Destination Wedding: Guide To Inviting Guests

Planning a destination wedding is an exciting yet challenging task, especially when it comes to inviting guests. There are many factors to consider, from logistics and costs to guest preferences and personalities. The key is to keep the invitation simple yet informative, providing essential details such as the date, time, location, accommodation, and travel information. It is also important to give guests ample notice, usually around 9-12 months in advance, to allow for travel planning and budgeting. The invitation wording should reflect the tone and theme of the wedding, whether it's a formal event or a fun beach celebration. It's also a good idea to include a wedding website link with more detailed information on travel, accommodation, and local attractions. When deciding whom to invite, consider family, close friends, and those who are excited about the destination. It's also important to manage expectations and let guests know there's no pressure to attend due to the associated costs and commitments.

Keep invites simple, but include a clear call to action

When it comes to destination wedding invites, it's best to keep them simple and uncluttered. However, it's crucial to include a clear call to action, such as "RSVP via our destination wedding website" or "call our travel agent." Here are some tips to help you create effective and engaging invitations:

Keep it Simple and Special:

Avoid overwhelming your guests with excessive information on a single card. Opt for multi-card invitation suites or a multi-page booklet-style format to break up the details. Include the essential information, such as the wedding date, time, location, and RSVP method.

Excite Your Guests:

Add a few words to build excitement about the destination. Mention elements like the ocean, sun, sunsets, or travel to spark their imagination and interest. For example, "Join us under the tropical sun as we exchange our vows." Keep it short and sweet, as people tend to skim through text quickly.

Emphasize Their Presence:

Let your guests know how important their presence is to you. A simple phrase like "We can't imagine our special day without you by our side" adds a personal touch and makes them feel valued.

Provide Practical Details:

While creativity is essential, don't forget the practical aspects. Include information about accommodation options, travel routes, and any group activities or excursions you've planned. If there's a lot of information, consider creating a wedding website to share more detailed content, such as local attractions, transportation options, and a full itinerary.

Include a Clear Call to Action:

After providing all the exciting details, don't forget to tell your guests what action to take. Be explicit and provide clear instructions, such as "RSVP by visiting our website" or "Contact our travel agent to book your spot." This ensures your guests know the next step to take after receiving the invitation.

By following these tips, you'll create destination wedding invitations that are not only informative but also engaging and reflective of the joy and excitement of your upcoming celebration.

Provide travel and accommodation tips

When it comes to travel and accommodation tips for your destination wedding, there are a few key things to keep in mind. Firstly, give your guests plenty of notice, preferably around 9-12 months in advance, to allow them to plan and budget for their trip. This will also give them the opportunity to extend their stay and take advantage of the chance to explore your chosen location.

Secondly, be mindful of your guests' budgets. While they will expect to pay for their own travel and accommodation, it's a thoughtful gesture to provide recommendations that cater to a range of budgets. Consider setting up room blocks at a few select hotels to help your guests secure discounted rates. It's also a good idea to include travel and accommodation tips on your wedding website, along with local maps, airport information, and predicted weather forecasts to aid your guests' planning.

Additionally, don't forget to communicate any group travel or accommodation arrangements. If you're planning on booking a block of rooms or flights for your guests, be sure to let them know and provide them with the necessary details. This can be done via your wedding website or through individual communications.

Finally, be considerate of your guests' time and energy. While you may want to plan a full itinerary of events, remember that your guests also need time to relax and explore the destination. A good balance will ensure that everyone has a memorable experience.

Include a local map/itinerary

A local map or itinerary is a crucial component of your destination wedding invitation. It will help your guests navigate their way around the wedding venue and the surrounding area. Here are some tips to consider when including a local map or itinerary:

• Provide Clear and Concise Information: When including a map, ensure it is simple and easy to understand. Mark important locations such as the wedding venue, accommodation options, and nearby attractions. You can also include written directions or a link to a digital map for reference.
• Details to Include: In addition to the wedding venue, mark nearby landmarks, public transport options, restaurants, and any other points of interest. If your celebration spans multiple days, create an itinerary with a breakdown of each event and activity, and their respective locations. This ensures your guests know where to be and when, making their travel plans smoother.
• Design and Aesthetics: The design of your map or itinerary can tie into the overall theme and style of your wedding. Consider incorporating illustrations or images that reflect the charm of your chosen destination. For example, if you're having a beach wedding, you could use illustrations of palm trees or seashells.
• Digital Maps and Websites: If you have a lot of information to convey, consider creating a wedding website with an interactive digital map. This allows you to provide more detailed content without cluttering your invitation suite. You can include links to accommodation options, local attractions, and even recommended restaurants or activities for your guests to explore.
• Practicality and Functionality: While the design and aesthetics are important, ensure that your map or itinerary is practical and easy to use. Your guests should be able to quickly find the information they need. Consider including a legend or key to make it user-friendly.
• Consistency and Theme: Ensure that the design of your map or itinerary aligns with the overall theme and style of your wedding invitations. This creates a cohesive and unified look that reflects your celebration. Use similar fonts, colours, and design elements across all your wedding stationery for a polished and elegant feel.

Including a local map or itinerary in your destination wedding invitation ensures your guests have the necessary information to navigate their way around. It adds to the excitement of your celebration and allows your guests to explore the area and fully immerse themselves in your chosen destination.

Give guests enough time to prepare

Planning a destination wedding is exciting, but it's important to give your guests enough time to prepare. Here are some tips to ensure your guests have sufficient time to get ready for your big day:

Start Early: Send out your "Save the Dates" 9-12 months in advance, especially for a destination wedding. This gives your guests ample time to plan their travels, make necessary arrangements, and budget for the trip. It's also a good idea to include some key details on your "Save the Dates," such as the destination, wedding date, and your wedding website link for more information.

Be Considerate: Remember that your guests may need to budget for their trip, make travel plans, and arrange for time off from work or childcare. Be mindful of their commitments and try to give them as much advance notice as possible. It's also a nice gesture to mention on your wedding website that you understand if some guests are unable to attend due to financial or other constraints.

Provide Detailed Information: In addition to the essential details on your invitations, such as the wedding date, time, location, and RSVP information, consider including a separate insert card or directing guests to your wedding website for more travel and accommodation tips. This extra information can include local attractions, transportation options, and suggestions for places to stay.

Send Formal Invitations: While "Save the Dates" give your guests a heads-up, don't forget to follow up with formal invitations. For destination weddings, it's recommended to send these out 4-6 months before the wedding. This gives your guests a second reminder and helps them with their travel planning.

Keep Communication Open: Throughout the process, maintain open communication with your guests. Let them know about any changes or updates, and be responsive to their queries. This will help ease any concerns they may have about attending your destination wedding.

By following these suggestions, you'll give your guests ample time to prepare for your destination wedding, ensuring that they can join you on your special day without feeling rushed or overwhelmed.

Be generous with plus ones

When it comes to a destination wedding, it's a good idea to be generous with plus ones. Asking someone to travel solo to attend your wedding without their partner is a big ask, and it's also a nice gesture to include a plus one for guests who won't know anyone else, so they have a travel companion, too.

If you have the room in your budget, consider giving your single guests a plus one. It can be a thoughtful gesture so your guests can have someone to share travel and accommodations with, and it can make the experience more enjoyable for them. It's also a good idea to give plus ones to married couples, those in long-term relationships, and those in the bridal party.

However, it's not always possible or desirable to give everyone a plus one. If you have venue capacity constraints or budget limitations, it's reasonable to limit plus ones to significant others only. You can also suggest that guests travelling alone pair up with other solo guests to share costs and have someone to spend time with.

Remember that your guests are already spending a significant amount of money to attend your destination wedding, so if you can accommodate plus ones, it will be appreciated. It's also a good idea to give your guests plenty of notice, ideally around 9-12 months in advance, so they can plan their travel and accommodation accordingly.

Frequently asked questions