RP: I think I've decided...(looking for advice about planning from a distance!)

As soon as it’s legal, I’m moving to Sweden.

I currently have an Irish passport in the works (since I’m an Irish citizen) and as soon as I get that, I can move freely around the EU. It’s just been murder being here, having to live with my parents again, work at a pretty dead end job…I feel like this time should be about having my life start, not having it completely stall! I’m moving to Sweden after the wedding anyway, so if I go over earlier, I can get my new life started: begin looking for jobs, making contacts and all that. Plus, the biggest plus of all, I would be with my FH!

But as soon as I wrote all that, I begin to become discouraged…how am I going to get my dress and have my shower and stuff? My FH is planning on coming over at least a month before the wedding so he can help, so we would be here then, but I don’t know…

I guess I'm looking for some advice here. Any tips from people who've planned weddings from a distance?

I'm not planning a wedding from a distance, but I did want to offer you some support.

Moving and getting married is a huge thing--especially since you are moving to a different country! Don't fret over it too much. It's exciting. Take it one step at a time and don't be afraid to ask for help and delegate as much as you can. Definitely surround yourself with people that you completely trust and can depend on.

Take a breath and take it easy.

Wishing you all the best on your wedding planning: Im not from afar, I am local but: If you need help with things in general, who to use for you vendors and any suggestions, I would be happy to help you in any which way I could. I am a Scotto Brother Bride, we were married and Chateau Briand In Carle Place on June 8th which is the same owners as the place you are getting married at.
Perfect Wedding Planners in the Fox Hollow is a great asset to use as well..
Wishing you all the Best,
Kristy

While I didnt live as far away, I was in Ohio for about 70% of the planning process and honestly, you can do everything online.

Dress? Buy it and they will ship it wherever you need. There are PLENTY of seamstresses across the word

Shower? Maybe it wont be a surprise and planned around a time when you are in town, or maybe it'll be smaller with a bunch of friends and family visiting you

I think the planning process is actually more streamlined as you dont waste time on a saturday going from place to place to place to place... you find vendors on here or anywhere online, email them for pricing and availability (even portfolio or references) narrow it down and send out a friend stateside to check it out. Or see them in person when you come to visit maybe? Rely on family and friends to scope stuff out in person like a reception hall and take tons of digital pics.

If you need to buy stuff online and they dont ship internationally, just get it sent to your parents' house and have them mail it to you.

If you make/buy stuff in Sweden, mail it with insurance and leave PLENTY of time for shipping. Or you can bring it with you when you fly back (i would suggest rolling your dress into your carryon or getting a garment bag as that shouldnt leave your hands without insurance.)

it'll work out just fine, fm if you have any specific questions

OMG - I didn't know you were going to move! Whatever I can do to help - please let me know!!!

While I'm not planning from another country - I'm planning from a state away with a FH who works every weekend, Saturday & Sunday...so our appointments have to be done on a very tight schedule. His work schedule doesn't change and his only days off are Tuesday & Friday. The other days he works from 9:00 - 9:30....so you can imagine the type of scheduling i'm doing...

I do find it much easier to work with vendors via email or phone (though I prefer email 100%). I can tell you that i've done more research than I would if I lived here, because on days when we are around, I refuse to waste our time and seek out 10 limo vendors. I want to meet one, have him meet or exceed my expectations and move on to the next vendor we need... You can get a LOT more than you think done over email...like someone else mentioned, you can get prices, referrals, all kinds of things! When you get back to the states, you make appointments to meet with these people & boom, you're done.

If you are organized, i don't think it would be a huge issue at all. There are TONS of girls here willing to help...take the advice & offers of help and USE US!!!!