So, you’ve decided to have a destination wedding? Fabulous!! Now, let’s get to the basics. If you are living in the U.S. and planning a wedding outside the U.S. border, you will need a passport.  Keep in mind, the passport requirement does not apply to U.S. citizens traveling or returning from a U.S. territory which includes Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Swains Island and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Passports are issued to U.S. citizens by the US Department of State and are required to enter and leave countries outside of the United States. As of January 23, 2007, this now includes Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda. You will also be required to present your passport to re-enter the United States after your destination wedding or honeymoon.

New Application for a U.S. Passport

To obtain a passport for the first time, you need to go in person to an issuing office. To find the closest location and download the application form, go to the US Department of State.

Here’s the documentation you will need:

• Two photographs of yourself
• Proof of U.S. citizenship
• Valid form of photo identification such as a drivers license

In the past it has taken an average of 10-12 weeks to process a new passport application. I strongly recommend that you apply early. There are passport expediation services out there, but they can be pricey and are not always guaranteed.

Renewal of a U.S. Passport

Most passports can be renewed by mail, but there are exceptions including:

• a damaged or altered passport,
• a passport that was issued more than 15 year prior,
• a passport that was issued to you when you were under 16 years of age and
• a passport that was issued under a different name.

Remember, if you already have a passport, PLEASE be sure to double-check the expiration date. And be sure to remind your guests to do the same. There are so many sad stories of wedding guests who were ready to travel to a destination wedding and they didn’t realize until the last minute, that their passports had expired. There are some passport expediting services out there, but they can be costly and their services are not always guaranteed.

photo by jaaron

OK … I know, I know … you’re wondering, “What makes your blog “unique” out of all the various wedding blogs out there?” Well, for one, not only am I a seasoned wedding planner, but I am an AVID international traveler and have been since I was a child … eight years old to be exact. Ever since I stepped off that first plane ride in Argentina, I knew traveling would be a huge part of my life. I loved everything about that trip, especially the excitement I felt about exploring a new country and its beautiful culture. Later on in life, I spent many years employed as a travel consultant designing luxury travel excursions for discerning clientele including financial guru Charles Schwab, golfer Tiger Woods and actor Chris O’Donnell (aka “Robin” of the Batman movie). That job taught me so much about high-end travel. It also sparked my interest in researching and exploring exotic and distinctive travel locations.

Another passion of mine, which I would place above my love of traveling, would be my obsession with weddings. I simply can’t get enough of them! The wedding gown fashions, floral design, custom invitations, venue selection, event decor, incorporating the couple’s personality into their wedding, looking into a bride’s eyes and seeing that sparkle of excitement the moment before she walks down the aisle…oh! I could go on and on!! I am especially committed to making each wedding a unique and awe-inspiring experience for you and your guests.

Along with that, as you get to know me through my blog, you’ll realize that I have a bit of an eclectic background. I hold a master’s degree in psychology. Naturally, I am intrigued by the psychology and social nuances involved in weddings. We’ll talk about topics such as “What emotions do brides feel when they are transitioning from Miss to Mrs?” and “Is it normal that you and your groom are bickering 24/7 about things like his choice of shoes for the wedding?”. And when you are planning a destination wedding, you inevitably get some complaints and unwelcome opinions from friends and family about your choice of a destination wedding. Let’s face it, not everyone will be thrilled about shelling out a good chunk of their earnings in hotel costs, airline tickets, travel expenses, along with a wedding gift. We’ll talk about ways to stay sane during this time, and how to remain positive and excited about your upcoming special day regardless of any stress you may be feeling. We’ll also talk about ways to make your destination wedding as budget friendly as possible.

And lastly, as a destination wedding bride myself, I will share my own personal wedding planning experiences. I will be featuring destination wedding vendors, unique wedding locales, various travel tips, international marriage requirements, as well interesting finds and trends in the bridal fashion world.

So, thank you for visiting Brides with Passports.com! I’m excited to share your wedding journey with you!

photo by f10n4