Receiving an invitation to a destination wedding is both an honor and a logistical challenge. While the idea of celebrating love in an exotic location sounds exciting, the reality involves budgeting, planning, and juggling other personal responsibilities.
Before you start packing your suitcase or booking your flight, it’s important to weigh several key factors that go beyond simply RSVPing “yes.”
From financial considerations to travel preparations, here are 16 important things to keep in mind before committing to attend a destination wedding.
1. Love Your Bank Account First:
Before anything else, assess the costs associated with the destination wedding trip. This includes running through all potential expenses to determine if you can realistically afford it.
It’s crucial not to go into debt, no matter how much you care for the couple. Make sure to budget for some emergency cash as well.
2. Check the Kid Policy:
If you have children, the guest policy is a vital consideration. You need to verify if children are invited, as some destination weddings, and even their venues, may be adults-only.
3. Assess Your Vacation Days:
Having available vacation days is just the first step. You must also decide if you want to use your valuable vacation time for the wedding.
The source notes that some people feel destination weddings are selfish for requiring guests to use their limited vacation days on an event that might not feel like a traditional vacation.
4. Decline With Grace (If You Can’t Attend):
The source includes advice for situations where you decide not to attend. It’s important to decline gracefully, acknowledging that the couple invited you because you are important to them.
If you decline, you should push aside any negative feelings and explain your reasons, such as financial constraints, having young children, or limited vacation time, as these are legitimate reasons couples should expect.
(Note: While this point addresses declining, the source includes it as one of the 16 overall considerations when invited).
5. Accept Within the Deadline:
If you decide to attend, it’s recommended to RSVP as soon as possible. Regardless of any external factors preventing an immediate response, it is essential to reply by the specified deadline.
6. Checking Your Passport’s Expiration Date:
For international destination weddings, check your passport’s expiration date well in advance. Many countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates.
If you don’t have a passport or it’s nearing expiration, begin the application or renewal process immediately.
7. Booking Reservations in Advance:
Destination weddings require prompt action regarding travel and accommodation. Don’t delay booking your flight and hotel.
Couples often secure blocks of rooms at a discounted rate, so book quickly if you wish to take advantage of these.
8. Adding Buffer Days:
A significant mistake to avoid is booking your flight to arrive on the wedding day itself. To mitigate risks like delays, arrive at least one day before the wedding. If you are traveling across time zones, consider adding even more buffer days.
9. Bookmarking the Wedding Website:
Most engaged couples create a wedding website containing important information about their event.
For a destination wedding, it’s particularly crucial to bookmark this site and check it regularly for updates, as waiting until the last minute could mean missing critical details.
10. Considering a Card:
The couple’s wedding website should ideally indicate their preferences regarding gifts. They might state that gifts are not expected, understanding the expenses guests are already incurring.
Even if gifts aren’t expected, bringing or sending a card is a thoughtful gesture.
11. Mailing the Gift (If Giving One):
If the couple does expect gifts, avoid bringing a physical gift with you to the destination. Transporting gifts can be inconvenient for the newlyweds. The source suggests mailing the gift or giving it in person before or after the wedding.
12. Using Your Carry-On Wisely:
Your carry-on bag is your lifeline, especially for a destination wedding. Pack essential necessities needed for the wedding festivities in your carry-on in case your checked luggage is lost. Leave items that are merely “nice to haves” in your checked bag.
13. Researching the Destination:
It’s wise to research the destination beforehand to know what goods are available. If you have specific needs like preferred toiletries or dietary restrictions that make you a picky eater, it might be better to pack those items if you are unsure they can be purchased locally.
14. Remembering It’s Not Totally Your Vacation:
A key reality check for destination wedding guests is that the event is not solely about you.
Even though you are spending time and money to be there, attending means your freedom to explore spontaneously or party non-stop might be limited. Consider whether the couple would approve of your planned activities.
15. Planning Communication:
Figure out how you will communicate while abroad. Check if your current cell phone plan includes international data.
A more cost-effective option is often to purchase a local SIM card upon arrival, which can provide access to text, data, and calls anywhere with cell tower reception in that country.
16. Avoiding International ATM Fees:
International ATM fees can increase the cost of an already expensive trip. Some financial services, like Schwab, offer debit cards with unlimited ATM fee refunds at millions of ATMs worldwide, helping you avoid these charges.
Alicia Richards