With the growing popularity of destination weddings, a new set of "rules" has developed. Knowing basic destination-wedding etiquette will help you and your guests have a memorable celebration and vacation all in one. When planning your wedding, keep the following in mind:
Give Your Guests Advance Notice
You will want to send out your wedding invitations earlier than you would if your ceremony were closer to home. This will give your guests plenty of room to determine whether they can get time off from work or other obligations.
Should You Have an Engagement Party?
Engagement party attendees expect to give a gift. For this reason, it's considered bad destination-wedding etiquette to invite anyone to an engagement party who isn't also invited to the wedding or reception.
Research Travel and Hotel Options
Generally, your guests are expected to cover their own travel and hotel expenses. You can make this easier for them by looking into travel and hotel deals yourself. Make calls and search the web for the most comfortable and cost-effective travel and hotel choices, then pass the information along. Your guests will thank you!
Set Up Your Own Wedding Website
A wedding website is the perfect way to keep your guests informed of travel and accommodation options. You can also include information such as expected weather and links to amenities and attractions in the area. If you've never set up your own website before, it's easier than you may think. A quick search online will reveal a wealth of hosts who can provide you with a pre-formatted (and free!) site of your very own. Keep information current, and e-mail your guests each time you make significant changes.
Greet Your Guests
Your guests may be arriving at different times or on different flights. If possible, meet them at the airport, especially if you're familiar with the area and they aren't. If you're too busy, ask your best man and maid of honor to help. Make sure to include a clear map of the area in each wedding invitation. Include your mobile-phone number as well, so wayward attendees can call you for clarification on the drive from the airport.
Keep the Party Going
Write a wedding itinerary and hand it to guests as they arrive. Make sure to include those times that you and your new spouse have set aside for just the two of you (for instance, a special dinner) so your guests can plan their own activities. Use clip art and borders to spice up the itinerary and to make it a keepsake for your wedding scrapbook.
Have a Local Reception
It's likely that your destination wedding will be much smaller than a local wedding. You will be more comfortable inviting 20 guests rather than 200; some couples invite only the best man, maid of honor, and the parents of the bride and groom. To prevent hurt feelings, you may want to plan an informal reception close to home. You can even host it at your parents' house or your apartment, if you have room. Give yourselves about two weeks between getting home from the wedding and holding your local reception; you'll need the break. But be sure to send the party invitations at the same time you send the invitations to your wedding. This will prevent more-distant friends and family members from feeling left out.
Destination weddings have opened up a whole new world of options for couples and their loved ones. Using basic etiquette, courtesy, and common sense, you can ensure that a good time is had by all, whether at home or abroad.