Your destination wedding requires much more planning for your guests than a local one. They have to save for the flights, research resorts or cruises, and make arrangements for the kids. To ease this burden, you need to send out notes much earlier than a traditional wedding.
Are Save the Date Cards Required?
Some couples are skipping save the date cards because they don’t want to get locked into who they’re inviting several months out. For a destination wedding, though, save the date cards aren’t optional. You can send these out at least six months before your wedding, but preferably eight months to a year.
Don’t worry. Your save the date cards don’t have to be extremely detailed. They just need to announce your wedding and provide the date and location. This way, if you’re getting married in the Italy in June, your guests can start pricing flights to your destination.
How Far Back Should I Send My Invitations?
The average wedding invitation is sent eight weeks before the ceremony, but destination wedding invitations need to be sent out three months before. Not only does this provide more notice to your guests who might have misplaced your save the dates, it also helps you plan for the number of people in attendance.
Some resorts and cruise lines offer group discounts for weddings. If you know a certain number of guests are staying, then you can book the group rate. Your travel agent can definitely arrange your group booking.
Should I Add an Invitation Enclosure?
Enclosure cards provide information about the country, a schedule of events, and different resort or cruise options. You don’t have to become the personal concierge for your travelers, but you should list a few hotel options for different price ranges (unless you’re reserving a block of rooms). Some couples even research popular flights and list the airlines to help their guests plan.
When Do I Create a Wedding Website?
Most couples create a wedding website shortly after their engagement. For your destination wedding, you can list out more resort, cruise and flight options, along with restaurants and activities in the area. Don’t forget important information like transportation to and from the airport, or your guests might get stranded.
Your wedding website URL should be in your save the date cards and your invitations. Many couples prefer them over bulky enclosures. However, you should still check to make sure your less tech-savvy guests are making their accommodations.
Not all couples are planners, but failing to send out notes and invites early enough could mean someone important will be missing from your special day. Ask your wedding planner for help creating an appropriate timeline for your wedding to-dos to ensure that this doesn’t happen.