Over the last few years destination weddings have become uber popular. Usually destination weddings attract couples looking for adventure, or couple who share a passion for travel, or even just a desire for a more unique and intimate wedding. That being said, destination weddings can be quite the commitment for your guests so you want to make sure that you make the experience a wonderful one with a warm welcome!
There are many ways to share and keep your guests feeling though of throughout the entire wedding planning journey.
Wedding Apps & Website
You are going to want to start off with a wedding website or eve, downloadable app to follow your invitations/ save the dates. Unlike official invites, websites are meant to be updated. This is a great way to post contact information of your travel agency. You can also include other important facts such as:
Important dates/ times/ events
Hotel info
Destination cool facts/tips/info
Excursions available
What to pack guides (pinterest has plenty checklists to guide your guests)
Wedding party info – introduce your bride tribe and groomsmen!
Countdown to pump up the crowd
Welcome Bags - Local Goodies
When traveling to another city or country most of us want to truly experience popular dishes or foods that may not be available to us outside of that travel. To kick-off your guests’ experience, place some local goodies in their rooms or welcome gifts. Small snacks, drinks, and treats will make it that much more of an authentic experience to remember. Other items such as sun protection, doubled-walled cups, and bug repellent are great ideas for tropical climates. Disposable cameras (some are even waterproof) are also a hit, let your guests take pictures throughout their trip that they can share with you later on.
Paper goods
Welcome, what to do, contacts, excursion packages or details, Map of the resort
A welcome card /message to greet family and friends upon arrival to their rooms is a thoughtful way to begin their trip. Paper goods are interactive and fun ways to keep guests in the loop. Sometimes hotels can provide you with a printable map so your guests know where amenities are in the resort, or emergency contacts should they have questions during their stay. Don’t forget to include a hard copy of your wedding itinerary and any events leading up to or following the wedding that guest should know of. Feel free to even add in a custom door hanger for those guests that may need some extra sleep some mornings.
Welcome Reception Entertainment
Many destination packages offer welcome receptions where you and your guests gather for some apps and drinks and share excitement of the festivities coming up. This is also an opportunity to arrange some local talent to share their culture with you. If you are getting married in Mexico , bring in a mariachi band. If your destination is Jamaica, invite in a steel drum band. Or if you are in Hawaii, teach your guests how to luau!
With all these small and grand ways to welcome your guests to your destination wedding, they will leave with a true authentic experience, and a feeling of appreciation all trip long. Check out our pinterest board on “Destination Wedding Welcomes” to get more ideas on how to welcome your family and friends to your wedding.
Happy Planning!
Dianne