Travel-Themed Wedding Invites: Creative, Fun Ideas For Your Big Day

Planning a wedding is an exciting time, and destination weddings offer a chance to embark on a romantic journey with your loved ones. When it comes to destination wedding invitations, it's important to strike a balance between creativity and practicality. Here are some tips to create an informative and exquisite invitation for your extraordinary day:

- Send out your invitations early, especially for a wedding abroad, to give your guests enough time to plan their attendance.

- Include essential information such as names, destination, date, time, location, and RSVP details.

- Provide accommodation and travel information, such as nearby airports and flight details.

- Outline the itinerary and activities, especially for multi-day celebrations, so guests know what to expect and pack accordingly.

- Indicate the dress code or attire advice, considering the wedding location, theme, and style.

- Use language that reflects the spirit of your destination wedding, whether it's a beachside affair or a grand mountain adventure.

- Incorporate illustrations or images that capture the beauty of your chosen location, such as palm trees or snow-capped mountains.

- Choose a font that complements the formality and theme of your event.

- Consider creating a wedding website to include more detailed information, such as links to hotels, full itineraries, and other wedding-related events.

Design and tone

The design and tone of your wedding invitations should capture the essence of your chosen destination and wedding style. Here are some tips to help you create beautiful and informative travel wedding invitations:

Choose a Design that Reflects Your Destination and Style

Incorporate images or illustrations that encapsulate the beauty of your chosen location. Whether it's palm trees for a beachside wedding or snow-capped mountains for a mountain retreat, these visuals can transport your guests even before they board a plane. The overall style of your wedding, such as rustic, elegant, or tropical, can also inspire your invitation design.

Select a Font that Matches the Formality of Your Event

The font you choose can express the level of formality you intend for your event. For example, a flowing script might complement a beach wedding, while a classic serif font could align with a historic castle setting or an elegant formal wedding.

Include Practical Details with a Separate Insert

While creativity is essential, don't forget the practical information your guests need. Include essential details like the date, time, location, and accommodation options. Consider adding a separate insert with travel tips, local attractions, and itinerary details to provide more space for this information without cluttering your official invite.

Provide a Range of Accommodation Options

It is essential to provide a range of accommodation options for your guests, especially for destination weddings, as guests may need to book their stay early. If your celebration spans multiple days, let your guests know so they can plan accordingly. Include information on the nearest airport and its distance from the venue.

Outline the Itinerary and Activities

For a multi-day celebration, provide a brief outline of the events and activities your guests can expect. This could include pool parties, after-party activities, boat trips, or hiking excursions.

Specify the Dress Code or Attire Advice

Depending on your wedding location, theme, and style, include advice on appropriate attire for your guests. This could range from beachwear to black-tie attire or a specific theme.

Set Up a Wedding Website for More Detailed Information

If there is too much information to include on your invitations, consider setting up a wedding website. This platform can provide more space for detailed information, links to hotels, a full itinerary, and other wedding-related events like welcome parties and after-parties.

Send Out Invitations Early

For a wedding that requires travel, it is essential to send out your invitations as early as possible. This gives your guests more time to plan their attendance and allows you to make informed decisions about your final wedding plans based on the number of attendees.

Remember, your wedding invitations are the first glimpse your guests will have of your special day, so take the time to create something that reflects the tone and style of your celebration.

Practical details

Names of the Couple

Naturally, the names of the couple taking centre stage are crucial. This is usually the first piece of information on the invitation and sets the tone for the event.

Destination and Location

For a wedding abroad, it is important to clearly state that the wedding will be held in a different location and specify the destination country and city/town. This is crucial information for your guests, who will need to plan their travel accordingly.

Date, Time, and Location of the Wedding

These core details are essential for your guests to plan their attendance and RSVP. Be sure to include the date, time, and specific location of the wedding ceremony.

Accommodation and Travel Information

Providing options for accommodation is especially important for destination weddings, as guests may need to book their stay early to secure their preferred choice. Inform guests about any room blocks or group discounts you have arranged. Also, mention the nearest airport and provide directions from the airport to the wedding venue.

Itinerary and Activities

If your celebration spans multiple days, outline the events and activities your guests can expect. This could include a pool party, after-party, boat trip, or horse riding. Giving your guests a glimpse of the wedding experiences will build excitement and help them plan their time effectively.

RSVP Deadline

Setting an RSVP deadline is crucial for finalising numbers, creating table plans, and making other necessary arrangements. Encourage your guests to respond by a certain date to help you with the planning process.

Attire and Packing Essentials

Depending on your wedding location, theme, and style, providing a dress code or attire advice is helpful for your guests. If you are having a beach wedding, a black-tie event, or a themed celebration, let your guests know so they can pack and dress appropriately. Inform them about any special activities, such as a pool party or a themed welcome reception, so they can bring swimwear, hiking boots, or other necessary items.

Wedding Website

If there is too much information to include on your invitations, consider setting up a wedding website. This can be a central hub for more detailed information, including hotel links, a full itinerary, travel tips, local attractions, and other details about your wedding and associated events.

Itinerary and activities

A wedding itinerary is a timeline of the day of the wedding or the entire wedding weekend. It is important to include an itinerary in your wedding invitations to establish organisation and avoid failures. Here is a suggested itinerary and activities for a destination wedding:

Friday

• 6:00 pm: Welcome dinner at [location]
• 8:00 pm: Drinks and games at [location]

Saturday

• 10:00 am: Brunch at [location]
• 1:00 pm: Wedding ceremony at [location]
• 2:00 pm: Wedding photos at [location]
• 5:00 pm: Cocktail hour at [location]
• 6:00 pm: Wedding reception and dinner at [location]
• 8:00 pm: First dance and cake cutting
• 9:00 pm: Dancing and celebrations

Sunday

• 11:00 am: Recovery lunch at [location]
• 2:00 pm: Beach BBQ at [location]

It is important to include the dates, times, and locations of each event in your wedding invitation. You may also want to include travel and accommodation tips, as well as a local map to help your guests navigate the area.

RSVP deadline

When it comes to your RSVP deadline, it's important to give your guests enough time to respond, especially if they need to make travel plans. Here are some tips and suggestions for setting the RSVP deadline for your travel wedding:

Timing is Key

It is recommended that you set the RSVP deadline for your travel wedding at least four to six weeks before the wedding. This gives you enough time to confirm the final headcount with your vendors, such as the caterer, venue, and transportation company. Sending the invitations two to three months before the wedding is a good idea, giving your guests a month to respond. This way, your guests are less likely to have already made other plans, and you'll have their responses well before the big day.

Be Mindful of Holidays and Busy Travel Seasons

If your wedding is taking place after a busy holiday season, such as in January, it's a good idea to send the invitations before the holidays. This way, your guests are aware of the wedding expenses and can plan their budgets accordingly. Sending the invites in October, for example, can help you get ahead of the holiday craze and ensure your guests have enough time to respond.

Consider Your Particular Situation

The RSVP deadline may also depend on certain factors, such as group rates for your guests or a 'free wedding package' at an all-inclusive resort. Communicate with your travel agent, venue, and wedding coordinator to understand when they need a final headcount. For example, if your travel agent or venue needs the final headcount by December 26, set the RSVP deadline for your guests around December 15. This gives you some buffer time to gather all the information and provide an accurate headcount to your vendors.

Make it Easy for Your Guests

To increase the chances of receiving timely RSVPs, consider including a pre-addressed and pre-stamped return envelope with your invitations. You can also provide options for guests to respond digitally through your wedding website, giving them multiple ways to respond.

Be Clear and Engaging

Ensure that the RSVP date is clearly stated and easy to read on the invitation card. You can also include engaging calls to action on the response card, such as "RSVP with a song that will keep you on the dance floor" or "RSVP with your favorite memory of the bride and groom." This makes the process more interactive and may encourage guests to respond promptly.

Remember, it's important to give your guests enough time to plan their travel and respond to your invitation, especially for a destination wedding. By setting a reasonable RSVP deadline and providing clear communication, you'll be well on your way to finalizing the guest list and all the associated details for your special day!

Attire and packing essentials

When it comes to attire and packing essentials for a travel wedding, there are a few key things to keep in mind. Firstly, it's important to dress appropriately for the location, season, type of ceremony, and dress code. Here are some general guidelines:

• For a church wedding, dress respectfully and conservatively. Avoid miniskirts, sleeveless tops, and low-cut dresses. Opt for a dress or skirt for women and nice slacks or a suit for men.
• For a beach wedding, dress casually and choose lightweight, breathable fabrics. A sundress or maxi dress for women and flat sandals are good options.
• For a bar or evening reception, you can add a bit of glamour. Women can wear a simple yet flattering cocktail dress, while men can opt for a suit.

Now, let's break down the packing essentials for a travel wedding:

• Rehearsal Dinner Outfit: The formality of the rehearsal dinner can vary, so check the invitation for the dress code. If none is specified, err on the side of semi-casual attire.
• Travel-ready toiletries: Bring your usual toiletries, including shampoo, conditioner, body wash, razor, shaving cream, hair products, toothbrush, toothpaste, and any other personal care items you may need.
• Casual Outfits: Depending on the duration of your trip, pack some casual clothes for exploring or pre-wedding activities. Jeans, a simple shirt, and comfortable shoes should suffice.
• Accessories for the wedding outfit: Don't forget to pack shoes, jewellery, a sweater, a purse, and any other accessories that will complete your wedding outfit.
• Invitation Suite: Bring the entire invitation suite or take pictures of each page before you leave, so you have all the necessary information, including the address of the venue and the timing of the events.
• Wedding Card or Gift: If you haven't sent a gift already, bring it to the wedding or send it ahead of time. Even if you've sent a gift, a card with a heartfelt message is always appreciated.
• Post-Wedding Brunch Outfit: Pack an outfit for the day after the wedding, whether you're invited to a brunch with the couple or planning your own activities before travelling home.
• Other Essentials: Don't forget items like allergy medication, a reusable water bottle, makeup setting spray, and brightening eye drops.

Frequently asked questions