Destination Wedding Q&A (Everything You Need to Know!)

1. What’s the secret to a stress-free destination wedding?

• Start early: Give yourself plenty of time to plan and your guests plenty of time to RSVP.
• Communicate clearly: Share all the need-to-know info on your wedding website.
• Go with the flow: Things might not go perfectly, but your day will still be magical.

💡 Pro Tip: Work with a destination wedding travel agent from the start. They’ll be your lifeline for navigating destination-specific logistics! Your resort will have an on-site coordinator to help you plan everything, so you don’t need to hire a wedding planner (although you certainly can if you wish!).

See my list of what important questions to ask your resort wedding coordinator!

2. Do we need to visit the destination before the wedding?

While it’s not required, visiting your destination ahead of time can be super helpful for planning. It’s one of those “nice to have but don’t need it” things.

Site visits give you a chance to:

• Tour potential venues.
• Meet with local vendors.
• Get a feel for the vibe of the area.

💡 Pro Tip: If visiting isn’t possible, lean on your wedding planner, venue coordinator, or trusted reviews to make decisions remotely. Tons of brides plan sites unseen! This is why there’s a whole slew of Facebook groups and forums online to help you plan. 

Check out my guide to whether or not a site visit is really necessary.

3. Do we have to pay for our guests’ travel and accommodations?

Short answer: No.
Long answer: While guests generally cover their own travel and lodging, it’s thoughtful to ease the process by:

• Working with a destination wedding travel agent to block rooms at a hotel or resort and to obtain group pricing.
• Sharing travel tips and affordable options on your wedding website.

💡 Pro Tip: Consider hosting one or two group events (like a welcome dinner or farewell brunch) to thank everyone for making the trip.

4. Who pays for the destination wedding?

As the couple, you’re generally responsible for covering:

• Venue and vendor costs (ceremony, reception, photographer, etc.).
• Group activities you choose to host, like a welcome dinner or farewell brunch.
• Any special extras, like welcome bags or transportation for guests between venues.

💡 FYI: Just because your wedding is at an all-inclusive resort does NOT mean  your wedding is also included! Destination weddings can sometimes cost as much as an at-home wedding! Not always, but things add up!

See my tips on how to have a destination wedding on a budget.

5. Who do you invite to your destination wedding?

The beauty of a destination wedding is that it’s your call. Keep it intimate with family and close friends, or invite a bigger group if your budget allows. It’s totally okay to limit the guest list to those you truly want by your side, and don’t feel guilty about it! Lots of couples invite:

• Focus on family and close friends.
• Don’t feel pressured to invite coworkers, distant relatives, or casual acquaintances.

💡 Etiquette Tip: If someone’s feelings get hurt, let them know your decision was based on logistics or budget. For those not invited, consider hosting a casual celebration back home after the wedding so everyone feels included! We knew we wanted a small destination wedding to keep it intimate and to keep our costs down, and we limited it to close family and friends. We had a total of 18 and wouldn’t have changed a thing!

6. How do we word our invites to avoid confusion?

Clear communication is everything! Your guests may not be familiar with what a destination wedding is, or how it works. Your invites and wedding website should spell out:

• The destination, dates, and key events.
• What’s covered (e.g., meals at the reception) and what’s not (e.g., flights, extra excursions).

💡 Etiquette Tip: Be direct but kind! For example: “We can’t wait to celebrate with you in paradise! Please contact our travel agent for information for room rates and flight options.”

See what to include on Save the Dates!

7. Should we give our guests a plus-one?

I’m a full believer in giving your guests a plus one, especially for a destination wedding. I wouldn’t want to travel alone! 

I have so many stories of brides inviting guests with new partners or single guests who want to bring a friend, and I fully get that you may not want people you know at your wedding events. BUT! Those you invite are spending their time and money to attend your wedding. I wouldn’t personally exclude unknown guests, but I know brides who have. 

💡 Etiquette Tip: This is a touchy subject, but don’t exclude plus-ones on wedding events. IMO it’s in poor taste. You may not agree with me and that’s ok! From the perspective of your guest, I would feel shunned for having a guest that’s not welcome at any celebratory events. 

8. How do we handle kids?

Kid-free or kid-friendly? It’s your call! Just know you may have more no responses than yes if you exclude children. Either way, make your policy crystal clear.

• Kid-Free: Use phrases like “Adults-only celebration” or “Let’s make this a grown-ups getaway!” This is especially important if you are booking at an adults-only resort (make that clear on your Save the Dates!)
• Kid-Friendly: Provide info on babysitting services, kid-friendly activities, or family accommodations.

💡 Pro Tip: If kids are invited, consider setting up a kids’ table or activity zone during the reception.

9. Should we send save-the-dates earlier than usual?

Absolutely! For a destination wedding, give your guests as much notice as possible. Aim for:

• Save-the-Dates: 9-12 months in advance (ideally, the sooner the better! I always say 12 months is a good baseline, but as soon you know is best!)
• Invitations: 6-8 months before the wedding.

💡 Pro Tip: Include a wedding website link in your save-the-date so guests can start planning ASAP. Check out my guide on when to send save the dates for a destination wedding.

10. What if some guests can’t come?

Not everyone will be able to attend, and that’s okay. This is to be expected of destination weddings and it doesn’t mean those who can’t attend don’t care – it’s a major expense and time commitment! Here’s how to make them feel included:

• Live stream the ceremony.
• Send a sweet “wish you were here” note with a photo of the two of you.
• Host a casual celebration back home later.

💡 Etiquette Tip: Stay gracious and understanding—it’s a big ask to travel for a wedding! Don’t have your feelings hurt either – we had some family members who didn’t attend (or couldn’t attend) for personal or life reasons – and that’s ok! I promise you that you’ll have an amazing time with those who attend!

11. Do we need to plan activities for our guests?

Not necessarily, but it’s a nice gesture. A simple itinerary can go a long way! Keep in mind that this is also a vacation for your guests, so you want to keep the planned events at a minimum aside from your wedding events.

• Plan a welcome party or welcome dinner for your guests – this is great if not everyone knows each other and to kick off the wedding celebrations!
• Plan a group excursion for anyone who wants to join- either covered by you or as an optional excursion.
• Leave downtime for guests to explore on their own – provide a list of local excursions they can do if they’re looking to go off-resort.

💡 Pro Tip: Share a list of local attractions and must-see spots on your wedding website or Facebook group.

12. Is it okay to ask for gifts if guests are already travelling?

Short answer: Yes (we did not, since we were comfortable with asking guests to give a gift on top of paying for travel!)
Long answer: While gifts aren’t expected at a destination wedding, many guests will still want to celebrate you – whether it’s a card or a gift. 

• Suggest a honeymoon fund if you’d prefer cash over physical gifts.
• Include registry info on your wedding website, not your invites.

💡 Pro Tip: Let guests know their presence is the real gift—and mean it! We stated in our invitations that their presence is gift enough! If you do decide to leave it open for guests to give a gift, and don’t want to display a card box, nominate a responsible bridal party member or family member to be in charge of them.

13. Do you have a bridal shower if you’re having a destination wedding?

Absolutely—if you want to! A bridal shower is a chance to celebrate with loved ones who might not be able to attend the wedding. Here’s how to handle it:

• Keep it casual and intimate, especially if many guests are already travelling for the wedding.
• If you prefer, opt for a combined bridal shower and going-away party closer to the wedding date.

💡 Pro Tip: It is proper etiquette to invite those to a bridal party only if you’ve invited the same people to your wedding. However, if everyone in your circle knows you’re having an intimate wedding away with close family and friends, and you make it more of a going-away party, I think it’s acceptable to invite more people. 

15. Can we still have a traditional wedding party?

Of course! You can still have bridesmaids, groomsmen, or any roles you’d like. Just keep in mind:

• Travelling can be expensive, so avoid extravagant requirements.
• If your wedding party lives far away, consider skipping some pre-wedding events like bachelor/ette parties – it’s an added time and financial commitment for them – but that’s entirely up to you!

💡 Etiquette Tip: Be understanding if someone declines – it’s a lot to ask! I actually asked my mom to be my Matron-of-Honour. I’ve known brides that didn’t have a bridal party, to one bride having 20 (!!!) on EACH SIDE of their bridal party!

16. Should we have a symbolic or legal ceremony?

This depends on your destination’s marriage laws. Many couples opt for a symbolic ceremony at their destination and handle the legalities at home to simplify things.

• Symbolic ceremony: Easiest option and no added expenses.
• Legal ceremony: Added costs, more stipulations, and potential paperwork translations or blood tests needed.

See my guide to the differences between symbolic vs legal weddings.

💡 Pro Tip: Research the paperwork and waiting period requirements of your destination to decide what works best for you. If you’re still in the planning stages of your wedding and have your heart set on a legal ceremony, here are the easiest Caribbean islands to get married legally.

17. What if there’s bad weather on our wedding day?

Rain happens, but don’t stress! This is why having a backup option is so important. Understand what your wedding contract states about rain forecasts (specifically, at what point do they move your outdoor events indoors).

💡 Pro Tip: A rainy day can make for magical photos—just bring umbrellas and embrace the moment! Here are my top tips to help you be prepared in the event of unfavourable weather.

18. What should we pack for the wedding day?

For your destination wedding, pack the essentials for your big day in your carry-on, including:

• Wedding attire
• Rings
• Important documents (passports, vendor information, wedding planning paperwork)
• Any sentimental or heirloom items

💡 Pro Tip: Bring a mini emergency kit with things like stain remover, a sewing kit, and extra makeup for touch-ups. 

I’ve got you covered with the ultimate guide to what to pack for a destination wedding, as well as travel essentials you don’t want to leave home without!

19. Should we plan a rehearsal dinner?

A rehearsal dinner isn’t mandatory, but it sure does help to have an idea of the sequence of events for the wedding ceremony. Our resort didn’t provide this and we didn’t have one, but I wish we did. Even just to know who’s to walk when, and where to stand. It’s helpful! Plan an informal rehearsal – you don’t even have to do it over dinner – just ask your bridal party for a few minutes of their time to get a rundown on how the ceremony is to flow.

20. What’s the best way to communicate with guests?

Destination weddings often require lots of info, so clear communication is key.

• Create a wedding website with travel details, itineraries, and FAQs. Private Facebook groups are perfect for this!
• Use a group messaging app (like WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger) for updates.

💡 Pro Tip: Send email reminders at key milestones—six months out, one month out, and just before the wedding, if your entire guest list isn’t on Facebook. Include important details like what to pack for an all-inclusive resort, making sure their passport is valid, a resort map, etc!

21. Do we need to give welcome bags?

Welcome bags are a great way to say “thank you” to your guests! BUT they aren’t required by any means! Some couples do these in lieu of favours, or vice versa. Or they plan a group excursion, or nothing at all! There are no rules when it comes to what you have to do for a destination wedding.

If you DO decide to make welcome bags, some popular items (based on thousands of brides and the tens of times I’ve made them!) include:

• Travel essentials (mini sunscreen, hand sanitizer, OTC medication like Advil and Imodium, and snacks).
• A personalized itinerary with event details.
• A small gift, like a local souvenir or keepsake.

See my guide on what to include in destination wedding welcome bags!

💡 Etiquette Tip: If your budget is tight, a handwritten welcome note works just as well! Don’t feel like you need to make welcome bags. We did because I wanted to, and it’s so much fun making them!

22. Should we provide favours for our guests?

Favours aren’t mandatory, but they’re a nice way to thank guests for travelling. We opted for welcome bags instead of favours. If you do decide to give wedding favours, you can do it inexpensively and there are a ton of great ideas for destination wedding themed favours!

23. Should we hire a photographer or use a resort package?

While resorts often offer photography packages, hiring your own photographer can provide more personalized results.

• Look for local vendors who know the area best. Bringing photographers from home isn’t always legal or reliable.
• Check if your resort allows outside vendors—and what your outside vendor fees are for this.

💡 Pro Tip: My biggest regret was using our resort photographer. I wish I hired a professional local vendor. We had no idea who we were getting or what their skills were, and we paid the same (if not more) than what it would’ve cost to hire an outside vendor, even factoring in the outside vendor fee!