A Guest’s Guide to Destination Wedding Etiquette

You’re invited to a destination wedding! Get your passport ready and plan to celebrate the union of two special people. Before you pack your bags though, check out our guide to destination wedding etiquette.

Skip the Gifts

Not only will the couple understand if you decide to pass on the wedding gift (the gift is your presence, after all!), but if you do want to give them something, wait until after they’ve returned from their trip to give it to them. The last thing the bride and groom need to deal with is lugging even more items back home or paying additional baggage fees. Do them a favor and drop it off at their house or mail it to them to avoid the hassle.

RSVP As Soon As Possible

Since a destination wedding is on the untraditional side, expect to receive a save-the-date in your mailbox a year or more before the wedding. The wedding couple want to give their guests as much notice as possible, so they can save up vacation time and money to travel. Likewise, as soon as you know you can attend the wedding, we recommend submitting your RSVP on the couple’s wedding website and reserving your room (more on that below). Just like you, the bride and groom will want plenty of notice about who can and cannot make it.  This helps them budget accordingly for their ceremony and reception.  It’s also the courteous thing to do, as hunting down guests for RSVPs can add unnecessary stress to the couple at an already overwhelming (but exciting!) time in their lives.

Book Your Room in the Couple’s Room Block

If the wedding couple is having a destination wedding, it is very likely they are working under a group contract with a certified destination wedding specialist. In fact, it’s very rare to plan a destination wedding without guidance from a professional, as it takes an extensive amount of research, collaboration, and planning. Prior to sending out save-the-dates, destination wedding couples work closely with their travel expert to negotiate incredible rates, amenities for the group, and resort credits that their guests can use throughout their stay. Booking within the group also ensures room availability and the group rates the couple has locked in for you. Don’t be “that wedding guest” who searches for better prices outside the group contract, when in reality, it does a massive disservice to the couple because they lose wedding amenities and end up paying the difference in price themselves!

Go with the Flow!

Your room may not be ready when you arrive at the hotel, the swim-up bar may not carry your favorite brand of beer, and housekeeping may forget to bring you fresh towels. These things happen but don’t let these minor annoyances ruin your trip. If something major happens, by all means, do not involve the bride and groom. Instead, contact the Concierge or front desk at the hotel or reach out to us, the destination wedding specialists who helped you with your travel arrangements. We’re here to help all of you have a wonderful time celebrating a very special couple.

Be sure to follow these tips and I guarantee everyone will have a great time at the wedding! For more information on destination weddings or booking your next romantic getaway, contact me today at kate@katestravel.com.