Worried about the Etiquette of Your Destination Wedding? What Should You Keep in Mind?

If you and your betrothed are planning a destination wedding, you may be excited at the prospect of marrying your beloved at a location more memorable and unique than your small hometown church or reception hall. However, while a destination wedding in an exotic locale can be a great way for a couple to begin their married life together, planning a long-distance wedding—and dealing with the various questions and dilemmas put forth by your guests—can be exhausting. What etiquette rules do you need to consider when planning your destination wedding? Read on to learn more about what you'll need to do to avoid making any faux pas at your own wedding.

Who pays for a destination wedding?

For those who know funds are tight for certain friends or family members, asking these people to spend hundreds—sometimes thousands—of dollars to travel for your wedding can be uncomfortable. You may wonder if you have some obligation to help defray travel or lodging costs for your guests, particularly those who are part of the wedding party or who are on a fixed income.

However, considering the etiquette rules behind more traditional guest accommodations may help you feel better. It's not usually customary for the bride and groom (or their families) to pay transportation costs for out-of-town wedding guests—and with a destination wedding, all your guests will be of the out-of-town variety. Therefore, you shouldn't feel any obligation to pay hotel or airfare costs for guests who plan to attend your destination wedding unless the person for whom you're picking up the tab is indispensable to the wedding and cannot afford to travel on his or her own. 

What are your obligations to ensure your guests' comfort before, during, and after your wedding?

Although your wedding may be the one day in your life that is truly "your" day, a good host or hostess is always cognizant of his or her guests' comfort as well. You shouldn't be expected to entertain your out-of-town guests during their entire trip, but planning a few special events that can include everyone (from the rehearsal dinner to a goodbye luncheon the morning after the wedding) can give your wedding guests a sense of inclusion that will help them feel that the trip was well worth the cost and trouble of coming. Be sure to work with your caterers to ensure they have the proper head count for any gatherings you plan outside the wedding itself, as keeping your guests fed is often key to their enjoyment of an event.

For more information about weddings, consult a professional like Georgios Banquets, Quality Inn & Suites Conference Centre.