Crafting Destination Wedding Invites: Tips For Writing

Planning a destination wedding is an exciting experience, but it can be challenging to know how to word your invitations. The key is to keep them simple yet special, providing essential information without overwhelming your guests. Here are some tips and examples to help you craft the perfect destination wedding invitations.

What to include in your invitations

Destination wedding invitations should include all the typical information, such as the couple's names, the host line, the date, time, and location of the wedding ceremony. You may also include reception information, but this is optional and can be printed on an insert card or included on your wedding website instead.

• The venue information (name of the venue, region/city, country, and zip code)
• The date and time of your wedding
• Any further information that would be helpful to guests (e.g. cash or open bar, RSVP date, etc.)

It is also a good idea to include a wedding website link where guests can find additional vital details such as travel or accommodation suggestions, a local map or itinerary, and information on any additional wedding-related events during their stay.

If you are having a destination wedding with weekend events such as a welcome party or beach BBQ, include these on a separate response card. Provide guests with the schedule of events, the date, time, and location. You can also include your wedding website link on this card.

If you are having a destination wedding and a reception at home, you can simply state on the main invitation card that a "reception/celebration to follow" at home. Guests will understand that the reception will be held at your home location.

For small destination weddings, include the typical information on the main card and direct guests to a travel agent company or your wedding website for accommodation options.

When it comes to the wording of your invitation, consider the type of wedding you're having, the location, and the cost. For a formal wedding, use more formal and sophisticated language. For a semi-formal wedding, aim for formal to neutral wording with classy puns or references. For a casual wedding, you can use informal language, puns, or fun references.

Finally, consider including a "no pressure" memo on your invitation to let guests know that you would love for them to attend, but you understand if they cannot due to financial or other reasons.

Wording ideas for different wedding styles

Formal Destination Wedding Invitation

Formal destination wedding invitations often feature elegant designs, classic fonts and layouts, and high-quality paper. The wording is typically formal and adheres to traditional invitation etiquette. It may include honorifics and formal language. Here's an example:

"Request the pleasure of your company

At the marriage of their daughter

Saturday, the twentieth of June

Two thousand twenty-two

At six o'clock in the evening

Reception to follow"

Casual Destination Wedding Invitation

Casual destination wedding invitations have a more relaxed design. They might include playful fonts, vibrant colours, and creative elements that reflect the destination's vibe. The wording is often informal and may incorporate humour or personal touches. Here's an example:

"Join us for an adventure of a lifetime

As we say 'I do' on the sandy shores of Bali

Jane Smith and John Doe

Invite you to celebrate their love

Saturday, June 20th, 2022

At 6 o'clock in the evening

Cocktails, dinner, and dancing to follow"

Romantic and Elegant Destination Wedding Invitation

"With hearts intertwined and a love that knows no bounds, Bridget and Michael invite you to join them on the shores of Lake Como as they exchange vows. Please join us for a romantic celebration under the stars on the 7th of May at Villa Pliniana. Your presence will make our destination wedding a truly elegant affair."

Bohemian and Whimsical Destination Wedding Invitation

"Underneath the open skies and surrounded by Venice's beauty, Camila and John invite you to their bohemian celebration of love. Join us for a free-spirited wedding on the 16th of July at The Gritti Palace. Embrace the magic of the moment as two souls become one."

Beach Wedding Invitation

"Join us for a seaside celebration as Alice and Lucas exchange vows on the Santorini shores. Please join us for a seaside wedding on the 5th of August at Fanari Villas, where the sun meets the sea. Your presence is the only gift we need to make our day complete."

Tropical Wedding Invitation

"Escape with us to a Bali island paradise! Clara and Oliver request the pleasure of your company at their tropical wedding. Join us on the 12th of October at Villa Vedas, where palm trees sway and love is in the air. Your presence will make our day unforgettable."

How to politely request guests' presence without pressuring them

When it comes to destination weddings, guests are faced with a much bigger ask than they would be for a local wedding. As well as choosing an outfit and a gift, they must also schedule a flight, book accommodation, and organise travel to and from the venue. It's therefore crucial to include all the information a guest will need to make the trip as easy as possible, while also ensuring they get to the right place at the right time.

Keep it simple

The last thing you want is to confuse your guests or overwhelm them with too much information on one card. For destination weddings, it's best to send multi-card invitation suites or a multi-page booklet-style invitation that allows you to break up all the details.

Excite your guests

In addition to the basic information, your main invitation card can include a few words that excite your guests about the location. For example, you could mention the ocean, sea, sun, sunsets, or travel. You could also emphasise why their presence is so important to you.

Provide a clear call to action

Don't leave your guests hanging—tell them what to do next! For example, tell them to call your travel agent or RSVP via your destination wedding website.

Be mindful of the costs

Due to the costs involved in attending a destination wedding, it's considered poor etiquette to include gift registry details on your invitations or wedding website. Instead, let your guests know that their presence is present enough.

Be generous with plus ones

When it comes to a destination wedding, plus ones should be offered to all significant others. Asking someone to travel solo to attend your wedding is a big ask! If you have any single guests who won't know anyone else, it's also a nice idea to include a plus one so they have a travel companion.

Be mindful of guests with children

Asking parents to attend a destination wedding without their children can put them in a tough position, especially if it's an overseas trip. If you really want the parents to be there, you may need to consider extending an invitation to their kids, too.

Add a "no pressure" memo

Although you want your guests to attend, it's important to let them know that there's no pressure if they can't make it. Some guests may not have the financial means, others may not be able to get the time off work, and some may have situations or people they can't have anyone else care for. A "no pressure" memo is a great way to alleviate any negative feelings they may have about not being able to attend. This could be a sentence or two at the bottom of your invitation or invitation insert, letting your guests know that you would love for them to be there, but you understand if they can't. Here are some examples:

• "While we would love to celebrate with you, we completely understand if you cannot make it. For those who will not be able to join us, we will be live-streaming our ceremony. We look forward to celebrating with you near or far!"
• "If you cannot attend, no worries! Celebrate with us in any way."
• "Travel is not possible for everyone. That's why we will live-stream our wedding for those who cannot make it."
• "Whether you celebrate with us near or far, you're in our hearts."

When to send your invites

Destination weddings require more planning and time for your guests, so it's always best to give them plenty of time to prepare. Your loved ones may need to budget for their trip, make travel arrangements, and make arrangements with work or childcare. With that in mind, we suggest sending your save-the-dates around 9-12 months before a destination wedding, with formal invitations to follow around 4-6 months before the wedding. This will give your guests ample time to request time off work, as most companies require at least a 45-60 day notice for paid time off.

If your wedding is outside your country of residence, your guests will need to obtain or renew their passports. According to the U.S. Department of State, processing a new passport can take 10-13 weeks for a standard process or 7-9 weeks for an expedited process. Therefore, it's safe to assume your guests will need a minimum of three to four months to get their affairs in order.

However, there is no rule against sending invitations early, especially if you have all your wedding details worked out ahead of time. Sending your invitations as early as possible gives your guests a chance to book hotels and flights early on, which can save them money and increase the likelihood of their attendance.

If you are having a destination wedding with weekend events such as a welcome party or a beach BBQ, include these details on your response card. You should also include a weekend itinerary insert with the basic information, such as a schedule of events and the date, time, and location of each event.

How to address the issue of kids or adults-only

Deciding whether to invite children to your destination wedding is a tricky issue to navigate. Here are some tips on how to address the matter in your invitations:

Be Subtle

It is generally not recommended to explicitly state "adults only" or "no children" on the invitation. Instead, you can hint at the nature of the event by including phrases like "intimate ceremony" or "cocktail reception" in a luxurious or sophisticated setting, which are usually child-free events. You could also mention the venue being an "adults-only resort" to give guests a clear indication.

Address Envelopes Correctly

A good way to indicate who is invited is to use inner envelopes. Only list the names of those invited on the inner envelope, making it clear from the outset who is included. For example, write the parents' names on the outer envelope and only the parents' names on the inner envelope.

Be Clear on RSVP Cards

Be explicit on your RSVP cards to avoid any confusion. You could write something like, "We have reserved [number] spots in your honour" or "We've reserved [number] seats in your honour". This makes it obvious how many people are invited from each family. You could also include a line for them to write their names.

Spread the Word Verbally

Ask your immediate family, wedding party members and friends to help spread the word. This way, guests with children will have time to secure childcare.

Put the Information on Your Wedding Website

Include a note in the FAQ section of your wedding website about your adults-only decision. You can also recommend babysitting options in the area, which is a thoughtful touch.

Be Sensitive

Remember that a child-free wedding can be a sensitive issue for guests with children. Be sensitive when dealing with upset parents, but remain firm in your decision. If you are happy to do so, you could consider hiring a babysitter for any children, if your budget allows.

Frequently asked questions