Here are 11 ways to get you guests to not only attend your destination wedding but to have a fantastic time while they are there:
1. Once you have decided on the location and the date of the wedding, send out a “Save the Date” e-mail or card. For best results, try and do this a minimum of 12 months prior to your wedding so guests can prepare and plan accordingly to attend.
2. In choosing a location, make sure that it is one that your guests will enjoy. Consider the cost, the travel time to get there, and the activities available for the guest once they do get there. You may enjoy the rustic Eco Lodge in the middle of nowhere but your guests might not. Try to plan a location where the travelling time is within 3 to 8 hours. Many of your friends and family will not want to spent two out of seven days sitting on a plane or in airports waiting for flights. You might love “ XXX Luxurious 5 Star Resort” but if the price is astronomical, a lot of you guests will not be pleased. Make sure that the activities that take place at the resort and in the area, are ones that everyone will enjoy. If most of your female friends love shopping, and the closest shopping area is 75 miles away, some girls could go into withdrawal. Your golfing friends may not be happy either, if they have to go without a game for 7 days.
3. Work with a travel agent who is familiar with destination weddings and planning travel associated with destination weddings. Such a person can arrange group rates for your entire party as well as give you valuable advice in making your special day fantastic. You may think that the resort you saw on the internet is a real find, only to find out when you get there that the service is terrible, or the food is really bad! You can do it yourself, but is it worth it? You have heard the horror stories where reservations were dropped by the hotel or passengers have missed flights with no emergency number. You don’t want that to happen to you, especially at your destination wedding! Make sure there is someone who will be looking after you and each of your guests in case something goes wrong.
4. Think about saving money for your guests by choosing an All Inclusive package which includes airfare and hotel accommodation as well as food and drinks. It is usually way cheaper than purchasing these items separately.
5. Try to choose a resort in the area that is more economical as some of your guests will not have the resources to stay at the more expensive resort you have chosen for your wedding. They will appreciate the fact that you have given them an option.
6. Keep you guests informed about your wedding. Send out frequent updates. You may even want to create a free wedding website complete with wedding details, personal stories, registry information, and a photo gallery. Use a free site such as http://www.honeymoonwishes.com/ on the http://www.delsoldestinationweddings.com/ website, http://www.ewedding,com/, http://www.momentville.com%20or/ The Knot Wedding website at http://www.theknot.com/. Another site for a small cost is www.weddingtracker.com. A lot or couples are using a Facebook Fan Page and finding that it works well.
7. Arrange to have the resort hand out an itinerary to your guests at check-in time or have them hand delivered to each room by a member of your wedding party. It is also recommended that you hand out a special welcome bag as a “special thank you for coming” which can include such items, as flip-flops, suntan lotion, mosquito repellent, bottles of water, candy, CDs of local music, small mementos, fun items, or a local craft. See the September Blog on this site called "Welcome Bags for Your Wedding Guests".
8. Plan activities which your guests will enjoy. You are asking your friends and family to spend a fair amount of money as well as giving up their vacation time to be with you so you want them to enjoy themselves. Create an itinerary that is suitable for all age groups. Make sure that the events you plan do not always start early in the morning as many of your “night hawk” friends will wants to catch some extra shut eye. Also make sure to give everyone some free time so they can do some things on their own.
9. Plan a welcome party with local food and music as a great way to get everybody to meet each other and begin the week in a fun-filled way.
10. Be a gracious and thoughtful host. Remember that the people you have invited to your wedding are your guests and it is your job to ensure that they enjoy themselves and have a good time. They have given of their vacation time and resources to be with you on your wedding day, and you want to make sure that they know how much you appreciate them for being there. Thank them for coming and tell them how much it means to you both. Don’t be resentful that you do not have of lot of private time as a couple. You have the rest of your life to spend together. Include a surprise during the week to add to the excitement.
11. Enjoy this special time in paradise sharing your vacation with your best friends and family. Remember to thank people for all of the things they have done for you. Make this event memorable and one that will be talked about for years when your guests tell others what a “blast” they had at your destination wedding.
Cathy MacRae is a certified wedding and event planner, and owner of Creative Weddings and Occasions and Del Sol Destination Weddings. Located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, she plans wedding for couples in and around the Calgary and Banff area. She is also a destination wedding and honeymoon travel specialist helping couples plan their weddings in paradise all around the world. For more information about planning your own wedding or for advice from Cathy, please contact her at cathy@delsoldestinationweddings.com.To use this article on your own blog posting, please be sure to include this signature file.
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