Going to a Destination Wedding? Here Are the Top 7 Do’s and Don’ts

Trust me, you don’t want to be that guest at a destination wedding. You know the one I’m talking about — the one that unintentionally causes a scene, has a few too many drinks, tries to make extra plans outside of the wedding activities already scheduled, comes totally unorganized, or asks the soon-to-be-wed couple if they’re paying for everyone’s travel and accommodations. Not only are there best practices for behaviour while you’re on the actual wedding trip, but there are also a number of things to be aware of during the preparation process. 

Keep reading for 7 fool-proof ways you can ensure that you’re being a courteous guest while also making sure you have a fun and memorable time! 

Don’t Be Late

Show up to planned wedding events on time! This includes any welcome parties, extra activities or excursions, the ceremony, and reception. After all, you’re on this trip to spend time with the lovely couple so do your best to be there with them at the agreed upon times. There’s nothing worse than being the one who’s even 5 minutes late to the wedding ceremony, making an awkward delayed entrance, trying not to interrupt the main event. If you’re someone who tends to run behind schedule, plan to get ready early and save yourself (and the couple) any headaches. 

Gift Giving

When you’re a guest at a destination wedding, it’s standard practice that your attendance is considered your gift to the couple. They understand that you’re spending your hard earned money and vacation time to travel for their big day, so it’s not typically expected that you spend any more on a physical gift. That’s not to say that you can’t give a gift if you really want to though! If your heart is set on giving a wedding present to the newlyweds, pick something light and compact so it’s easy for you and them to travel with, or send it directly to their home address. It’s never fun being stuck with an overweight suitcase that you have to pay additional fees for at the airport, or getting home from a trip and finding a fragile (not to mention sentimental) item broken in your luggage.

Cost Concerns

Want to attend the wedding but worried about the price of travel and accommodations? Never assume that the bride and groom are covering your travel expenses! Weddings are pricey enough to plan, could you imagine how much it would cost for everyone’s flights and hotels to be paid for as well? Talk to the couple and see if they have a wedding travel agent or event planner hired to help organize their big celebration. Odds are they can help you find a reasonable solution to your budgeting concerns without having to sacrifice your attendance. 

Extra Tip Alert!

Use the recommended accommodations for your stay. Couples will oftentimes secure a room block or determine their desired resort in advance and encourage their guests to book there. Do everything you can to follow their suggestions on this one. There’s a good chance there will be other scheduled events outside of the wedding itself so it’s nice to be close-by and be a part of the wedding group.

RSVP On Time

It’s good practice to RSVP to any wedding event as soon as you can, regardless of the location. When it comes to a destination wedding however, it’s even more important to be considerate of all factors involved and how much effort it takes to coordinate things such as room blocks, post-wedding excursions, and even booking your own travel accommodations. Oftentimes an RSVP deadline will be provided by the couple on invitations, so use this as your guide. Be respectful of their desired timeframe and don’t ask them to add you to the list of attendees after their set deadline has passed. Similarly, don’t initially respond saying that you will attend and then change your response to “no” after a period of time, unless a true emergency has come up. Chances are that you have already been accounted for in terms of table settings, the amount of food ordered, and seating arrangements for the ceremony; changing your response only adds unnecessary stress to the couple and event planner. 

Inviting Extra Guests or Kids

This might seem obvious but somehow, it happens… Don’t invite other people on the trip unless the couple getting married have said it’s an open-invite or that you’re welcome to bring a plus one. This trip is special and intended to celebrate them. The last thing they’ll want is a surprise guest tagging along that they haven’t budgeted for, who they might not know, or who they simply don’t want there in the first place.This goes for any kids you might have as well. Unless the couple getting married is clear that their event is child-friendly, don’t bring them along and treat it like a family vacation. 

Wedding Guest Attire Guidelines

Here’s another one you may find self-explanatory, that actually ends up being a cause for concern more often than you’d think. Don’t wear white!!! Cream, champagne and ivory all fall into this category as well. Sometimes blush and taupe tones can even come a little too close to the bride’s attire. If you’re uncertain if your light pink or minty green dress is inappropriate, either ask for someone’s opinion or just stay on the safe side and pick something different. Many couples will outline a dress code for their wedding ceremony, so be respectful of any additional guidelines they might have provided on top of the “no white” rule. 

General Do’s and Don’ts