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Destination Wedding Etiquette
Wondering when is the best time to have a destination wedding? How much in advance should you inform the guests? Who should pay for accommodations? Here’s everything you should know about destination wedding etiquette.

When to have a destination wedding?
This depends on your availability and schedules, but it also depends on seasonal changes. If you want to have an outdoor festivity, check the average rainfall by month and make sure you aren’t planning your wedding in the middle of monsoon or hurricane season. Be aware of tourism fluctuations. High season means expensive booking rates and also congested sights. Low season means closed hotspots and empty streets.
When to notify the guests?
You should send save the date cards 8-12 months before the wedding. Invitations should be sent 3-4 months before the wedding.
Who should pay for accommodations?
Guests should pay for their transportation expenses and personal lodging – but it’s very important that you make this as clear as possible. Provide booking websites and recommendations for accommodations.
Should you help the guests to book travel?
You don’t have to, but it makes the process easier. It’s also a nice gesture. Enlist a travel agent to help with travel info and group reservations. Travel agent will find the best deals, but also upgrades and luxury treatments. Start a group chat or a Facebook group, so everyone can make plans for travel and share flight deals. Provide the itinerary to keep everyone fully informed and on schedule.
Should I have the wedding registry?
Destination wedding etiquette states that you shouldn’t have the wedding registry. Utilize the wedding website or invitations to let the guests know that their presence is the best gift. If you want to have a wedding registry, make sure to have gifts shipped to your home, not brought to the venue. You can also ask for virtual gifts – donations to a honeymoon fund, gift cards… Some resorts have their own registry, for on-site experiences.
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