You’ve heard all about what you should do, but what about what you shouldn’t do? Here are seven destination wedding “don’ts” for when you start planning:

Don’t limit your guest list

Most couples who choose to host a destination wedding enjoy the fact that they can spend quality time with their loved ones in a laid-back and stress-free environment. You don’t need to keep your guest list small to achieve this though. Most all-inclusive resorts offer better perks for larger weddings. Go ahead and invite all your besties and make memories that will keep them reliving your wedding for years to come!

Don’t Pay for Your Guests

The bride and groom are not responsible for paying for their guests’ travel expenses. In some cases, the couple may offer to pay for a portion of their bridal party’s accommodations, but it’s not very common. Be sure to let your guests know that while you’d love to have them at your wedding, you understand completely if they aren’t able to attend. This will make it clear that there are no hard feelings and you can always celebrate with them later on.

Don’t Forget to Arrange Transportation

The last thing your guests will want to do after a long flight is to arrive at an unfamiliar destination with no transportation lined up. Be sure to work with a destination wedding specialist so no one is left high and dry at the airport. Typically, roundtrip transfers can be factored into the price of your hotel, so your guests can be picked up and whisked off to the resort with ease.

Don’t Fail to Consider the Season

It’s important to consider the season before you lock in your wedding date. For example, holidays can be the most expensive time to travel, while the off-season can offer some pretty fantastic prices. Unsure about hurricane season? Don’t be! Although hurricane season typically runs from June until November, the chances of a hurricane passing through on your vacation are extremely low. Read more on this, here.

Don’t Forget to Tip Your Vendors

Tipping properly is something that shouldn’t be overlooked. And while you’ll likely be working with an on-site wedding designer who will oversee these things, it certainly doesn’t hurt to do a little research on tipping etiquette before you get there. Keep in mind, over-tipping is better than not tipping enough, so just be sure you look into it beforehand. 

Don’t Wear the Wrong Attire

You’ll probably be getting married somewhere tropical, so you’ll want to say “yes” to a dress that’s lightweight and flowy, like organza, silk, or chiffon. Be sure you do the same favor for your bridesmaids when selecting their dresses.  After all, sweaty pictures are the worst! For the guys, a linen or lighter-colored suit is ideal. We suggest packing an extra shirt for the groom to prevent sweat stains after taking pictures in the hot sun. Want to avoid the heat completely? Then perhaps an evening ceremony (when the temperatures have dropped) is more your style! 

Don’t Check Your Wedding Dress

Packing your wedding dress in your checked bag at the airport is a big no-no! Lost luggage is always a possibility and you simply cannot afford to take the risk of losing your wedding dress. Pack your wedding dress and other valuables like jewelry, shoes, and veil in your carry-on. The same goes for the groom, as he cannot afford to lose his wedding attire either. Luckily, packing these items isn’t as hard as you think when you follow these easy steps!

Well, there you have it,  the seven “don’ts” of destination wedding planning! If you missed my blog on destination wedding “do’s,” then click here. Thinking about planning a destination wedding soon? Then message me today to get started!