Etiquette & Guests

Destination Wedding Etiquette

Our etiquette experts answer all of your destination wedding-related questions.

Q: My fiancé wants a giant wedding and reception; I prefer a small beach wedding with family. To compromise, I suggested going away for an intimate ceremony and then throwing a big bash when we return. Is my plan tacky? I don't want it to look like we're just in it for the gifts.
Q: We're getting married in the Caribbean. Is it rude not to see our guests after the big day?
Q: What do we do about the people we don't invite to our destination wedding or who can't attend?
Q: We are having a destination wedding. Do we have to pay for our guests' plane flights and/or hotel rooms?
Q: How do we politely let guests who come to our destination wedding know that we want to be alone after the reception?
Q: I'm getting married in Jamaica. Do I have to pick up the tab for my bridesmaids' airfares?
Q: How much information goes in a destination wedding invitation? We're hosting several parties, but our guests will have to pick up other costs, including their hotel.
Q: I'm having a destination wedding. One of my bridesmaids has confided that she can't afford to make the trip. Should I pay for her? I really want her to be there, but it seems unfair to the others.
Q: I have to fly to my wedding. Whats the best way to transport my dress on the plane?
Q: We're having a destination wedding. Do we have to cover the bridal party's meals? That would really throw our budget out of whack.
Q: Our dream is to get married at an exclusive private-island resort, but there are no other accommodations nearby. Is it rude to expect people to fork over $375 per night (and that's just for a garden room!)?
Q: How do we tell guests we aren't paying for their hotel rooms?
Q: My fiancé and I are having a destination wedding—how do we create the guest list? Should we still send invitations to everyone on the save-the-date list, even if some have told us they can't come?
Q: I've been invited to a destination wedding, and while I'm excited to go, it's going to a cost a lot. Do I still give a wedding gift to the couple too?

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