Destination Wedding

Destination Wedding Etiquette

When should I have my destination wedding?

This depends on your schedules and availability, but seasonal changes make a major impact. If you want to take advantage of the local environment with outdoor festivities, check the average rainfall by month and ensure that you’re not positioning your event right in the middle of hurricane or monsoon season. Be aware of fluctuations in tourism; high season translates to expensive booking rates and congested sights, but low season can mean empty streets and closed hotspots.

When do I notify guests of my destination wedding?

Save-the-dates should be mailed eight to 12 months before the wedding. “The official invites should go out no later than three to four months before,” notes Arons. An extra-long lead time will allow guests to make arrangements but can be a bit laxer for domestic destinations.

Who pays for guest accommodations?

Guests are traditionally expected to cover their personal lodging and transportation expenses, but it’s important that you make this as gracefully clear as possible. Tactfully lay out expectations by providing recommendations to accommodations or booking websites. If you’ve booked a hotel room block, emphasize that each guest needs to reserve their own room within it. Your wedding website and save-the-dates will be your best tools in getting the word out.