Five Travel Tips for Destination Wedding Guests
An invitation to a destination wedding is the perfect excuse to take a vacation, but traveling for a wedding is a little more complicated than a regular trip.
Here are five essential tips to help you navigate a destination wedding as a guest.
1. Book as early as possible
On average, it costs $3,400 for a 4-5 night trip to attend a destination wedding. But you can save money by booking your flights and accommodation as early as possible.
The later you leave it, the more expensive it’s likely to be – and you may not be able to secure suitable accommodation close to the venue. Plus, booking early often only requires a deposit, so you’ll still have plenty of time to save up the final balance.
2. Consider the couple’s accommodation suggestions first
Sometimes couples reserve accommodation for their guests because they can secure discounted rates for bulk bookings.
If this is the case, they’ll probably include the details in the wedding invitation with instructions on how to book and pay for your room. This can be a great way to save money while staying somewhere that’s conveniently situated for the venue.
However, if you’re working with a very tight budget, you might be able to find cheaper options elsewhere. Check out the pricing of the recommended accommodation first, then do your own research.
3. Think about how you’ll get around
As with any vacation, it’s important to think about how you’ll get around once you arrive.
Most importantly, ask yourself how you’ll reach the wedding venue from your accommodation, if you’re not staying on-site. You’ll also need to think about how you’ll explore in your free time outside of the wedding, so it;s important to research the local area and its transport links.
For example, the popular wedding destination of Gibraltar is just 6.8km², which means it’s very easy to get around on foot.
However, if the wedding is set to take place at a rural venue in a larger country such as Tuscany, it might be wise to rent a car.
4. Check local weather before you choose an outfit
Many couples choose a destination wedding because they want to enjoy a totally different climate than what they have at home.
This might mean dazzling sunshine and blue skies, or frosty temperatures and snowy vistas. Check the average temperature, rainfall, and sunshine hours of the destination well before you choose an outfit, so that you can dress accordingly and avoid feeling uncomfortable on the day.
Climates can vary widely depending on the specific time of year you’ll be visiting too, so checking the forecast is essential.
5. Leave your gift at home
Newlywed couples don’t want to have to transport a huge pile of gifts home with them, so there’s no need to bring a gift to a destination wedding.
Even cards and checks should be sent to the couple’s home address for them to open when they return from their honeymoon.
It’s worth checking, but you might not have to buy a gift at all. It’s becoming increasingly uncommon to ask for gifts, especially at destination weddings – many couples understand the expense involved for guests and see their attendance as a gift enough.
With $150 being the average spend on a wedding gift, it’s an awful lot to expect from a guest who is already investing hundreds or thousands in travel and accommodation.
Make the most of being a destination wedding guest
Destination weddings might be costly to attend, but these tips can help you secure the best prices and have an incredible trip. After all, the opportunity to explore a new place while seeing your loved ones tie the knot is a priceless experience.
