, bridal party gifts, sign-in books, and other elements you want included. Another question to consider is whether the wedding will be photographed or video recorded and by whom. If the resort is not doing so, you’ll want to bring your own cameras and equipment.
Finally, everyone in attendance should make sure they have appropriate and comfortable resort wear. Depending on how many days you’ll be on the island, you should pack a sufficient amount of dresses, bathing suits, cover-ups, shorts, sandals, sunscreen, sunglasses, shoes, and other essentials. Regardless of whether you are staying at an all-inclusive or standard resort, it’s best to bring some cash for tips, excursions, and other possible expenses.
Prior to leaving for the wedding, it’s best to check in with your wedding planner to ensure they have everything they need on their end. It’s better to be cautious than to arrive and realize you left something you were supposed to bring.
Chic Bahamas Weddings
At Chic Bahamas Weddings, we believe destination weddings can be fun and easy. We can handle everything along the way and are happy to provide as much or as little input as you need. All you have to take care of is packing your bags for an unforgettable getaway. For more information on how we can plan the wedding of your dreams, please contact us today!