[Editor's Note: Our guest e-zine author, Muriel MacRae, is the owner of Del Sol Travel as well as my business partner at Del Sol Destination Weddings. She has been helping couples plan and organize their dreams weddings throughout the world in exotic locations, such as Mexico, the Caribbean, and Costa Rica. An expert in terms of dealing with some of the challenges of group travel, she is well versed in finding resorts that perfectly match the needs and wants of her clients. Furthermore, her expertise in wedding planning makes her more than just your regular travel agent.]
Every couple who is planning a destination wedding worries about getting their guests to attend their destination wedding. Will they like the location? Does it cost too much? Am I imposing on them to expect them to travel so far? Will they have a good time?Here are ten ways to get you guests to not only attend your destination but to have a fantastic time while they are there:
- 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. [Editor's note: The more time your guests have to plan ahead and save, the more likely they are to be able to join you for the celebration.]
- 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 three to eight hours and with a limited number of flight connections whenever possible. Many of your friends and family will not want to spend two out of seven days sitting on a plane or in airports waiting for flights. You might have always dreamed of staying at a certain five-star luxurious resort, but if the price is astronomical, a lot of your guests will not be pleased. Be sure to also check that a variety of activities will be offered at the resort or can at least be found in the nearby area. For example, 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 won't be happy either, if they have to go without a game for seven days.
- 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 all yourself, but is it worth it? You have heard the horror stories where reservations were dropped by the hotel or passengers have missed flights because there wasn't enough time left for proper connections. You don’t want that to happen to you or any of your family members, 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.
- 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.
- 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 pricey resort you have chosen for your wedding. They will appreciate the fact that you have given them an option. [Editor's Note: Although many of you want to keep costs down for your guests, you do have to remember that there is often a huge difference in resort ratings between here and in the Caribbean and Mexico. While a three-star resort in the United States or Canada might work perfectly well for that budget-conscious couple, few people would be satisfied with less than 4.5 stars in the Caribbean or Mexico.]
- Keep your guests updated 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 the link for Honeymoon Wishes on either Del Sol Destination Weddings or Creative Weddings and Occasions websites, http://www.ewedding.com/ , http://www.momentville.com/, or The Knot Wedding website at http://www.theknot.com/. Another site for a small cost is http://www.weddingtracker.com/. As well, a lot of couples are using a Facebook Fan Page and finding that also works well.
- Arrange to have the resort hand out an itinerary to your guests at check-in time or be 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, small mementos, fun items, or a local craft.
- 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.
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.- 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.
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 guest tell others what a “blast” they had at your destination wedding.
If you want your guests to have a great time at your destination wedding and are not sure where to start, let us help you with your travel arrangements and planning by calling 403-477-0643 or e-mail Del Sol Destination Weddings to set up your FREE initial consultation.
If you wish further assistance in planning your wedding or decorating for you big day, please contact Cathy at cathy@creativeweddingsandoccasions.com.
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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@creativeweddingsandoccasions.com .
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