Destination Wedding Etiquette - What Happens in the Planning Stages
Etiquette is important for all types of weddings. Of course, things have changed over the centuries and traditions have become modernized but still, there are activities, customs, duties, and obligations on which one should focus when being married. Common courtesies and general sensitivity to others while planning a destination wedding are particularly important. The wedding guests will be out of their element both location-wise and culturally.
Although destination wedding basically means being married somewhere other than one's own locality, we are only going to discuss long distance destination weddings. We will review specifically, etiquette for weddings outside of one's own country and culture, as those weddings are the most difficult for guests.
There are many areas where the bride and groom are expected to lead or help their guests when traveling outside the country. Normally a local wedding would only require handwritten maps to the church and the reception but a map would hardly be of any use to someone who has never been to the destination. In addition, guests will be unsure of the surroundings and will require details on weather, terrain, and formality of the wedding service. Wedding guests should also receive information on traveling as it relates to designated airlines, hotels, alternative accommodations, and the length of the stay.
The wedding party will have different duties at a destination wedding than one at home. For example, they might meet and greet at the airport, they most likely will not need to decorate the getaway car, and most of the arranging and organizing will have been done by the location or whomever the couple has contracted.
Other parts of the wedding process may change a little as well. All guests will attend events that normally would be attended by select people. The rehearsal dinner or party might be a good example. Usually, only the parents and wedding party attend but at a destination wedding, especially if the guest list is very small, all guests might attend.
Lastly, there are very specific ways in which to handle the planning of a destination wedding, the events as they unfold at the destination, and the activities upon the return home. The bride and groom should be well organized throughout the whole process, in fact playing the role of leader while at the same time being considerate of their guests in their decision making. Communication is very important when planning a wedding abroad and imparting information in a timely manner is crucial to a successful trip.
Although destination wedding basically means being married somewhere other than one's own locality, we are only going to discuss long distance destination weddings. We will review specifically, etiquette for weddings outside of one's own country and culture, as those weddings are the most difficult for guests.
There are many areas where the bride and groom are expected to lead or help their guests when traveling outside the country. Normally a local wedding would only require handwritten maps to the church and the reception but a map would hardly be of any use to someone who has never been to the destination. In addition, guests will be unsure of the surroundings and will require details on weather, terrain, and formality of the wedding service. Wedding guests should also receive information on traveling as it relates to designated airlines, hotels, alternative accommodations, and the length of the stay.
The wedding party will have different duties at a destination wedding than one at home. For example, they might meet and greet at the airport, they most likely will not need to decorate the getaway car, and most of the arranging and organizing will have been done by the location or whomever the couple has contracted.
Other parts of the wedding process may change a little as well. All guests will attend events that normally would be attended by select people. The rehearsal dinner or party might be a good example. Usually, only the parents and wedding party attend but at a destination wedding, especially if the guest list is very small, all guests might attend.
Lastly, there are very specific ways in which to handle the planning of a destination wedding, the events as they unfold at the destination, and the activities upon the return home. The bride and groom should be well organized throughout the whole process, in fact playing the role of leader while at the same time being considerate of their guests in their decision making. Communication is very important when planning a wedding abroad and imparting information in a timely manner is crucial to a successful trip.
No comments