Questions Frequently Asked by Guests:

Can I bring a plus one if I was not given one — since it is so far away and I might not know anyone? Say what?! N-O, come on now, you know that is not cool! Would you want someone to show up at your wedding that you didn’t invite or even know? Please be considerate. The couple that has invited you has to pay for each guest for the ceremony and reception packages. Remember, you were invited to something, which makes you a guest. While I understand you might not want to travel alone, guests aren’t in the position to dictate to the couple who gets to be a part of their special day. This is also not about you. This is about the bride and groom. Reality check! (Sorry to be harsh, but I’ve seen this happen way too many times. #ToughLove)

Should the couple pay for my travel & accommodations? I understand this might put a dent in your budget, however; guests aren’t obligated to attend, so if you can’t afford to travel, please don’t feel pressured to do so and spend money! Do not let the bride and groom put the full court press on you. Now the answer to your question: no. A couple will host a welcome reception of some kind, maybe a few group activities and then, of course, the reception itself. Beyond that, it is going to vary couple to couple and budget to budget. You know your friends. If budget is a biggie, let them know. I always advocate for helping my VIP’s (ex: bridal party, grandparents etc…) out with travel, but in general, travel arrangements are up to the guests themselves.

Is it ok to stay somewhere other than the hotel/resort selected? Most couples try to book an alternative hotel if it’s in the states, especially if their venue is high-end, however, not everyone does. In regards to destination weddings in the Caribbean and Europe, it is not good etiquette to book outside of the group. You might have a bed and breakfast, points at another hotel, a favorite agent you use on your trips or even some type of vacation club; however, it goes back to the first question, this day (this weekend) is NOT about you. Your guests have picked that venue for a reason and its best to stay with them. It also can sometimes affect benefits that they get for booking so many rooms with their venue. However, if your budget does not allow it, it is not rude for you to stay at another location and pay the day fee that most resorts require of guests visiting the resort. You usually can get a day pass for a certain price. You might also want to consider that you could miss out on the activities the couple decides to throw and will be apart from other guests mingling throughout the day. If it is an all-inclusive resort, you might not be allowed to visit friends by the pool for the afternoon.

If the couple has a weekend itinerary planned, is it ok to not participate in all of them? I think this varies by couple. I love activities, and although I try to be a cruise director, I like to make sure that my guests have tons to do. If it were an informal get-together or something that didn’t require an RSVP, I would say its ok to skip it. On the other hand, if the couple decides to do an excursion, for example, a sunset cruise and you are in the headcount and don’t show, well, that would be considered rude.

Do I still need to get the couple a gift if I paid to travel to the wedding myself? Most couples only request your presence as their gift; however, the short answer is yes. Destination weddings do not really get you off the hook from giving a gift, but most couples do understand that it took a lot to be there. They also would rather have something on their honeymoon registry than for you to come all the way to Africa with antique chinaware. Be sure to leave your gift at home and either give it to them before you come or afterward. Wedding gifts really can be given to the couple within the first year of marriage—so don’t worry, you have a lot of time.

Do you want to honeymoon at your wedding destination? If you’re going as far as planning a destination wedding, chances are you’ll want to honeymoon in the same spot. But that’s not the case for every couple! Think about your dream honeymoon location, and then decide if that’s the same place you want to have your wedding. Some couples decide to get married somewhere a little closer to home so that friends and family can easily attend, and then have an international honeymoon with just the two of them. Or some couples want to make the most out of their travels, and get married somewhere in Europe and spend their honeymoon exploring nearby countries! Whatever you choose to do, make sure it’s everything you want and nothing you don’t.

“When should I book by?” The couple’s wedding website should indicate your booking deadline, but if you want the most options with the best rates, it’s best to book early. Since the bride and groom need to know who is attending in order to plan seating and meals, we recommend you make your room deposit as soon as you get the invitation, but at the minimum, book at least 6 months ahead so they can plan their wedding accordingly. ​

“What’s the best way to book my trip?” Most couples will provide you with specific booking details via their wedding website. This should include the room information and either prices or a quote form to fill out and submit to us. Amenities are based on how many rooms are booked, so making your reservations on time through the couple’s travel agent is important. It’s also important to book your rooms as soon as you know you can attend, so the couple isn’t scrambling to get things together at the last minute. Be kind, book early! ​

“How much will this cost?” Room rates are usually posted onto the couple’s wedding website. Occasionally, instead of rates, you’ll find a quote request form. To get an accurate quote from us, you’ll need to fill out and submit the form and we’ll reply with a custom quote. The more details you can provide, like how many nights you plan on staying, or where you’re flying from, will help us give you a more accurate cost. Typically for guests, a destination wedding can cost from $1,000-$1,500 per person depending on some of the details noted above. This covers your flights, accommodations, and food/drink for 3 or 4 nights. ​

“What if I can’t afford it?” The bride and groom understand not everyone will be able to make the trip. Just be sure to let them know as soon as you can. ​

“Is there anything that’s not included”? Although tips are technically included in your resort package, you’ll want to bring some 1’s and 5’s for the bartenders and servers taking care of you throughout your stay. Keep in mind, your shuttle driver isn’t a part of the resort staff, so bring some cash for your transfer driver. Additional excursions or spa treatments are also not included and can be paid with a credit card at the hotel. ​

“What if I find a cheaper price online?” We work hard to ensure you receive the best rates possible. If you do happen to find a more affordable option online, just let us know and we’ll see if we can get the same price. This allows us to include you with the rest of the wedding party, so you all get the same group benefits. ​

“What should I wear to the wedding?”  Be sure to dress light and breezy, since the air will be warm and humid. For the ladies, nice sundress or capris with sandals is ideal. For the men, khaki slacks, linen shirts, and nice sandals as well. You won’t see many suits or ties, so unless otherwise noted by the bride and groom, keep it simple. If you’re still unsure what to wear, be sure to ask the couple for suggestions. ​

“Should I bring a gift?” Gifts are not necessary for a destination wedding. Some couples tell their guests making the trip out is a gift in itself, but a card is still a nice touch. We can always add a tour or spa treatment to the couple’s itinerary, if you want to give them something to enjoy at the resort. Otherwise, boxed gifts or cards with money should be given to them once you return home. ​

“What if I run into problems?” The best thing to do if you run into room or flight issues is to come to us! We are available by phone or email and our travel partners have 24/7 help desks you have access to. Please avoid getting the couple involved, as they will already have enough on their plate. Just be polite and patient, and things will get worked out as soon as possible.